Yorkshire's first whisky distillery reaches the final of local awards

The team at Hunmanby based business, Spirit of Yorkshire are celebrating after reaching the final in two categories of the Toast of the Coast awards.

Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery has been shortlisted in the Best Attraction and the Best Filey Business in the awards scheme that celebrates the best people and businesses around the Yorkshire coast.

Of the news, Spirit of Yorkshire's co-founder and director, David Thompson said: "We have worked hard over the last 12 months to put the distillery on the tourist map, so we're very pleased and proud to have our efforts rewarded with a place in the final."

Hosted by Yorkshire Coast Radio in partnership with Lloyd Dowson and SIV Scarborough Spa, the Toast of the Coast Awards winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at Scarborough Spa on 21^stSeptember. Live music will be provided during the event by X Factor winner Ben Haenow and by The Talent at the aftershow party.

Spirit of Yorkshire was launched in 2016 and is a collaboration between farmer and brewer, Tom Mellor from Wold Top Brewery and business partner, David Thompson. The pair have invested significantly to follow their dream of creating a Yorkshire whisky that doesn't simply replicate Scotch.

In addition to distilling whisky and conducting guided tours, Spirit of Yorkshire is home to the Pot Still Coffee Shop that serves a variety of home cooked food and hosts regular events including fortnightly Jazz and Blues nights, monthly Distillery Sessions and special events. Forthcoming events include Distillery Sessions with Carrie Martin on 31^stAugust and a ‘Pot Still Pop Up'whisky-inspired three course mealfrom Birds on the Loose on 11^thOctober.

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Photo:David Thompson Spirit of Yorkshire director David Thompson

For more information or to arrange an interview withDirector and co-founder, David Thompson, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on

Direct line:01430 871360

Mobile:07971 961574

E mail:traceybaty@three60 marketing.co.uk

Web:http://www.three60marketing.co.uk/

Notes to editors

1. For more information about Spirit of Yorkshire, please visit https://www.spiritofyorkshire.com/
2. For more information about the Toast of the Coast awards, please visithttps://www.toastofthecoastawards.com/
3. The Distillery and Pot Still Coffee Shop are open 7 days a week; 9.30am-5pm, Monday-Saturday and 10am-3pm on a Sunday. Tours run daily all year round at the following times...Monday-Saturday; 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. Sunday; 12pm and 2pm. Booking is advisable by calling 01723 891758.
4. For more information about the fortnightly Jazz and Blues and the monthly distillery sessions, please visit  https://www.spiritofyorkshire.com/distillery-events-i12
5. In February 2018, Spirit of Yorkshire won VisitEngland Welcome Award in the Attractions Accolades in appreciation of the outstanding experiences they have provided since they opened their visitor attraction in April 2017. They also won the Best Tourism & Hospitality Business at the Bridlington and Yorkshire Coast Chamber Awards in October 2017.
6. The Spirit of Yorkshire's logo depicts a gannet. The team at Spirit of Yorkshire identifies with the fearless, graceful and purposeful birds that have prospered at nearby Bempton Cliffs for many years. In the same way that the gannets have a homing instinct, wherever the team roam to explore new ideas, they will always return to where Yorkshire's first whisky was born.