Yorkshire's first whisky distillery's limited edition single cask bottlings

The team at Yorkshire's first whisky distillery have launched two single cask bottlings of its maturing spirit ahead of the launch of its single malt whisky this autumn.

Spirit of Yorkshire's Distillery Projects 005 and 006 are a very limited expression of the Hunmanby, North Yorkshire distillery's collectable spirits and, following a limited online pre-release, went on sale in the distillery shop on 3^rdAugust, with some stock held back for its open day on 10^thAugust.

Of the launch, Spirit of Yorkshire Whisky Director, Joe Clark said: "Our Distillery Projects range is all about exploring what our spirit can be. Pre-whisky, we've been expressing this through our ‘maturing malt.' Our first four releases (DP 001-004) formed a mini-series, which looked at our different cask types, distillation techniques, and how our two spirit styles (pot and column still distilled) marry together.

Distillery Projects 005 and 006 are a little bit different and really very special. They're still ‘maturing malts' but this time they're single cask bottlings: one from an STR cask that previously contained Rioja, and one from a Fino sherry butt. We only have a select number of these types of casks filled here at the distillery meaning that these releases are incredibly rare."

Distillery Projects 005 (DP005) is a pot distilled spirit that has matured in the former wine cask since October 2016 and is described by Mr. Clark as ‘soft, floral and sweet with notes of honey, orange chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla buttercream, raspberry sherbet and biscuit.' The cask held Rioja wine for five years. Once the wine was disgorged, the cask was reconditioned by some of the best coopers in Jerez, by shaving, toasting and re-charring (STR) which meant that it has retained much of the fruit-driven flavours from the wine but has also allowed sweetness and spice from the oak to keep shining through.

Using an STR cask was pioneered by the distillery's revered whisky consultant, the late Dr. Jim Swan, as it balances the influences of both new and old oak. The DP005 distillery shop's allocation sold out within four hours, as did the stock that was held back for the open day.

Distillery Projects 006(DP006) was distilled in the column still and the former Fino sherry butt was filled with spirit in September 2016. Its tasting notes include ‘light, fragrant and spicy, with notes of grapefruit, fudge, baked apple, ginger biscuits, pineapple, coconut and black pepper.'

The Fino butt was selected as Fino sherry is a dry, light, delicate style of sherry that allows the distillery character and the subtle characteristics of the column spirit to shine through and creates a different flavour profile to other types of ‘heavier' sherry styles, like Oloroso or Pedro Jiminez.

Of DP006, Mr. Clark said: "Exploring the best ways to demonstrate the subtle characteristics of our column-distilled new make spirit, we were excited by the results from our 2016 first-fill ex Fino sherry butts. With only three barrels set aside, and one now used, it's a sought-after and rare single cask liquid."

There are limited supplies of DP006 available exclusively from the distillery shop. It costs £39.95 for a 50ml bottle and is limited to two per person. As demand is still high for this remaining bottling, it is advisable to call ahead on 01723 891758 to check stocks before travelling.

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. The distillery is a true field to bottle setup and boasts some of the most impressive distilling equipment in the country, includingtwo of the largest Forsyth pot stills operating in the UK outside of Scotland.

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Photograph caption: Spirit of Yorkshire's Maturing Malts - DP005 and DP006 Sell out maturing malts from Yorkshire

For more information or to arrange an interview with Joe Clark, Tom Mellor or David Thompson, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on;

Direct line:01430 871360

Mobile:07971 961574

E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk

Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk

Notes to editors

1. For more information about Spirit of Yorkshire, please visit https://www.spiritofyorkshire.com/
2. 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; 11am, 1pm,  and 3pm. Sunday; 11am and 1pm. Booking is advisable by calling 01723 891758.
3. For more information about events at the distillery, please visit https://www.spiritofyorkshire.com/distillery-events-i34