North Yorkshire malt whisky distillery wins prestigious VisitEngland accolade
Yorkshire's first malt whisky distillery team is celebrating after winning a coveted tourism award.
Hunmanby-based Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery scored highly to beawardedVisitEnglandQuality Assured Visitor Attraction status and a subsequent Gold Award for its exemplary performance.
Feedback from the assessor included: "Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery has achieved an outstanding overall percentage score of 94% at this quality assessment. Two sections scored a rare 100%, with all the areas scoring very good or excellent quality standards.
"The most positive aspects at this assessment were: the excellent utilisation of social media; the outstanding TripAdvisor review profile; the fascinating guided tour and sampling session; the superb cafe; the excellent gift shop; and the outstanding performance of the staff."
Of the news, Spirit of Yorkshire's MD and Co-Founder, David Thompson said:
"It's a testament to our great team that we have achieved the outstanding score which resulted in our assessor recommending us for a Gold Award based on the quality of our visitor experience.
"Our aim is to put Yorkshire on the UK and world malt whisky-making map. Being one of only four gold award winners in Yorkshire and the only 100% whisky distillery in England to win gold stands us in good stead to build on our visitor offering that includes whisky tours, tastings, refreshments, events and distilling experiences."
The VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme is a quality-based assessment, and the accreditation reflects the visitor experience and the quality of the product and services offered by the attraction and its staff. It includes an assessment of the attraction itself, cleanliness, catering, staff and the visitor experience.
Home to Filey Bay Single Malt Whisky, Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery was launched in 2016 and is a collaboration between farmer and brewer, Tom Mellor from Wold Top Brewery and his businessman friend, David Thompson. The pair have invested significantly to follow their dream of creating a Yorkshire whisky that doesn't simply replicate Scotch. Spirit of Yorkshire is only one of a handful of distilleries worldwide that grows 100% of the regeneratively farmed barley used to make its whisky.
Ends
Photograph caption:Left to right:Amanda Cousins, Naomi Thorp, Millie Wroot and James Whitaker Spirit of Yorkshire team members
For more information or to arrange an interview with David Thompson, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on;
Direct line:01430 871360
Mobile:07971 961574
E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk
Notes to editors