White Peak Distillery

What White Peak Distillery does

White Peak Distillery Ltd is a privately-held, founder-owned craft distillery founded in 2016 and operated by co-founders Max and Claire Vaughan from the historic Derwent Wire Works, a World Heritage Site in Ambergate, Derbyshire. The company produces English single malt whisky under the Wire Works brand (Bourbon Barrel, Caduro, Port Cask, Necessary Evil Finish limited editions), award-winning dry gin under the Shining Cliff label (Original and Citrus expressions), and a cask-aged rum from South American panela. All production — mashing, fermentation, distillation, maturation and bottling — takes place onsite, supported by proprietary techniques including STR (Shaved, Toasted, Re-charred) cask conditioning, a 30-day fermentation, and a circular collaboration with Thornbridge Brewery using its spent yeast for fermentation and stout casks for finishing.

The company monetises through a hybrid model: direct-to-consumer e-commerce on its own Shopify-style storefront, on-site retail at The Wire Works (Tue–Sat), ticket-based distillery tours and experiences (Distillery Tour, Whisky Tour, Warehouse Tour, Yellow Wood outdoor events), UK wholesale into retail stockists and on-trade bars, and export to five international markets (Japan, Singapore, Germany, Taiwan, Italy) handled through UK trade partners. Limited releases are allocated via the Bevvy App ballot to manage demand, and gift sets/accessories (gift boxes, canvas bags, branded glassware) provide incremental ASP. Pricing sits in the £23–£69 per bottle range with cask-strength and gift SKUs commanding the upper tier.

White Peak has been an active product launch and brand-building story since its inaugural single malt release in 2022 (whose first bottle set a £9,900 world-record charity auction), with a dense awards track record (Best World Whisky 2025, Whisky Exchange Whisky of the Year 2026, Best English Whisky Distillery 2024, multiple IWSC and World Whiskies Awards golds). It raised approximately £1.6M–£1.76M on Crowdcube in 2021 on top of £1.4M of founder investment, and is currently extending its Provenance core range (Calvados Arrivée) while deepening the Thornbridge ecosystem partnership — though headcount remains in the 1–10 range, keeping production firmly in craft, single-batch scale.

Name

White Peak Distillery

Legal name

White Peak Distillery Ltd

Website

https://whitepeakdistillery.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

White Peak Distillery is an independent, founder-owned craft distillery at Derwent Wire Works in Derbyshire, producing Wire Works English single malt whisky, Shining Cliff gin and White Peak rum via DTC e-commerce, on-site tours, UK retail and exports to five international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Distilleries (31214)

akta.pro primary industry

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

Keywords

• Craft spirits production
• Single malt whisky
• Distillery experiences
• Cask-aged rum
• Botanical gin

Headquarters

HQ city

Abergavenny

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Spirits Sales: Direct-to-consumer and wholesale sales of whisky, gin, and rum products through e-commerce, distillery shop, and UK/international stockists.
2. Tours and Experiences: Revenue from distillery tours, whisky tours, warehouse tours, and special events like Yellow Wood sessions and Whisky in the Woods.
3. Vouchers and Gift Products: Sale of gift vouchers for tours and events, along with merchandise including glasses, bags, and key rings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

White Peak Distillery is a craft distillery based at the historic Wire Works in Ambergate, Derbyshire, producing single malt English whisky (Wire Works), Derbyshire dry gin (Shining Cliff), and cask-aged rum (White Peak) using full life-cycle onsite production from mashing to bottling. The distillery also offers paid visitor experiences including distillery tours, whisky tastings, warehouse tours, and outdoor Yellow Wood events.

Product overview

White Peak Distillery is a craft spirits producer based at The Wire Works in Ambergate, Derbyshire. The company's product portfolio centres on three core spirit categories: Wire Works Whisky (Derbyshire's first single malt whisky, lightly peated expressions matured in various cask types including ex-bourbon, STR, and port casks), Shining Cliff Gin (award-winning Derbyshire dry gin available in Original and Citrus expressions), and White Peak Rum (cask-aged rum made from South American panela). The distillery also offers experiential products including distillery tours, whisky experiences, and Yellow Wood outdoor music events. Supporting accessories include gift boxes, branded glassware, and merchandise. The company operates from Derwent Wire Works, a historic industrial site on the edge of Shining Cliff Woods, and exports to Japan, Singapore, Germany, Taiwan, and Italy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wire Works: Core single malt English whisky range named after the former Wire Works industrial site. Includes Bourbon Barrel, Caduro, Port Cask, and limited editions like Necessary Evil Finish.
• Shining Cliff Gin
• White Peak Rum

Products and services

• Wire Works Whisky Derbyshire's first single malt whisky, named after the former Johnson & Nephew Wire Works site where the distillery operates. Lightly-peated expressions matured in ex-bourbon, STR, and port casks, fully distilled, matured, and bottled onsite at The Wire Works in Ambergate, Derbyshire.
• Wire Works Bourbon Barrel Wire Works Single Malt English Whisky matured exclusively in premium ex-bourbon barrels from Heaven Hill Distillery, bottled at 53.4% ABV, natural colour, non-chill filtered. Winner of Best World Whisky 2025 at Online Scotch Whisky Awards and Whisky Exchange Whisky of the Year 2026.
• Wire Works Caduro Wire Works Single Malt English Whisky named after an international cable brand made at the former Wire Works. Vatting of lightly-peated single malt matured in first fill ex-bourbon and STR casks, bottled at 46.8% ABV, natural colour, non-chill filtered. Multiple award winner including IWSC Gold, Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Gold, Global World Whisky Masters Gold.
• Wire Works Port Cask Wire Works Single Malt English Whisky from the Provenance Core range. Vatting of lightly-peated single malt aged in fresh Tawny Port barriques and first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, bottled at 50.2% ABV, natural colour, non-chill filtered.
• Wire Works Necessary Evil Finish Limited edition lightly peated whisky produced in collaboration with Thornbridge Brewery. Initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels before finishing in STR casks that had been used for Thornbridge's Necessary Evil imperial stout. Bottled at cask strength 51.3% ABV, non-chill filtered, natural colour.
• Shining Cliff Original Gin Award-winning Derbyshire dry gin inspired by woodland and hedgerows of Shining Cliff Woods. Crafted from thirteen botanicals including rose hip, bilberry, and local mayflower using vapour distillation. Small batch gin distilled and bottled in Derbyshire at 45% ABV. Silver medal winner at San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• Shining Cliff Citrus Gin

Quantifiable outcome

• Winner of Best World Whisky 2025 at Online Scotch Whisky Awards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Thornbridge BrewerycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Deep local partnership with Thornbridge Brewery. White Peak uses Thornbridge's spent brewer's yeast in all fermentations, collected weekly as part of their distilling routine. The Necessary Evil Finish whisky is matured in Thornbridge's stout casks, bringing the story full circle from yeast to cask. The stout casks originally held Wire Works whisky, then matured Thornbridge's Necessary Evil imperial stout (world's best flavoured beer 2024), before returning to White Peak for the final whisky finish. Max Vaughan, co-founder, describes this as reflecting their shared heritage and commitment to quality.
• UK Trade Partners (International Shipping)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK trade partners who handle international shipping for direct-to-consumer overseas purchases. These partners enable worldwide shipping of White Peak spirits to customers globally.
• DHLminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary courier partner for domestic UK deliveries. DHL handles delivery to addresses provided at checkout with tracking information provided to customers.
• South American Panela SupplierscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners in South America who supply high quality 'panela' (or 'raspadura') - a solidified form of sugar cane juice that has not been through any commercial refining process. This panela is at the heart of White Peak's Derbyshire rum production.
• Kelvin CooperageminorOthersSupplier of Virgin Oak casks with level 4 char for White Peak Rum maturation, based in the US.
• Dias CooperageminorOthersPortuguese cooperage supplying ex-red wine STR casks for White Peak rum and whisky maturation.
• BevvycoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for ballot process for limited Wire Works Whisky releases. White Peak uses the Bevvy App to deliver fair ballot access for small releases, working with friends at Bevvy for what they describe as a seamless user experience.
• Derwent Wire Works Visitor Attraction PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with other attractions at Derwent Wire Works including Great British Car Journey, Peakepedals (e-bike tours), Rapid Horizons (river experiences), and Shining Cliff Hostel. Allows visitors to combine distillery tours with other local experiences.
• Great British Car JourneyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInteractive classic car experience at Derwent Wire Works featuring over 130 classic cars. Co-located attraction encouraging visitors to combine experiences.
• PeakepedalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGuided and self-guided e-bike tours around the Derwent Valley from the Derwent Wire Works site, suitable for all fitness levels.
• Rapid HorizonsminorGTM or Marketing Partner5-star adventure activities including white water rafting and gentle canoeing tours, with highly qualified staff.
• Drive Dads CarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClassic car driving experience with over 50 classic cars on the Wire Works private road network.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cotswolds Distillery: English single malt whisky and gin producer operating from a destination distillery in the Cotswolds. Closest direct peer in terms of craft English single malt positioning, on-site experiential tourism, and multi-category spirit portfolio.
• The Lakes Distillery: Cumbrian craft distillery producing English single malt whisky, gin, and vodka, with a strong tourism and restaurant offering. Directly comparable in regional UK craft positioning, product mix, and destination distillery model.
• St George's Distillery: Home of The English Whisky Company (now East Anglia Whisky Co), an early English single malt producer. Comparable as a pioneering English craft whisky distillery with established export presence and on-site experience.
• Penderyn Distillery: Welsh single malt whisky producer with a similar craft provenance story, limited release strategy, and export-led growth. Comparable in scale, product positioning, and category leadership within a UK nation.
• Cooper Rivet Distillery: Kent-based craft distillery producing English single malt whisky, vodka, and gin with a focus on provenance and small-batch production. Comparable as an independent craft distillery building a multi-category portfolio in England.
• Sipsmith: London-based craft gin distillery and pioneer of the UK craft gin movement. Comparable as an award-winning UK craft spirits brand with premium positioning and on-site experience offering, though focused on gin rather than whisky.
• Isle of Harris Distillery: Scottish island distillery producing single malt whisky and gin with a strong destination tourism and heritage story. Comparable as a small, award-winning craft distillery where the visitor experience and provenance narrative are central to the brand.

Broad incumbents

• Bruichladdich Distillery: Established Scottish craft-style distillery on Islay producing single malt whisky, gin, and The Botanist. Comparable in craft provenance narrative, terroir-driven branding, and multi-category approach, but at much greater scale and with global brand recognition.
• Adnams Southwold: Established UK regional brewer and distiller with a spirits portfolio including whisky and gin. Comparable as a UK heritage brand extending into craft spirits with retail, hospitality, and distribution infrastructure.

Others

• Bevvy: Technology platform used by White Peak to run fair ballot access for limited spirit releases. Ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, but indicative of the kind of D2C tooling emerging across the craft spirits category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/whitepeakwhisky
• Facebookfacebook.com/whitepeakdistillery
• Instagraminstagram.com/whitepeakdistillery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about White Peak Distillery