The award-winning English distillery of White Peak has kicked off its 10th anniversary year with a new limited edition single malt. The Wire Works Caduro X is a special bottling of their core Caduro expression. It is a vatting of first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and signature STR (shaved, toasted and re-charred) ex-red wine casks. It also features spirits taken from ‘regular cut’ and ‘alternate cut’ distillations for extra character.
The White Peak distillery was founded in 2017 by Max and Claire Vaughan. It is located in the village of Ambergate near Matlock, Derbyshire in the Peak District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The distillery is housed within the former Johnson & Nephew copper wire factory on the banks of the River Derwent. This was the inspiration behind the name of Wire Works for the brand. The inaugural whisky release appeared in February 2022.
White Peak also produce rum and gin, as well as supporting the local community in eco-friendly and sustainability projects. It was Derbyshire’s first ever craft whisky distillery and White Peak is one of the founding members of the English Whisky Guild.
Wire Works Caduro X is bottled at 46.8% ABV. It has been reduced using their ‘special waters’ technique, which involves the maturation of low-strength spirit in oak casks that is then used for dilution. The whisky is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. There are just 1,000 bottles, which are released tomorrow (April 25). They will be available at the distillery, via the White Peak website and at selected specialist UK retailers. A bottle will cost £75.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is deep coppery gold and the nose is sweet, fruity and spicy. Initial aromas of fairground toffee apple and milk chocolate combine with some warm baking spice – think cinnamon, powdered ginger and clove – and a hint of ripe tropical fruit. There is something malty and biscuit-like underneath, which sits alongside a hint of yeast and a gentle wisp of peat smoke.
On the palate this whisky feels decadent and luscious with plenty of initial sweetness. It has a viscous and almost oily mouthfeel. Hard toffee and butterscotch hit first and are quickly followed by caramel and fresh honeycomb. It is not long before the fruitiness from the nose begins to show itself. Notes of soft baked apple and ripe peach lead the way, before apricot jam and pineapple cordial also come through.
The robust malty and biscuity character from the nose is evident. This, alongside the gentle wisp of peat smoke, seems to underpin everything and add an extra dimension. The hint of something yeasty is also there. The baking spices, plus some gripping oak tannin, build to give a warmth and dryness. This is reminiscent of cinnamon and nutmeg with hints of vanilla and clove.
The finish is of decent length and where the gentle peat smoke really shows itself. The sweet toffee-like elements, plus the orchard and tropical fruit characteristics fade slowly to reveal the warm spices and drying oak. The smoke adds a bittersweet and soft ash-like quality now and elongates proceedings. The use of such smoke, and at such a level, is very clever.
What’s The Verdict?
This is another great release from White Peak and one that shows the continual development of their whiskies and brand. The marriage of differing spirit types and maturation casks has added an extra layer of depth and complexity that the early Wire Works releases did not have. We have long been fans, but there is a definite evolution.
Caduro X is a fabulous way to kick off the decade anniversary at White Peak and is a delightful ‘sip and savour’ whisky. It will be interesting to see what else the distillery has up their sleeve in this monumental year for them. Watch this space …
