White Peak Distillery
White Peak Distillery
In this Q&A we speak to Max and Claire Vaughan, the husband and wife team who founded the Peak District’s first full-scale craft distillery in the heart of Derbyshire in 2016, where they make Wire Works Whisky.
Neither of you are from a whisky background so what was your inspiration for setting up a distillery and what makes White Peak Distillery special?
Our journey began with pure passion – passion for whisky and for place. Max, a lifelong enthusiast inspired by his father, was introduced to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and became a regular at their Farringdon tasting rooms while we lived in London. It was there that the idea to set up a whisky distillery took root. As a trained accountant, Max opened a file on his laptop that same day and began shaping what would become our business plan.
From the start, we knew we wanted to focus on flavour—creating a distinctive new make spirit where character comes from the craft of whisky-making, not just time in the cask.
Derbyshire, where we grew up and married, has a rich history of brewing, innovation, and industry, yet no legacy of whisky-making. Our vision was simple: to create a unique and authentic English whisky that captures the spirit of this remarkable region.
We set up White Peak Distillery in the former Johnson & Nephew Wire Works in Derbyshire’s Derwent Valley that forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, every aspect of the Distillery and its spirits links back to this heritage-rich setting.
What are the key defining characteristics of the Wire Works Whisky range that contribute to its unique identity?
Wire Works Whisky is shaped by our distinctive industrial heritage and guided by a deep commitment to flavour and Derbyshire provenance. Since our First Release in February 2022, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’ve won various prestigious awards for many of our Wire Works Whisky releases.
We look at every strand of the whisky making process in our pursuit of flavour. To create Wire Works Whisky, we use spent brewer’s yeast from local Thornbridge Brewery, combined with an uncommonly long fermentation for a distinctive new make spirit with character before it goes into a cask.
Wire Works Whisky flavour is built upon our considered approach to whisky-making, resulting in a complex, well-balanced and lightly-peated spirit. The palate and nose deliver fruit forward notes, bonfire toffee and sweet vanilla, with a rich mouth feel and long finish.
We also produce Shining Cliff Gin and White Peak Rum.
As the whisky market continues to evolve - particularly with the rise of English whisky - what key trends are you seeing and how are you adapting to stay ahead of the curve?
We’re seeing growing demand for authenticity, quality, and provenance in whisky, which aligns perfectly with our approach at White Peak. Drinkers today are looking for brands with real stories and transparent processes, and our home, heritage, and full whisky-making journey here in Derbyshire give us a genuine point of difference.
Innovation in whisky-making also remains key. Whether it’s exploring mashing techniques, distillation cut points, barley types, cask fill strength and proofing down, we’re constantly developing new releases that stay true to our lightly-peated Wire Works style while offering something fresh and exciting for whisky lovers.
Ultimately, our focus will always be on quality – making whisky with care, honesty and integrity, without shortcuts. That’s how we honour the trust placed in us by our customers and continue to build Wire Works Whisky for the long term.
How significant is the role of your local region and community in shaping the identity and operations of White Peak Distillery?
The community we form part of is important. Those that worked at the Wire works before us felt the same and we carry this tradition forward. They created a vibrant community life, sponsored activities and events including the annual sports and flower show (largest in England). Johnsons made cables to last, through honesty and innovation.
We’ve developed a true connection with the region. As previously mentioned we use spent brewer’s yeast from a local Peak District brewery – Thornbridge Brewery – who we also partner with on cask experiments too, contributing flavour that is unique to Wire Works Whisky. The design and construction of our distillery includes equipment and engineering sourced locally in county.
The entire process happens on site, from mashing and fermentation, through distillation, maturation and bottling – a full life-cycle of Derbyshire provenance. Each stage of whisky-making is designed to develop layers of flavour and creating a whisky that is a true reflection of Derbyshire’s rich heritage.
What can whisky enthusiasts look forward to discovering when they step inside the distillery for a tour?
On our distillery tour you’ll meet the passionate team behind our spirits, sample our award-winning range, and discover how we honour the site’s rich industrial heritage – drawing inspiration from a legacy of quality and craftsmanship.
Our distillery experiences start from just £18 per person and include a guided tour led by one of our expert Still House team members and tasting of our signature spirits.
How important is your choice of glassware when it comes to whisky tastings?
The glass you choose can transform your whisky experience – shaping the aroma, enhancing the flavour, and unlocking the full character of the dram.
We’re always very particular about using good quality glassware to showcase our spirits to their fullest potential. The Glencairn Glass is a great glass for whisky as its wide bowl allows the spirit to breathe and reveals the depth of its colour, while the tapered rim helps to concentrate the aromas.