Strawberry Candy, Biscuit, and Coffee in Brand-New English Whiskey

Sunday, 27 July 2025 at 17:02White Peak Distillery

White Peak Necessary Evil Imperial Stour Cask finish whisky with glass

What happens when you combine peat with imperial stout? White Peak Distillery has explored exactly that in the third release of its celebrated Necessary Evil whisky series. This time, the collaboration introduces peat into the mix, bringing an exciting twist to the Derbyshire distillery’s experimental approach.

FAQ

How often has White Peak worked with the brewery?
They are working together continuously. This is the third time a whisky with a stout finish came out of it.
What makes the Necessary Evil Finish whisky special in terms of maturation?
It's a whisky that matured in ex-bourbon barrels, then got a finish in the Necessary Evil imperial Stout. Before the beer went into those barrels, White Peak whisky was already in there.
What does the new White Peak Wire Works whisky taste like?
The new whisky has both sweet and savory flavors in its flavor profile.

Whisky with beer as a golden duo

White Peak Distillery, based in Derbyshire, England, has once again teamed up with Thornbridge Brewery to craft the third installment of its Wire Works Necessary Evil whisky.

This time, a lightly peated spirit was matured in ex-bourbon barrels before receiving a finishing touch in barrels that once held White Peak’s own whisky, followed by Necessary Evil Imperial Stout.

During the eight-month finishing period, the team intentionally left extra headspace in the barrels to encourage oxidation, adding more complexity and depth to the final spirit.

According to the distillery, the result is 'a sweet and savory whisky.'

What does the White Peak Necessary Evil Finish 3 whisky taste like?

The official tasting notes of the whisky describe a sweet and savory profile. Here they are listed:

Nose: Rich notes of vanilla fudge, milk chocolate biscuits, freshly roasted coffee, hazelnuts, almond flakes, crème brûlée, baked apple pie, cassia, marzipan, sage, and strawberry candy.

Taste: A mix of cocoa nibs, Black Forest gateaux, cracked black pepper, salted caramel, marmite on toast, pastry dough, Medjool dates, marmalade from Seville oranges, a touch of mint, fresh espresso, and soft white candy.

Finish: Rich dark chocolate, tobacco, murray mint, dark cherries, roasted malt, touch of smoke.

The whisky is bottled at 51.3 % alcohol by volume (ABV)

Where can you buy the White Peak Wire Works Necessary Evil Finish 3 whisky?

The new whisky is available at the White Peak website and UK retailers. It is expected to get listed at Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange online shelves. The recommended retail price per bottle is 69 pounds.

Fun fact: White Peak Distillery is housed in a former wire factory – hence the name Wire Works. That industrial history inspires not only the name, but also the rugged, artisanal character of their whiskies. In addition, the distillery uses brewer's yeast from Thornbridge in all its distillates.