Independent distillery begins whisky production

A start-up distillery in North Yorkshire has announced production of its inaugural single malt whisky has begun.

Cooper King Distillery, in Sutton-on-the-Forest, also said it had sold out of its pre-order whisky casks after just 10 days of sales. The spirit has been inspired by the business founders’ experiences of working with award-winning whisky distilleries in Tasmania.

The business was founded in 2016 by Abbie Neilson, a scientist, and Chris Jaume, a chartered architect. The couple travelled to Australia, where they discovered the world-renowned Tasmanian whisky scene.

They then gave up their established careers to set up an independent, self-built distillery in their home county. Their venture released its first batch of gin in May 2018.

Earlier this year their distillery was shortlisted in the Newcomer category at TheBusinessDesk.com’s Yorkshire Business Masters Awards.

To produce the new whisky, locally grown Yorkshire barley will be traditionally floor-malted in England’s oldest working maltings, before being mashed and fermented. It will then be distilled in a 900-litre Tasmanian copper pot still, before being matured on-site.

Neilson said: “We may be one of the smallest whisky distilleries in England, but what matters to us is not the quantity of whisky produced, but the flavour of that whisky, its provenance, and the story behind the spirit.”

Jaume, co-founder of the distillery, said: “Five years ago Abbie and I quit our jobs, flew to Australia, and fell in love with the Tasmanian way of making whisky. Since then we have worked incredibly hard to realise our dream of distilling an English whisky underpinned by craftsmanship, honesty and adventure.

“We are thrilled that the day has come, and malt spirit is flowing at the distillery.”

Cooper King set up a ‘Founders’ Club’ in a bid to offer craft spirit lovers an opportunity to become part of the Cooper King family.  More than 75% of copper memberships have been sold and 220 bottles of whisky drawn from the distillery’s first-filled cask, including the prized bottle No 1, will be sent to copper members of the distillery’s Founders’ Club, as a reward for their contribution to the venture.

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