Whisky Focus - White Peak Wire Works Necessary Evil Finish

Independent Derbyshire distillery White Peak is launching the third edition of its limited-run favourite: Wire Works Necessary Evil Finish. This bold expression is said to reflect the distillery’s core values—provenance, heritage, and flavour—through a unique collaboration with neighbouring Thornbridge Brewery.

Crafted from White Peak’s lightly-peated spirit, the whisky undergoes dual maturation: first in ex-bourbon barrels, then in casks that previously held Thornbridge’s award-winning imperial stout, Necessary Evil.

This year’s bottling, once again bottled at 51.3% ABV, marks an evolution of the previous two sell-out releases. The finishing casks—originally STR (shaved, toasted, recharred ex-red wine barrels)—first matured Wire Works whisky, then Thornbridge’s stout (crowned World’s Best Flavoured Beer at the 2024 World Beer Awards), before returning to White Peak for a final transformation.

Necessary Evil Finish is a testament to local collaboration—a true Derbyshire journey of flavour, friendship, and craftsmanship.

Max Vaughan, co-founder of White Peak, explains: "We've had a strong relationship with Thornbridge since we began. We use their spent brewer’s yeast in all our fermentations - collecting it weekly has become part of our distilling routine. Necessary Evil Finish brings the story full circle: whisky that starts life with Thornbridge yeast, and finishes its journey in their stout casks. It’s a reflection of our shared heritage and commitment to quality."

Tom Lindsey, White Peak’s whisky lead and brand ambassador adds: "We allowed this final finish to sit for around eight months, leaving some headspace in the cask to encourage subtle oxidation. The result is a wonderfully complex whisky with mellow, fruit-forward and savoury notes."

The third release of Necessary Evil Finish is priced at £69 RRP, following the success of its predecessors—most notably the 2022 edition, which won Gold at the Global World Whisky Masters. This year’s bottling is available from today, 25th July, at the distillery and from specialist online whisky shops such as The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

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