Distillery in high spirits after breaking £1m crowdfunding mark

White Peak Distillery is raising a glass after more than doubling a £500,000 crowdfunding target.

A few weeks ago, Derbyshire’s only whisky distillery, launched its campaign on the Crowdcube platform to raise cash to support the launch of its first whisky.

The campaign is not due to end until 23 April but so far it has raised over £ 1 million from over 650 investors.

The business now plans to release its first single malt whisky in October.

Max Vaughan, co-founder of White Peak, said: “We are all excited for the next chapter of our story to unfold with the release of our single malt whisky later this year.

View fullsize

“To make the most of this opportunity and so that we can accelerate our growth plans, we decided to launch our crowdfunding campaign and the interest so far has been amazing.”

Located at the former Johnson & Nephew Wire Works, alongside the River Derwent, at Ambergate, White Peak Distillery was founded by Max and his wife Claire in 2016.

While it has been waiting for the whisky to age, the distillery has been producing its Shining Cliff Gin – named after the historical woodlands near the distillery.

However, with the launch of its first whisky drawing near, the firm is raising funds to maximise its sales.

As part of the growth around the whisky launch, the distillery plans to add to its team and increase resources across the business, most notably within production, sales and marketing.

And while the fundraising has already hit its minimum target, the team is looking to offer as many keen investors the chance to be part of the distillery as possible.

Max said: “Our journey over the past five years has been incredibly rewarding.

“We are so proud to have established the distillery as a recognised, innovative business within the Peak District, while winning awards for our spirits within the drinks industry.

“Our team is passionate about the business we’re building: our extraordinary location and its regeneration, the heritage within the local area we are building upon and the spirits we are creating as a taste of our homeland.”

To find out more about White Peak’s crowdfunding campaign click here.

The distillery will also be reopening for visitors, tours and tastings from 22 May. For more information visit www.whitepeakdistillery.co.uk.