Distillery raises a glass after striking double gold in Asia

White Peak Distillery is celebrating after earning recognition in Asia for its Wire Works Whisky.

The business, based at the former Johnson & Nephew wire works in Ambergate, secured a double win at the 2025 Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition (TWSC), one of the most prestigious blind-tasting events in Asia.

The distillery’s Wire Works Caduro and Wire Works Alter Ego expressions were each awarded a coveted ‘Gold Award’, earning recognition alongside established global whisky brands and further cementing the distillery’s growing reputation on the international whisky scene.

Claire Vaughan, founder at White Peak Distillery, said: “We’re proud to represent Derbyshire on the world whisky stage.

“These awards are a testament to the dedication of our team, the quality of our whisky-making and the strength of our community roots.

“From the first drop, we’ve focused on making whisky the proper way – with integrity, flavour, and Derbyshire provenance at its heart.”

Established in 2016 as the region’s first full-scale craft distillery and home to Derbyshire’s first single malt, Wire Works Whisky is firmly rooted in the county’s industrial heritage.

Based within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, the distillery builds on time-honoured traditions with a contemporary take on whisky-making crafted with local character — from using spent brewers’ yeast collected weekly from neighbouring Thornbridge Brewery, to working with local barley farmers in Derbyshire.

In just a few short years, its Wire Works Whisky has become a standout brand in England and beyond, gaining global traction and earning top accolades at the World Whisky Awards 2023 and 2024, including Best English Whisky 2024.

Wire Works’ reach now extends far and wide, with export partners in Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Finland, Germany, Austria, and Italy — and more markets on the horizon.

Derbyshire DNA is at the heart of the distillery, and it remains community-focused, with its immersive visitor experiences earning it the #1 Traveller-Ranked Things to Do/Visitor Attraction in Derbyshire on Tripadvisor, supported by 5-star reviews.

Co-founder Max Vaughan said: “We set out determined not to be judged on age, but on flavour and complexity.

“Our whiskies have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the world’s most established whisky brands in blind tastings — and earned top recognition.

“It’s proof that when you build something with purpose, heritage, and care, people notice!”