‘So near to the factories and roads, and yet so rugged – The Peaks’.

The Peak District National Park is one of the UK’s and dare we say, the entire world’s, most beautiful locations. Covering 555 square miles, and covering much of Derbyshire, along with South and West Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester, and Cheshire, it’s one of the UK’s largest National Parks.

Home to hugely popular sights including Chatsworth House, the caverns of Castleton, chocolate box villages and towns, dams and reservoirs, and some of the most breath-taking views you can ever imagine, it’s easy to see why people flock here in droves every single year.

When we think of The Peaks, we think of hills and mountains, lush green countryside, drystone walls, farmland, and quaint little towns and villages. What we likely don’t think of, is whisky.

Despite The Peaks bearing some resemblance to the Highlands of Scotland, it’s not really a location associated with whisky. The English generally tend to steer clear of whisky, instead leaving it to their northern neighbours. Occasionally however, along comes somebody that dares to go against the grain and try something new. When you approach life with this mindset, you can make magic.

Don’t believe us, just ask the folks at the White Peak Distillery, and those lucky enough to sample their fantastic whisky.

White Peak Distillery

Founder of the White Peak Distillery, Max Vaughn is a man that is no stranger to adversity.

Back in 2016, the “business” if you could call it that, had no premises, no staff, no permits, and virtually no funding. To top it off, they had no real experience in the drinks and spirits industry.

Despite this, Max had a dream, to not only get into the drinks and spirits business but to produce whisky! Yes, an Englishman, in the heart of England, dared to produce a drink synonymous with Scotland.

Max and his wife Claire were fortunate enough to secure investments and, inspired by the gorgeous Derbyshire countryside of the Peak District, they set up shop in the old Johnson and Nephew Wire Works factory on the banks of the River Derwent, surrounded by dense woodland.

Derbyshire’s first full-scale distillery, White Peaks Distillery produces a selection of award-winning rums, gins, and yep, whiskies, and the reception has been incredibly positive.