Purpose
Having grown from a whisky enthusiast to maker, Sam believes this simple agricultural product is fundamentally about a relationship between drinker and distillery. And that’s why he has one simple purpose: “to create a single malt distillery in the Wylye Valley which becomes a home for whisky drinkers around the world”.

Place
The Wylye Valley lends itself as an area for a malt distillery. Its belt of fertile soil allows Sam to source barley from a local grower and use a nearby traditional floor maltings. Set within four buildings and surrounded by rolling hills in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Windmill Farm is found in the ancient village of Wylye. And with its own water source, it’s here that Sam mashes, distils and matures all of Wylye’s spirit.

Process
Sam has a half tonne brewhouse with five temperature-controlled washbacks, running a balanced double distillation on two traditional Forsyths copper pot stills.

Sourcing wood from three cooperages, he matures Wylye’s casks in an old tin roof pole barn, embracing the valley’s seasonal swings. Instead of finishing, all of Wylye’s distillate is filled into casks for full-term maturation giving various options for vatting in the future.

To reveal the character of Wylye’s new make in its most expressive form, ex-bourbon barrels are the bedrock of the warehouse, but Sam also uses ex-solera butts and has a seasoning program with wineries in Montilla-Moriles and Jerez-Xérès-Sherry.

Visits
Dining and tasting rooms sit in a restored dairy, complete with a bespoke bar, log burner, cosy interiors and a growing library of books on spirits, beer and wine. Also featuring a vatting lab and drinks terrace, the picturesque Windmill Farm will host trade, media and private customers, giving guests the chance to sample Sam’s whisky and discover more about Wylye.

Sam said: “The first bourbon barrels I laid down in July 2023 have now turned three. Having spent more time with these vessels than my family – often to the latter’s relief – I’ve become quite attached and it won’t be easy letting them go. But I also want to give my whisky a chance to evolve and reach its full potential, so I won’t be bottling just yet. It is, however, time to start letting drinkers know what I’ve been up to, sharing a few drams of Wylye, and allowing people to experience what makes Windmill Farm such a special place to make single malt”.

To follow Sam and Wylye go to:
IG: @wylyedistillery or visit: www.wylyedistillery.com