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Inspiration • August 12th, 2026
|In an exciting development for Yorkshire's whisky scene, two local distilleries have come together to create a brand-new blended malt whisky, marking a historic first for English whisky. As the Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery celebrates ten years of distilling, it has partnered with the Cooper King Distillery to produce a unique whisky called Many Hands. This collaboration is particularly special because it showcases a level of transparency and cooperation that is rare in the industry.
Collaboration Born from Necessity
The partnership between the Hunmanby-based Spirit of Yorkshire and the York-based Cooper King Distillery began when Cooper King's Tasmanian copper pot still encountered a problem and needed repairs. Rather than facing a lengthy nine-month halt in production, which would have left them without whisky to sell, the founders of Cooper King, Chris and Abbie Jaume, decided to seek help from their nearby neighbours. By filling malt spirit from both distilleries into sibling casks, they matured the whisky together under one roof. This innovative approach allowed the distilleries to blend their spirits and create a product that is greater than the sum of its parts.
A Joyful Journey
The decision to collaborate was straightforward for the Spirit of Yorkshire's whisky director, Joe Clark:
“It was a straight-forward decision for us to help out a fellow distillery in need, especially a neighbour. Although it’s rare to see an open collaboration, it’s not surprising to us - behind the scenes this industry is one of the most collegiate and cooperative in the world and it’s time we showed that side to whisky drinkers.”
This sentiment highlights the supportive nature of the whisky community, where distilleries often work together to overcome challenges.
Dr Abbie Jaume also shared her excitement about the collaboration, saying:
“What a pleasure it was to marry another distillery’s whisky into our own. Spirit of Yorkshire’s spirit brings wonderful honeyed, herbal notes, which pair delightfully with Cooper King’s layers of fruit and toasted nut.”
This blending of flavours resulted in a whisky that is not only unique but also celebrates the qualities of both distilleries.
Many Hands: A Unique Whisky Experience
Many Hands, with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 48%, boasts an intriguing flavour profile. It presents a nose of honeycomb, peach cobbler, and blackcurrant leaf, followed by tastes of biscuit, toasted cashews, and cracked black pepper. The finish is a delightful combination of toasted rye bread with butter and honey. This complex array of flavours makes Many Hands an exciting addition to the whisky market. However, this limited-edition whisky is not just about taste. Only 1,900 bottles have been produced, each with a recommended retail price of £95. It will be available from both Cooper King Distillery and selected specialist retailers across the UK. Furthermore, to give back to the community, £1 from every bottle sold will be donated to the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, supporting life-changing apprenticeships for young people in rural areas and helping to protect vital UK habitats.
About the Distilleries
The Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery, established in 2016, prides itself on being a Single Estate distillery that grows all of its barley using regenerative farming practices. This commitment to sustainability has earned it recognition as one of the top 50 spirits producers in the world by the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in 2025. Cooper King Distillery, founded by Dr Abbie Jaume, a former scientist, and Chris Jaume, a chartered architect, is known for its independent, self-built, and crowdfunded approach to producing sustainable spirits. This innovative mindset reflects the growing trend in the spirits industry towards sustainable production methods. The collaboration between these two Yorkshire distilleries not only highlights the region's burgeoning whisky scene but also sets a precedent for future partnerships in the industry. With Many Hands, whisky enthusiasts can enjoy a product that is not only delicious but also embodies the spirit of cooperation and community that defines Yorkshire's distilling tradition.
