This New Yorkshire Whisky Is About Way More Than Just A Nice Drink

Ever stood in the supermarket aisle, staring at a wall of bottles and wondering which one has the best story? Not just a fancy label, but a proper story about people who really care about what they’re doing.

Well, if you’re looking for a new favourite tipple that tastes good and *does* good, you might want to head to your local Waitrose. A brilliant farm distillery from Yorkshire has just launched its first-ever supermarket whisky, and it’s all about giving back to the land it comes from. It’s a single malt with a mission, and it’s called Filey Bay Nurture.

So, what's all the fuss about Filey Bay Nurture?

Right, let’s get into it. The team at Spirit of Yorkshire, the first-ever single malt whisky distillery in Yorkshire, have created something pretty special. Recently, they launched Filey Bay Nurture, which is the first in what they’re calling their ‘Regenerative Editions’. This isn't just any old bottle of booze; it’s a celebration of their roots in farming and their passion for looking after the planet. And for the first time, you can now find their stuff on the shelves of a big national supermarket, exclusively at 197 Waitrose stores across the UK.

What does it taste like? It's described as ‘soft, fruity and down to earth’. Sounds lovely, doesn't it? It’s made by mixing whisky aged in old bourbon and red wine casks, which gives it a really nice, rounded flavour. But the taste is only half the story. The real magic is in how they make it, starting with the very ground the barley grows in. It’s all about a concept called regenerative farming.

It’s more than just whisky, it’s about regenerative farming

Okay, ‘regenerative farming’ might sound like a fancy term, but the idea behind it is actually dead simple. Think of it like this: instead of just taking from the land, you’re actively trying to make it better for the future. You’re putting back more than you take out. It's about creating a healthy, living ecosystem right there on the farm. The crew at the Spirit of Yorkshire distillery farm are all over this.

They focus on keeping the soil as healthy as possible. Healthy soil means healthy crops, and for them, that means top-quality barley for their whisky. So how do they do it? They follow a few key ideas:

• Don't mess with the soil: They use 'minimum cultivation', which basically means they don’t plough the fields as much. This keeps the soil structure in one piece and all the little microscopic creatures that live there happy.
• Feed the worms: They leave leftover bits of plants, or organic matter, on the ground after harvesting. This breaks down and becomes food for earthworms and other minibeasts, making the soil richer.
• Bring in the animals: They have livestock on the fields over winter. The animals trample down that organic matter and their manure adds extra nutrients. They’re like natural little helpers for the soil.
• Plant special crops: They plant things like clover and radishes, known as cover crops. These plants have deep roots that help break up the soil naturally, and they trap good stuff like nutrients and carbon, locking them into the ground. It's all about improving the biodiversity of the farm.

This whole approach to agriculture means they’re not just growing barley; they’re nurturing the entire environment. This is the story behind every bottle of Filey Bay Nurture.

A word from the people behind the bottle

It’s always great to hear from the people who are actually making the stuff. Co-founder and third-generation farmer, Tom Mellor, puts it perfectly. He, along with his co-founder David Thompson, has built this amazing farm distillery from the ground up.

Tom Mellor said: "Farming is about achieving a balance. If we take out more than we put back in, future generations will pay the price."

"The Filey Bay Regenerative Editions tell the story of why we farm the way we do and shine a light on our dedication to sustainable agriculture. Filey Bay Nurture focuses on the soil - We're passionate about nurturing the health of our soil through biodiversity, protecting our climate and water resources, minimising soil disturbance, and maintaining the land for future generations."

"Truly, traceable, from field to bottle with 100% homegrown barley and farm-sourced water, Filey Bay Nurture is a delicious reflection of the land that nurtured the barley it was made from."

"We're delighted to be working with Waitrose, not only for the first time but with a whisky that celebrates both the way we farm and also farming itself."

And it seems Waitrose is just as chuffed. Their spirits buyer, John Vine, is completely on board with the whole idea. It fits right in with their own ‘Farming for Nature’ project, which is all about supporting farmers who look after nature.

John Vine said: "At Waitrose, we always strive to show the utmost respect for nature, animals and the talented people who make and supply our products, and now we're going one step further with our Farming for Nature initiative, which supports our farmers to embrace nature-friendly practices. Filey Bay Nurture, and the Spirit of Yorkshire's approach to field to bottle whisky, fits perfectly with our drive towards regenerative farming and our desire to offer our customers sustainable food and drink that has been produced with nature in mind."

From field to bottle, literally

When they say 'field to bottle', they really mean it. The team at Spirit of Yorkshire are one of only a handful of distillers in the world who grow 100% of their own barley. This gives them complete control over the quality. They've been farmers since 1945, so they know a thing or two about working the land. They then added to their skills, becoming brewers in 2003 and finally distillers in 2016. That’s a serious amount of expertise all in one place.

They use water from their own farm, and every grain of barley that goes into their single malt whisky is grown right there, using these amazing regenerative farming methods. You can't get much more traceable than that. It’s a genuine taste of the Yorkshire land.

Where can you get your hands on it?

Fancy trying it? You’re in luck. Filey Bay Nurture is available right now in selected Waitrose stores across the UK, Jersey, and Guernsey. It’s a 70cl bottle, comes in at 46.5% vol, and costs £60. If you prefer shopping from your sofa, you can also find it online at waitrosecellar. It’s a brilliant way to support a family-run business that’s making fantastic spirits while also doing its bit for the planet. So next time you fancy a dram, you know there’s a bottle with a proper story behind it, one that starts in the healthy soil of a Yorkshire farm.