Festive Release from Filey Bay Whisky: Sherry Cask Reserve #6

As the nights draw in and there’s a definite chill in the air, thoughts often turn to cosy evenings and finding that perfect, special something for the festive season. And if that something happens to be a fantastic bottle of whisky, then a certain distillery in Yorkshire might just have the answer. The distillers at Spirit of Yorkshire, the county’s first single malt whisky distillery, have just announced their eagerly awaited annual festive release, and it sounds like a proper treat. It’s called the Filey Bay Sherry Cask Reserve #6, a name that promises warmth, flavour, and something a bit different.

This isn't just any old bottle of whisky. It’s a limited edition release, meaning once it's gone, it's gone for good. For fans of the distillery and lovers of rich, flavourful single malt whisky, this is big news. This particular release for 2025 is the sixth in a very popular series, and the team has done something special to mark the occasion, going back to a cask type that started it all.

What's the big deal with this sherry cask stuff?

Whisky gets a huge amount of its flavour and all of its colour from the wooden cask it matures in. Think of the cask as a sort of slow cooker for the spirit, gently adding layers of flavour over the years. The type of cask used makes a massive difference, and for this release, the distillers have chosen some very special ones: first fill ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks.

Let's break that down. 'Oloroso' is a type of sherry from Spain, known for its deep, nutty, and fruity flavours. 'Ex-Oloroso casks' means these barrels once held this delicious sherry. And 'first fill'? That's the magic part. It means this is the very first time these casks have been used for maturing whisky. All that wonderful Oloroso flavour is soaked into the wood, ready to be passed on to the new spirit inside. It's a powerful and flavourful process that results in a really characterful single malt whisky.

These casks aren't easy to get hold of. The marketing and communications manager at the distillery, Steve Marson, explains why this choice of cask is so important for this particular release:

“First fill ex-Oloroso casks like these are very special and hard to come by - we source ours from a specialist bodega in Jerez, Spain who we’ve been working with for years. The nutty and fruity notes of Oloroso really complement our light distillery character, with rich, treacle flavours singing out.”

It seems the results are pretty stunning. This release is a special one, a once-in-five-years event. Steve Marson adds:

“Not only is the colour spectacular, but the depth and nuance of the spirit makes it a once in five year release. In fact, the last time we used first fill Oloroso casks was the first Sherry Cask Reserve in 2020. So it feels like it’s the perfect whisky to lead us into 2026, our tenth year of distilling.”

So, this whisky is not just a drink; it's a celebration, connecting the distillery’s past with its future. The journey of the spirit starts long before it enters the cask, though. It begins in a field, right there in Yorkshire.

From a Yorkshire field to your bottle

What makes the Spirit of Yorkshire distillery stand out from many other distilleries is its 'field-to-bottle' approach. This isn't just a catchy phrase; it means they have control over the entire whisky-making process, right from the very beginning. They use 100% homegrown barley, grown on their own farm using regenerative methods.

This is a huge deal. It means the base ingredient for their single malt whisky is completely traceable. They know exactly which field the barley came from and how it was grown. This connection to the land gives their spirit a unique character, a taste of the local Yorkshire environment. This dedication to homegrown ingredients is quite rare, with only a handful of distilleries worldwide taking this approach. It ensures a high-quality spirit from the get-go, setting the stage for the magic that happens during distilling and maturation in that special sherry cask.

The result is a genuine Single Estate single malt whisky, meaning everything from the farming of the barley to the final bottling happens right there. It’s a true taste of Yorkshire, crafted with care from the ground up.

How to get your hands on this limited edition

The Filey Bay Sherry Cask Reserve #6 Winter Special Release sounds fantastic, but with only 2000 bottles produced, it's going to be in high demand. This is a genuine limited edition, making it a collector's item as well as a brilliant dram. The bottle costs £85, reflecting the quality and rarity of the spirit inside.

So, where can you find it? There are a few options:

• It's available to buy directly from the source online at spiritofyorkshire.com.
• For those local or visiting the area, it can be bought from the distillery shop.
• It will also be stocked by specialist whisky retailers across the country.
• And for a properly festive experience, the whisky will be on sale at the York St. Nicholas’ Christmas Market until the 21st of December. Imagine picking up a special bottle while surrounded by twinkling lights and the smell of mulled wine.

Whether it’s a gift for a whisky lover or a special bottle to open and share with friends over the festive period, this special Filey Bay release seems like a perfect choice. It’s more than just a whisky; it’s a story in a bottle, from a Yorkshire field, through a Spanish sherry cask, and finally to your glass. A true winter warmer.