Fancy a Proper Yorkshire Tipple? This One's a Bit Special

Right, grab a brew (or maybe something stronger?) and pull up a chair. Are you ever just a bit bored of the same old stuff on the shelves? You see a bottle of whisky, and it looks nice, but you’ve no idea if it’s actually any good or just a bit… samey.

Well, if you’re after something genuinely different, something with a proper story behind it, then you’re in the right place. The folks at Spirit of Yorkshire, the county’s first ever single malt whisky distillery, have been busy. And they’ve cooked up something that’s not just a new drink, but a proper celebration in a bottle. It's a unique new whisky, and it's got Yorkshire written all over it.

What's the big deal about this special release?

Every year, the team over at the Spirit of Yorkshire distillery do something special to mark Yorkshire Day. It's become a bit of a tradition, a real date in the calendar for whisky fans. And this year is no different. They're launching their fifth annual bottling for the iconic day, and it’s called the Filey Bay Yorkshire Day 2025 Special Release. So, if you've tried the others, you'll know this is a big moment. And if you haven't, well, this might be the perfect one to start with.

Think of it like this: you know how some bands release a special vinyl for Record Store Day? It's a limited run, it looks cool, and it's for the proper fans. This is the whisky equivalent. It’s a limited edition, meaning once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. There are only 1,500 bottles being made, which in the world of whisky, is basically a handful. So, it’s not the sort of thing you’ll see gathering dust in every supermarket. It’s a proper special release for a special occasion.

Cream sherry casks? Go on then

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting. What makes this whisky so different is the barrels it’s been aged in. The distillery’s whisky director, a chap called Joe Clark, decided to do something a bit out of the box. He’s used ex-Cream Sherry Hogsheads. A hogshead is just a type of cask, a big wooden barrel, but the 'Cream Sherry' bit is the secret ingredient.

As Joe Clark himself says:

"This year's Yorkshire Day Special Release is indeed special, as it has been drawn from ex-Cream Sherry Hogsheads. While Cream Sherry is one of the most familiar styles of sherry here in the UK, it's one of the most overlooked when it comes to whisky maturation."

So what is it? Basically, Cream Sherry is made by blending dry and sweet sherries. It’s that familiar, comforting style of sherry your nan might have had a bottle of at Christmas. But while it's popular to drink, it's rarely used for whisky maturation. Distilleries usually go for other types, like Oloroso or Fino. Using these casks means the whisky gets to soak up all these lovely, unique flavours from the oak wood. It's a gamble, but one that seems to have paid off brilliantly.

Joe continues:

"Made by blending dry and sweet sherries before being matured in oak, these casks offer something truly intriguing. The result in this release is a whisky layered with rich complexity, classic sherry character, like dried fruits and soft spice, but with a rounded sweetness and depth that only Cream Sherry can bring. With only 1500 bottles available, Filey Bay Yorkshire Day 2025 is one of our most unique whisky releases to date, and it will likely sell out quickly."

So, what does it actually taste like?

Alright, let’s get to the important bit. The official description says it’s ‘rich and fruity with flavours of apricot jam, fudge, cinder toffee, hazelnuts and orange zest'. Blimey. That sounds less like a drink and more like the world's best pudding. Imagine a slice of homemade fruitcake, but with a warm, spicy kick. The kind of sweetness that isn't sickly, but rich and deep. That cinder toffee note sounds brilliant – like the stuff you get at the seaside in Filey, which is just down the road from the distillery.

It’s bottled at 55% abv, so it’s got a bit of oomph. This isn't for downing in one; it's a sipping whisky. The kind you pour after a long week, put your feet up, and just enjoy. Even the box is special, with a cut-away bit so you can see the bottle and the lovely colour of the spirit inside. It’s all part of the story this Yorkshire distillery is telling.

From a field in yorkshire right to your glass

And that story is a really good one. Spirit of Yorkshire is what’s known as a field-to-bottle distillery. That’s not just a fancy marketing phrase; it means they do everything themselves, right on their farm. They use 100% homegrown barley, which they plant, grow, and harvest themselves. Think about that for a second. The journey of this whisky literally starts as a seed in a Yorkshire field. You can’t get more local or authentic than that.

It’s this hands-on approach that makes their single malt whisky so special. They control every single step, from the soil the barley grows in to the moment the whisky goes into the bottle. And people are noticing. Their whisky is now sold across the UK and in a growing number of export markets, so the secret is definitely getting out about this brilliant distillery.

Right, how do i get my hands on it?

If you're chuffed at the thought of trying this, here’s what you need to know. The big launch is happening at the distillery’s Open Weekend. It's a fantastic event where you can explore the place where the magic happens.

• When? The Open Weekend is on the 26th and 27th of July. Pop it in your calendar now!
• Where can I buy it? It'll be available first from the distillery shop during the weekend, or you can get it online from their website, spiritofyorkshire.com.
• What if I miss out? Don't panic just yet. After the launch weekend, a small number of bottles will also be sent to specialist independent retailers and a few selected whisky bars.
• How much? A bottle will cost £95. Yes, it’s a treat, but for a limited edition, field-to-bottle whisky this unique, it's one for the collection.

So, there you have it. A really special dram that tells a story of farming, flavour, and proper Yorkshire spirit. It’s more than just a whisky; it's a celebration of a place, made by people who are passionate about every last drop.