How This Distillery Partnership Unlocks Access to the Rarest Whisky

Ever tried to get your hands on a special bottle of something, only to find it's sold out everywhere? It's a bit of a pain, isn't it? For fans of great whisky, this happens all the time. But what if there was a place you could go, a sort of secret hub, where the rarest and most exciting bottles were always waiting? Well, for lovers of Yorkshire whisky, that place now exists.

Two local legends have joined forces: Spirit of Yorkshire, the county's first single malt distillery, has announced a brilliant new collaboration with The Library Bar at McMillans of Malton. This isn't just about putting a few bottles on a shelf; it's a proper partnership designed to create a fantastic experience for anyone who appreciates a good dram.

A perfect pairing in Malton

Think about your favourite things. Now, imagine two of them coming together. That's pretty much what's happened here. On one side, there's the Spirit of Yorkshire distillery, the makers of the much-loved Filey Bay whisky. They're a true 'field-to-bottle' operation, which is a cool way of saying they do everything themselves, right from growing the barley in their own fields. On the other side is The Library Bar at McMillans in Malton, a town famous for its amazing food and drink. This isn't just any old pub; it's a specialist whisky bar, run by people who are completely passionate about what they do.

It's an independent spot, just like the distillery, which makes this collaboration feel so right. Amy Teasdale, the UK Brand Ambassador for Filey Bay, explained why this partnership makes so much sense:

"The Library Bar is independently owned like us and is overflowing with a genuine passion for whisky. As our first dedicated Filey Bay Whisky partner bar, it will be well-stocked year-round with a range of our rarest and most exciting releases. Some of these whiskies disappear so fast that we don't even have them available at the distillery! The collection will be something really special and will showcase some of our favourite drams."

Imagine that - a place where you can find whiskies so rare, not even the distillery has them. This is a game-changer for fans of the Filey Bay single malt.

More than just a whisky bar

So, what does this actually mean if you pop in? It's about creating a whole experience. The team-up between the distillery and the whisky bar is set to offer some unique treats. Guests can look forward to a whole range of things designed to celebrate this Yorkshire whisky. Here's a little taste of what to expect:

• Bespoke Serves: Special ways of serving Filey Bay whisky that you won't find anywhere else.
• Whisky Flights: A chance to try a few different Filey Bay expressions side-by-side. It's a great way to discover the different character of each single malt.
• Signature Cocktails: The teams are working together to create brand new cocktails with Filey Bay at their core.
• Tasting Events & Seasonal Launches: Regular events will give people a chance to meet the makers and be the first to try new seasonal launches.

This collaboration is all about building something welcoming. Amy added, "

We're so excited to be partnering with The Library Bar at McMillans, a unique space accessed through a secret door, that shares our love for craft, character and conversation. This partnership is about more than just great whisky; it's about relationships, and creating a welcoming place for people to explore, enjoy, and connect over whisky, in a fabulous speakeasy-style setting."

The mention of a secret door gives it a bit of mystery, doesn't it? This speakeasy-style atmosphere is perfect for encouraging conversation and helping people build relationships over a shared interest.

From field to bottle to bar

This partnership feels completely natural, especially when you hear from James McMillan, co-founder of The Library Bar and McMillans. The shop, one of the region's top destinations for whisky, wine, and gin, was founded by a father and son team, Jim and James McMillan, back in 2016. They know their stuff, and their support for local producers is clear. James has known the team at the Spirit of Yorkshire distillery for a long time, making this an easy and enthusiastic collaboration. He said:

"The team at Spirit of Yorkshire has been doing remarkable work since the very beginning. I've known Filey Bay whisky director Joe Clark for a long time, and over time I've also had the pleasure of getting to know the rest of the team. I truly believe the whisky they're producing is outstanding. Here at the Library Bar, we've worked hard to curate the best selection of whisky possible. After many wonderful events, enjoyable evenings, and more than a little questionable banter, it feels only natural-especially given the distillery's close proximity-that we collaborate to celebrate and promote both whisky and Yorkshire whisky. From field to bottle, from bottle to bar."

It's a celebration of great local craft, from the homegrown barley in the field right to the glass in a welcoming bar in Malton. This is a big step for Yorkshire whisky. The Library Bar itself is already a destination, with over 200 whiskies from all over the world. But this new focus on Filey Bay makes it the number one spot for anyone wanting to explore the best of what this specialist Yorkshire distillery has to offer. The brand is already a success story, with its single malt whisky being sold across the UK and in growing export markets. This partnership with McMillans will only help more people discover the amazing character of their spirit.