Double dipping? Yes indeed! Two English spirits back to back from some of my favourite distilleries from the island I call home! This English Whisky is Wireworks “Alter Ego” by the lovely folks at White Peak Distillery, which is located in Ambergate, Belper and is conveniently very local to me! Some people may remember them as my first posted distillery tour on my page.
Bottled at 51.5% ABV, it has an amazing bottle design I’ve grown more and more fond of over time, having a spiralling design in the glass and a pattern on the cork reminiscent of the steel wires used to hold up bridges. This is a reference to the old steelworks factory that used to be housed in the building where their distillery now resides (this is also where the name “Wireworks” comes from).
This Whisky has a bit of a theme throughout the palette, let’s see if you can spot it. On initial nosing this whisky has a charred oak smell with spicy and citrusy undertones. Very complex, but not overpowering. Drinking neat shows this whisky’s real character, as it has a very distinct, powerful burn up front, as well as strong caramel notes followed by Wirework’s signature subtle peat flavour with an oak accent on the side. One nice characteristic of this whisky is the way it coats your mouth helping to keep the strong initial flavour for far longer than other whiskies before the aftertaste kicks in. On that note, the aftertaste is nice and subtle, with a spicy front and distinct oak notes.
When diluted, I find the peat notes are much more pronounced, but this is likely due to the lesser intensity of the other flavour notes. Speaking of which, the intensity of the neat whisky is practically gone when diluted, leaving a much sweeter, fruitier flavour behind. Because of this, I feel a nice mixer for this is fruitier, darker soft drinks, such as a fruit cola.
One thing I must stress is the intensity of this whisky when neat; it is not a dram for newcomers to whisky! But those used to intense whisky or who know they love a bit of peat will simply fall in love with Wireworks. “Alter Ego” I feel may not be the best first choice for lovers of peat, but there are certainly Wireworks whiskies that work for them! Start with the Wireworks “Caduro” and go from there, I say. When diluted though, it’s a different story. I feel anyone can enjoy this whisky with the right mixer, and that’s a real testament to how well crafted it is. Being able to be enjoyed by a layman as easily and a whisky snob is no easy feat!
I have truly fallen in love with White Peak Distillery through and through, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I do more of their products in future! I want to congratulate Clair and Max Vaughan on their incredible spirits and distillery, and implore anyone in the area, be it on vacation or because you live nearby, to please go and give them a visit (And maybe pick up a bottle or two while you’re there)!
This review’s recommended song is: “Primadonna Like Me” – The Struts
