Filey Bay IPA Finish Batch #2 is a small batch limited edition English single malt whisky from the Spirit of Yorkshire distillery. It has seen initial maturation in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in ex-beer barrels. These have previously help Scarborough Fair IPA from the Yorkshire brewery of Wold Top, which is has the same ownership as the distillery. In reverse, a special edition of the beer has been matured in the same casks once the whisky has been emptied.
The Spirit of Yorkshire distillery is the brainchild of Tom Mellor and David Thompson. It is in the village of Hunmanby, between the towns of Bridlington and Filey. It was the first single malt distillery to ever be registered in the county of Yorkshire and gives a true 'field to bottle' offering.
Production began in Spring 2016 and current production sits at just over 100,000 litres per year. All barley is grown on Mellor's nearby farm and then malted locally. The milling, mashing and fermentation take place at the Wold Top brewery, which is located a couple of miles from the distillery.
Filey Bay IPA Finish Batch #2 is bottled at 46% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is available at the distillery shop. online via www.spiritofyorkshire.com and from selected specialist retailers in the UK. A bottle will cost £65.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is pale gold and the nose is fresh, vibrant and fruity. Aromas of crisp green apple and candied lemon peel rise from the glass initially, which are followed by further aromas of runny honey, vanilla sugar and a hint of nougat. Underneath sits a distinct grassiness, some icing sugar and a pinch of cinnamon.
On the palate this whisky feels uplifting and zesty. Tangy candied lemon peel and bitter lime notes mingle with a lovely underlying malty characteristic - this remains stable throughout and gives a good foundation for other notes to sit on. After the initial citrus hit comes some sugary sweetness - this is most reminiscent of icing sugar, marshmallow and a hint of cream soda.
Some honey and vanilla essence also sit in the background. The fresh and fruity vibe continues with an evolving note of green apple - this is crisp, juicy and tart. There are also hints of white chocolate and cinnamon, plus late suggestions of freshly sawn oak and white pepper.
The finish is of decent length. The fruity and citrus notes fade a little fast, but the sweetness lasts longer. The oak, malt and cinnamon spice outlive everything to give a pleasant dryness and warmth.
What's The Verdict?
This is a lovely whisky from Spirit of Yorkshire. Most that we have sampled from them have been impressive, and this is no different. The youthful nature of the spirit has been lifted by the maturation time in ex-IPA barrels - this shows itself in the wonderful zingy, zesty and citrusy nature of the whisky. Our sample was sent with a bottle of the Scarborough Fair IPA and the link is even clearer when tasting the two side by side.