Introducing Wire Work’s latest single malt, the Amarone Wine release. A dual maturation of our core, lightly-peated spirit. Initially matured in first fill ex-bourbon barrels and then finished in fresh Amarone wine barriques; the result is a rich and fruity single malt whisky with a smoky backbone.

Over the last couple of years, we’ve curated a limited number of wine casks for both full and dual maturation. The casks have been selected to compliment our house style and are warehoused on site at our home at the Wire Works in Derbyshire. Over the coming months, we’re planning a staged release of three different wine cask finishes. We’re kicking off the Wire Works Wine Series with Amarone and, once we’re satisfied they’re ready, we’ll be following up with Madeira and Moscatel.

First fill wine casks are generally active and can add significant personality to a whisky. The robust nature of the Wire Works lightly-peated house style is complimented by these wine casks, together showcasing complex fruits and subtle smoke.

We source wine casks directly from our long-term partners J. Dias & CA (Porto, Portugal). Dias originally coopered these casks for their first use in the wine industry.  We then have access to high-quality fresh casks where we know the provenance of the wood, the traditional manufacturing processes, and a personal connection with the people who craft them. The Dias cask DNA is a constant in the flavour journey of this Wire Works Wine Series.

The Italian Job

Amarone, a prized rich and fruity red wine from the Veneto region of northern Italy, is known for its unique Appassimento winemaking method. Grapes are naturally dried for approx. 120 days, rested in stainless vats, and finally aged in American or French oak barriques (or ‘tonneaux’) for at least 12 months.

The 16-month finish period for this whisky was set off in the depths of winter 2023. Initially a slow start and then, thanks to the first fill wine barriques, the flavours began to intensify over the summer. As the year progressed and temperatures cooled, the whisky mellowed and integrated beautifully. Skip forward to Spring 2024, and these casks showcase rich and powerful fruity notes, with bucketloads of chocolate and mellow spice. Coming very soon and a lovely start to an exciting journey through the Wire Works Wine Series.

Tasting Notes 

Chocolate & mellow spice 

Available online, direct from the distillery shop and through select UK trade partners end of May 2024.