Spirit Of Yorkshire Initial Release - Filey Bay

Unless you've been off planet for the last few years you can't have failed to notice the seemingly never ending release of initial releases from new distilleries, both in Scotland and the rest of the world. (I'm sure I've said this before...?)

This time were looking at one of the very latest from @SpiritYorkshire - let's see what it's like!

You can read more about the distillery in a previous blog here.

The whisky is named after Filey Bay a huge stretch of golden sand close to the distillery.

The bottle features a cormorant flying over the sea - the distillery's logo.

(Photos: Spirit Of Yorkshire)

Official notes:

The first expression of Yorkshire's first ever single malt. Made here in Hunmanby on the Yorkshire Coast by us from field to bottle. Representing over eight years of planning and over three years of whisky-making here at the distillery, we are hugely proud to share this first release with you.

Filey Bay First Release combines our pot and column distillates and has been matured predominantly in first fill bourbon casks with a subtle sherry influence. A selection of just 16 casks laid down in the spring and summer of 2016, carefully chosen from our warehouse and gently married together here at the distillery, yielding just 6000 bottles.

Natural Colour & Non Chill Filtered.

Tasting Note:
Creamy, light and fruity, with flavours of vanilla, honey, citrus and caramel.

My thoughts:

Appearance: A lovely pale gold in the glass, swirls bead up quickly and fall as slow thin legs. 

Nose: Orchard fruit, a little citrus but also a little meaty new make note. A little time left to 'breathe' adds some vanilla notes. 

Palate: Nice creamy arrival with an immediate bite of oaky spice. Lovely and smooth. Vanilla custard with a little stewed apple on the tongue. A few more sips reveal honey and a hint of orange. 

Finish: Spice and citrus vie for attention here, more of the orchard fruit and a lingering vanilla custard note.  

Overall: A pleasant dram, 46% ABV giving a nice spicy bite. For me the nose lets it down a little, still a little new makey but the palate and finish put it all right. For a 3yo it's a good dram and I'm sure a few more years in the cask will deliver a great whisky.

I've yet to visit the Spirit Of Yorkshire distillery but as it's close to where my parents live I'm sure it won't be too long!

Many thanks to @stewedwhisky for the drample swap!