York distillery Ellers Farm has teamed up with brewer T&R Theakston and maltsters Fawcett & Sons to create an English single malt whisky, Three Ridings.
The launch is being accompanied by a four-part documentary series that traces the whisky’s creation. Each episode explores a different chapter in the whisky’s creation, from barley and fermentation to distillation, maturation, and the shared belief that flavour should always come before efficiency.
Produced in Yorkshire and filmed across Castleford, Masham, and Ellers Farm in Stamford Bridge, the series reveals open collaboration across disciplines that usually operate in isolation.
“Our whisky journey began over three years ago, but uniquely draws on over 200 years of experience in growing, malting, and brewing Yorkshire-grown barley,” said Chris Fraser, founder of Ellers Farm Distillery.
“Three Ridings didn’t start with a marketing brief. It started with the question ‘how do we make the best possible single malt in Yorkshire that can stand alongside the very best in the world?’”
Comedian Ricky Gervais, is co-owner of the distillery. He said: “I love working with people who care more about doing something properly than doing it quickly. Three Ridings is the result of the pursuit of excellence, and I am very proud of what we have created.”
At the foundation of Three Ridings is Fawcett & Sons, who have been malting barley in Castleford since the 1800s. The fermentation and brewing expertise comes from Theakston, in Masham, where brewing has shaped community and culture for nearly two centuries. Distillation, maturation and blending is led by Ellers Farm Distillery, known for its progressive approach and commitment to sustainability.
Simon Theakston, chairman of T&R Theakston Ltd, said: “The development of Three Ridings Single Malt whisky has been a wonderful adventure, shared with our supremely talented partners, Ellers Farm Distillery and Thomas Fawcett & Sons, building on our near-200 years of brewing the finest Yorkshire beer here in Masham.
“Developing the ‘wash’ for a new malt whisky is a natural extension of what we do every day and will enable us to extend our reach into this new and exciting market. We could not be any more proud than we are of our association with Three Ridings Single Malt Whisky.”
The launch documentary series is available now across Three Ridings’ digital channels. The whisky will be released for sale later this year, but drinkers can secure one of the 1,000 individually-numbered First Release bottles through the purchase of the Evolution Collection on the Three Ridings website.
