ENGLAND’S soon-to-be smallest gin and whisky distillery which is being built on the outskirts of York will be one of only three in the country to be run solely on green energy.

Cooper King Distillery will start production of its juniper-led gin and open its doors to the public this spring.

Whisky distillation will then follow in summer, with a predicted release date of 2023.

Having recently partnered with green energy specialists, Ecotricity, Cooper King is one of only a few distilleries in the UK to be 100 per cent green.

Established by co-founders Chris Jaume, a chartered architect and Dr Abbie Neilson, a former scientist, Cooper King Distillery is based in Sutton-on-the-Forest.

Mr Jaume said: “We are extremely happy with our decision to run on 100 per cent green energy.

“We are so passionate about ensuring that our actions have a positive impact on the environment and are taking every step we can to operate sustainably.

“It’s great that we are among a select few distilleries in the UK choosing to run solely on green energy; we hope that we can inspire more businesses to make a conscious effort to look at the impact they have on the environment.”

Mr Jaume and Ms Neilson came up with the idea of Cooper King while visiting Australia, when they became fascinated by Tasmania’s eight operational whisky distilleries and the hand-crafted premium whisky industry.

With a mission to bring their discoveries back to Britain, they set up a truly independent craft whisky and gin distillery back home in Yorkshire.

Following their passion to have a positive impact on the environment, the couple sought out an energy provider with the same values.

Founded in 1995, Ecotricity is the world’s first green energy company. Holding the title as the greenest energy company in Britain, the firm supplies 100 per cent green electricity and frack-free gas to more than 200,000 customers.

Founder of Ecotricity, Dale Vince, said: “Cooper King Distillery will reduce the environmental impact of their own operations - while also supporting Britain’s green economy.”