Meet the maker and discover the stories behind Wharf Distillery in Towcester, Northamptonshire. We caught up with founder and distiller Laurence Conisbee to find out more including how it all started, the story behind the name, what the distillery is like, what you can experience if you visit, and what plans are ahead for the future. What did you do before establishing your distillery? Having begun my career as a cartographer, making maps for the military, I moved into general IT where I remained for around 25 years. I then got out of IT after starting to make cider commercia ..read more

5 years ago, Stockport Gin from Greater Manchester launched their debut gin. They now boast their own Distillery and Gin School and a 'Best in Britain' Award. We caught up with founders Paul and Cheryl Sharrocks to chat more about the last 5 years, how things have changed, the biggest achievements and learnings, and what is planned for the next 5 years. Stockport Gin was launched in 2019 by husband and wife, Paul and Cheryl Sharrocks, who are both from Stockport. Having begun distilling in their garage at the home, in 2021 Paul and Cheryl opened their new distillery and shop ..read more

This year we welcomed the introduction of the Martini category in The Gin Guide Awards. But what does it take for a gin to be the perfect fit for making a Martini? Julian Vallis, our go-to cocktail expert, co-founder of Martini Club UK, and TGGA Martini Judge, explores the required qualities. Author: Julian Vallis, Martini Club UK. There’s no hiding in a Martini. The vermouth and twist augments the spirit very slightly but the main hero is always the spirit. While vodka and other derivatives of Martini are more than valid, we’re only talking about gin and the Dry Martini her ..read more

Get to know the stories and team behind Modern Art Distillery! We caught up with founders Caroline and Catherine to hear about how it all started, the inspiration behind the brand, the distillery they work with, how to serve their gins, and what exciting plans are ahead. What did you do before creating your brand and gins? Caroline was an IT consultant and magazine publisher and Catharine was a former Fleet Street journalist turned university lecturer. What made you decide to create your gins, and what's the inspiration behind your brand? We are old university friends with divers ..read more

Get to know the stories and team behind Urban Rhino Gin. We caught up with Pete Richardson & Sarah Anderson to find out all about their gin, the distillery, how it all started, their work in Rhino conservation, their Desert Island Gins gins, and what plans are in store for the future What did you do before becoming the owners of Urban Rhino Gin? Pete Richardson is a proud Yorkshireman, York City supporter and rhino conservationist! A former national newspaper Deputy News Editor, Pete founded a specialist leisure industry PR, marketing and sales company, before moving to South ..read more

Get to know the stories and team behind Lunun Gin from Scotland, created by 'Masterchef: The Professionals' finalist, chef and restauranteur, Dean Banks. We caught up with Dean to find out how it all started, where the Lunun Gin name comes from, what botanicals are used, Dean's Desert Island gins, and what plans are ahead for the future. Can you tell us more about your career outside of gin? I grew up in a family that all had a passion for good, honest homemade food and was always in the kitchen tinkering around! I started my career as a chef when I was just 15 and it’s taken me o ..read more

Get to know the stories and team behind The Henley Distillery in Oxfordshire. We caught up with Founder and Distiller, Jacob Wilson, to find out all about the distillery, how it all started, how their gins are made, what you can experience if you visit, and what plans are ahead. What did you do before creating your distillery and gins? Before setting up The Henley Distillery I had run several distilleries around the country as Head/Master Distiller before running a spirits consultancy business helping distilleries, brands and companies. Alan (my father and business partner) was an ..read more

The Gin Guide's Editor, Paul Jackson, visited Fowey Valley Cidery & Distillery in 2023 to get to see the Lostwithiel based distillery, to catch up with founder Barrie Gibson, and to find out more about their gin, distillery tours and Gin Making experiences. Here's a sneak peek behind the scenes! After Barrie and Geraldine Gibson had been making their own cider from their 6 apple trees for over 20 years, they launched Fowey Valley Cidery in 2012 from an orchard in Golant, on the banks of the river Fowey in Cornwall. Having since moved into larger premises in Lostwithiel, the co ..read more

5 years ago Penrhos Spirits in Herefordshire sold their first bottles at a local Christmas Fair in 2018. Now their gin is stocked in 400 Sainsbury's stores nationwide. We caught up with co-founder Kate Turner to chat more about the last 5 years, how things have changed, the biggest achievements and learnings, and what is planned for the next 5 years. ​Launched in 2018, Penrhos Spirits was established in Herefordshire by two farming families who grow strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blueberries, eating apples and cider apples. The distillery is an old barn where co-founder ..read more

As distillers continue to innovate and experiment with maceration, distillation and ageing processes, we caught up with Ben Marston of Puddingstone Distillery in Hertfordshire to find out all about their unique Ultrasonic method that maximises flavour and minimises botanical usage. Can you tell us more about your Ultrasonic Gin and the concept behind it? Ultrasonic Gin was created as part of our long term partnership with the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. Aside from using a selection of botanicals that a British bat might encounter on its flight the the British count ..read more