Any micro-distillers out there?

[Tom Wrigley]

Hi there,
After being fascinated by the brewing and distilling industries for quite some time, I'm looking to set up a micro-distillery in London within the next 12 months, predominantly focusing on gin distilling.
If anyone has any advice for the first-timer, or are thinking of producing their own gin too, please do say hello!
Tom

 

[Scalloway]

Have you got your marketing plan sorted? A couple of gin distilleries have set up operations here in Shetland and have used that as their USP. One never produced a drop of spirits in the islands, the other, as far as I am aware imports raw spirits and works some magic on it.

http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/brand-builders-blackwoods/231313

https://scotchwhisky.com/magazine/from-our-correspondent/7162/shetland-whisky-saga/

 

[Ian J]

Many of the new wave of gin distillers seem to use gin festivals to increase brand awareness.

I went to a festival late last year in Lichfield where a new micro distillery (also based in Lichfield) launched their first batch which I believe was only bottled a day or two beforehand.

This particular company uses social media quite extensively for their marketing and as a matter of interest their gin (called Fifth Spire) is expensive but amongst my favourites

 

[Chris Ashdown]

I wonder how many of these specialist gins and other micro businesses will last as the competition is growing every day, I imagine to grow to self sustaining in the long term eats up mega bucks

 

[UKSBD]

I wonder how many of these specialist gins and other micro businesses will last as the competition is growing every day, I imagine to grow to self sustaining in the long term eats up mega bucks

We hade one start up about 5 years ago just across the fields from my cottage
https://www.cotswoldsdistillery.com/

Rumours I heard were that over £4million went in to it.
It's a proper distillery rather than just a gin maker, but gives an idea of the competition.

 

[Ian J]

I wonder how many of these specialist gins and other micro businesses will last as the competition is growing every day, I imagine to grow to self sustaining in the long term eats up mega bucks

The gin market in the UK is growing quite quickly and you can see a number of different gins on the shelves in the supermarkets nowadays whereas at the turn of this century it was Gordons and Beefeater fighting it out.

Sipsmith and Martin Miller are both mainstream brands nowadays and the export market is huge with Spain the major gin drinking nation in the world now.

I do my bit to help the micro distilleries with about 15 different bottles of gin and another one due next week from the Craft Gin Club

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Ian
Are you buying repeats of the gins you like or just trying new ones that come out
Myself I have tried many whisky's over my lifetime but out of choice it comes down to two I buy regularly Famous grouse for general drinking and Highland Park for a nice single malt

 

[Ian J]

I am in theory but in practice I have put repeats on hold until I have finished off a few more. I keep an eye on the major supermarkets' pricing to see if there are any bargains and I picked up a bottle of Whitley Neill Gin for £20 last week which was a very good price

 

[Tom Wrigley]

Have you got your marketing plan sorted? A couple of gin distilleries have set up operations here in Shetland and have used that as their USP. One never produced a drop of spirits in the islands, the other, as far as I am aware imports raw spirits and works some magic on it.

I'm from a marketing background, so am pretty clear on the brand I'm developing and the marketing plan I'll be creating. My main hurdle at the moment are the set-up costs and jumping through the hoops of legislations & licensing. Are there any other potential micro-distillers out there that are trying to do the same?

 

[Quaffer]

It's a competitive industry for sure - we try and stock different gins at each event we do and it's not difficult to do! It's very rewarding though or so we're told by our suppliers! Currently working with norfolkgin.co.uk It's a nice gin, try it out!

 

[Tom Wrigley]

It's a competitive industry for sure - we try and stock different gins at each event we do and it's not difficult to do! It's very rewarding though or so we're told by our suppliers! Currently working with norfolkgin.co.uk It's a nice gin, try it out!

Thanks for the recommendation - I'll definitely try it!