The past ten years have witnessed an incredible surge in craft and artisan distilling across the United Kingdom. While the gin craze initially took center stage, other spirit categories have also flourished despite the eventual slowdown of that trend. This article explores eight of the most outstanding and highly acclaimed brands currently making waves in the UK distilling scene, encompassing everything from whisky and rum to brandy and vodka.
Bimber
Bimber Whisky The First Release
Bimber has become a sensation among the new distilleries in the UK. Each batch of their single malt whisky is known to sell out within minutes, often reappearing at auctions with significantly marked-up prices, highlighting their rarity and desirability.
Located in west London, Bimber—meaning ‘moonshine’ in Polish—sources all its barley from a dedicated farm in Hampshire. The distillery operates on a small scale, producing merely four barrels of spirit weekly while adhering to traditional whisky-making methods.
Since unveiling its first whisky in 2019, Bimber has recently expanded its offerings with a peated malt introduced in late 2022.
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Boatyard
Boatyard Double Gin
Set within a former boat shed by the shores of Lough Erne in Northern Ireland’s County Fermanagh, Boatyard distillery has earned multiple accolades since its inception. It stands as Fermanagh’s first legal distillery since 1890 and was the first in Ireland to achieve B-Corp certification as of early 2023, aiming to create the ultimate gin for a perfect martini.
Boatyard follows a farm-to-bottle philosophy, utilizing only organic barley sourced locally. The distillery’s flagship product is the Double Gin, which features juniper berries introduced into the spirit two times during distillation, once directly in the still and again in a unique vessel that the spirit vapour passes through.
This process yields a bold juniper flavour complemented by a bright lemon finish.
Burnt Faith
Burnt Faith Brandy
When the word “brandy” comes to mind, places like Cognac, Armagnac, or Calvados might be the first to hit, but Burnt Faith is making its mark in north-east London. The founders set out to explore the potential of brandy without the restrictions imposed in more traditional regions, utilizing unique grape varieties and wood to create rich and complex flavours.
As the UK’s first official brandy house, Burnt Faith distils and blends its own brandies using traditional Charentais stills, with each distillation process lasting a lengthy 12 hours for the first run and 14 for the subsequent one.
Its newest offering, Burnt Faith Brandy Batch 001, presents an array of flavours including orange peel, caramel, raisin, milk chocolate, and cherry.
Eight Lands
Eight Lands Organic Speyside Vodka
Located in Scotland’s picturesque Speyside region, Glenrinnes distillery is home to Eight Lands. While surrounded by more than 50 Scotch single malt distilleries, Eight Lands focuses entirely on producing gin and vodka rather than whisky. The brand’s name reflects the view of eight counties visible from the top of nearby Ben Rinnes hill.
This family-owned, organic distillery emphasizes artisanal production by utilizing foraged ingredients from their estate, including wild sorrel and cowberry, in their award-winning Organic Gin, which is heavy on juniper. Their Organic Vodka is notable for its sweet, creamy texture and abundance of flavor—truly a treat.
Lochlea
Lochlea Our Barley Single Malt
Nestled in the rolling hills of Ayrshire in the Scottish Lowlands, Lochlea has quickly become one of the most discussed new whisky distilleries. Established in 2017, it utilizes barley grown on the very farm where the distillery resides, which was once owned by the esteemed Scottish poet Robert Burns.
Lochlea introduced its first single malt in early 2022 and has already won several prestigious awards in global spirit competitions. Its flagship product, Our Barley, is complemented by various limited edition small-batch and cask strength releases. Expect characteristic Lowland whisky notes such as barley sugar, malty biscuits, dried grass, and vanilla.
Storywood
Storywood Tequila 14 Years
A unique addition to our list, Storywood bridges the cultures of Mexico and Scotland. This exceptional barrel-aged tequila undergoes distillation, maturation, and sourcing in Jalisco, Mexico—the legal territory for tequila production—before being transferred to Scotland for further maturation in used Scotch whisky casks.
While many tequilas are aged in ex-bourbon barrels, Storywood expands the flavor profile with the use of ex-sherry casks, resulting in a distinctive taste. The Speyside 14 Añejo, aged for 14 months, presents an exquisite profile characterized by earthy, nutty, oaky, and fruity notes, perfect for sipping.
Talonmore
Talonmore Non-Alcoholic Spirit
Located in Edinburgh, Talonmore is a family-run brand dedicated to creating an innovative non-alcoholic spirit that mimics the taste and texture of traditional dark spirits. Established in 2020, their product is brewed rather than distilled, incorporating root and plant-based ingredients like fresh rosemary and bitter oranges to develop a richly layered flavor.
With the intention of shifting perceptions in the non-alcoholic category, Talonmore aims to provide a refreshing alternative to the often mundane and sugary options available. It can be enjoyed on its own, over ice, or as a base for alcohol-free cocktails—consider trying it in a highball with tonic and citrus garnishing.
Two Drifters
Two Drifters Overproof Spiced Pineapple Rum
Based near Exeter airport in Devon, Two Drifters is a husband and wife-run distillery making remarkable rum. Their inspiration came from a honeymoon in St. Lucia, and their mission is twofold: to demonstrate that British rum can rival the best globally while prioritizing sustainability.
The distillery operates entirely on renewable energy, with all packaging being recyclable and carbon neutral. Everything is accomplished in-house—from the fermentation of molasses to the distillation, aging, bottling, labeling, and shipping.
Their diverse range includes Signature Rum, Pure White, Lightly Spiced, and the delicious Overproof Spiced Pineapple, which is best enjoyed over ice for a delightful experience.
