What did you do before launching your distillery? Before we started the distillery, I was actually an engineer working on rollercoasters. I’ve always had a passion for creating things that bring people joy. But distilling has been part of my life for as long as I can remember as my dad was a small-scale whiskey producer in Yorkshire. What made you decide to establish your distillery and to launch a gin? My father taught me the craft of distilling from an early age, so it felt natural to develop that passion into something of my own. In 2016, we noticed that Lincolnshire didn’t have a single distillery, even though neighbouring counties had several. We saw a clear gap in the market to create the first ever Lincolnshire gin – so that’s exactly what we did! What is the meaning and story behind the Pin Gin brand name? When I started making gin I also had dreams of starting a Christmas tree farm. Although that part of the plan didn’t materialise, the name 'Pin Gin' did! The idea came from pine needles – 'pin' led to 'gin' and the rhyme just felt right. And that’s how Pin Gin was born! Can you tell us more about the distillery and your stills? We started out distilling in the garage at home using a 50-litre copper pot still and then a 100-litre named Rose. As demand grew we moved to a small unit on Louth Industrial Estate and upgraded to a 500-litre still. By August 2022 we had outgrown that space too and relocated to our current 24,000 sq ft unit on the same estate. Now, we have Molly – our 5,000-litre still – along with six blending tanks and a fully automatic bottling line. This setup not only allows us to produce Pin Gin on a much larger scale but also enables us to take on contract distilling and white label products, which now make up around 95% of our business. Can you tell us more about your distillation process and botanicals? At Pin Gin we’re proud of our meticulous distillation process, designed to create a smooth, flavourful and distinctive gin. Our journey begins with Molly, our state-of-the-art 5,000-litre copper pot still, which ensures precision and quality in every batch. At the heart of everything we create is our classic London Dry Gin, which serves as the base for all our products. This versatile and balanced gin is crafted using 11 botanicals, blending traditional and innovative flavours. Alongside essentials like juniper, coriander seeds, and angelica root, we incorporate unique touches such as black pepper for warmth and rose petals for floral elegance. We steep our botanicals for 24 hours prior to distillation, ensuring maximum extraction of flavours. Once distilled, we blend our gin with pure, filtered water to achieve the perfect strength and clarity. We have an RO plant on site to ensure the highest quality of water for the blend. Our goal is to craft a versatile gin with a clean finish, whether enjoyed in a classic G&T or as the base for a creative cocktail. What can visitors experience if they visit Louth Distillery? Visitors to Louth Distillery can enjoy a range of immersive experiences that bring the craft of distilling to life. Our Gin School is a hands-on experience where guests can create their own bottle of gin, selecting from a variety of botanicals under the guidance of our expert guides. In addition to gin experiences, we host Rum School on select dates, allowing visitors to dive into the art of rum blending and create their own unique bottle. For those who prefer a more laid-back visit, our Tour & Taste experience offers the perfect way to explore the distillery, learn about our history, and enjoy a guided tasting of Pin Gin and other spirits we produce. We also host special events throughout the year, including bingo nights, private parties, and pop-up collaborations with local brands. What are your ambitions for Louth Distillery and Pin Din in the years to come? In the years to come, our ambition for Louth Distillery and Pin Gin is to continue expanding our presence both locally and nationally, while remaining true to our roots of quality craftsmanship and innovation. We aim to offer even more exciting, unique gin experiences, further strengthen our sustainable practices, and collaborate with local businesses and communities. Ultimately, we want our brand to be synonymous with exceptional taste, creativity, and a genuine passion for the craft of distilling, all while sharing the spirit of Lincolnshire with the world. What are your favourite ways to drink Pin Gin?
My personal favourite way to enjoy Pin Gin is a very classic and dry G&T or simply neat. There’s something so refreshing and satisfying about the simplicity of a well-made G&T, but I also love the smoothness of sipping our gin on its own. Desert Island Gins: Which 3 gins would you take with you and why? If I were stranded on a desert island, I’d have to take:
What's next for you, Pin Gin and Louth Distillery - any exciting plans? We’ve got some exciting plans in the works! As demand for our products grows, we're discussing adding more blending tanks to meet the needs of our contract customers. We're also focused on continually improving our bottling line to ensure high output without compromising quality. On top of that, we’re thrilled to announce plans to introduce a new rum under our own brand— bringing a new, exciting spirit to our range. We’re also committed to expanding our unique distillery experiences and continuing our sustainability efforts. There’s a lot to look forward to, and we can't wait to share more soon! You Might Also Like...
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