Adnams launches handcrafted spirits from new distillery

Published: 12 November, 2010

Suffolk brewer and retailer Adnams has set up what it claims is the first brewery and distillery in England.

The new distillery, which opens today, is based in the old copper house at Adnams' Sole Bay Brewery in Southwold and will produce handcrafted artisan vodka, gin and whiskey.

The copper house has been refurbished and installed with handmade copper distilling equipment made by Carl of Germany, a family company whose experience in manufacturing distilleries stretches back 135 years - just three years short of Adnams' own 138-year history.

Chairman Jonathan Adnams said: "We have been brewing great beers in Southwold since 1872, and our business now incorporates five hotels, 70 pubs, and ten Adnams Cellar & Kitchen stores. Hand crafted spirits are the next exciting step in our journey and we are proud to add distilling to our expertise.

"Small scale distillation produces spirits of a quality and character that far surpass mass-produced products. The addition of a small distillery to breweries is not uncommon in mainland Europe, but I believe we are the first brewery in the UK to brew beer and distil spirits on the same premises."

Adnams Distilled Gin, which uses 100% East Anglian Malted Barley and a blend of Juniper berries, Orris root, coriander seed, cardamom pod, sweet orange peel and hibiscus flower, and Adnams First Rate Gin, which includes 13 botanicals including Juniper berries, coriander seed, cardamon pod, sweet orange peel and liquorice root, will go on sale in Adnams Cellar & Kitchen stores and online.

Also being launched is Adnams Barley Vodka, Adnams Longshore Premium Vodka and Adnams North Cove Oak Aged Vodka. The whiskey will be available after a three-year maturation in oak casks.

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