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Our Journey #1

Where I am hoping to end up


Recipe development. It took 34 attempts.

In August 2020 I was busy planning my next phase of Goldings Distillery Ltd and Goldings Gin. But before I tell you about all of that I thought some of you may be interested in where I hope my gin journey will end up.


Many people dream of making and selling their own gin. I am no different. I started thinking “how hard can it be?” Then as I researched more I quickly found out there are only about 350 limited companies in the UK who legally have a licence to make gin. You only need to get 8 (yes 8!!) different licences in total, plus a myriad of local planning and health and safety issues. OK I thought I won’t be able be to do that, so I will just drink gin instead and dream!


Then from about 2016 I researched more, read more books, watched more internet videos than I care to mention, and thought hang on Mr T. You need to at least try!!


After a couple more years of half dreaming I started to work out how I would overcome some of the obstacles. I watched and followed a number of stories where small “one-person bands” developed their distillery. In Feb 2018 I went on a day’s course in London entitled “How to open a gin distillery”. I came back dejected, sad, and resigned to the fact that I would not be able to do it. It was all a pipe dream I told myself.


Hang on Mr T, you need to try, you might be able to do this. So in 2018 I spent hours over several months developing the business case needed to get the first licence from the HMRC. I worked out how it might just be possible to make it happen. The aim was, and still is, to end up with a small gin brand where I can work almost solo. I know I am not going to be the next Bombay Sapphire selling millions of bottles a year, but if I can sell enough just enough to get by, and fill my retirement working in the distillery I will be happy.


So Goldings Distillery Ltd was incorporated at Companies House in January 2019. The HMRC licence followed in March 2019, and I started sample production straight away.


Making great gin is hard, making it great every time is harder still. Selling gin in a crowded and busy market place is brutal.


I want to make a gin that people love, not just like. Market and branding are key, but the liquid needs to shine. I want to make a gin that I am proud of, that starts out locally and grows with me.


The pandemic slowed me down in so many ways. At its peak it, and my day job, reduced my headspace, energy, and capacity. There were problems posting parcels during lockdown, and supply issues with ingredients. In March 2020 I was just about to start acquiring and building premises in order to apply for the next licence that will allow me to buy and trade alcohol, plus sell to local pubs and off-licences. Bottle selection, label design, branding, and those 7 more licences would be next. The building foundations are ready, but the building is now on pause as many of the required materials are unavailable. I

am slowed down, but not stopped……….



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