Starting a Gin & Whiskey Business from Scratch

We are a family-run distillery producing internationally award-winning gins, spirits, and most recently, our first whisky, released on August 1st this year. My husband Toby and I founded our business in 2015, beginning with gin production, and in November 2019, we laid down our first barrel of whisky, creating the first-ever Yorkshire Dales English Single Malt Whisky.

Our distillery is located at our family home, Harewell House Farm in Dacre Banks. What started as a small operation in an old pig shed has now grown into a purpose-built distillery and visitor centre, which opened in August 2019. We are open to the public for tours, tastings, and general visits, providing an immersive experience for those interested in learning about the distilling process and our story.

We keep our operations tight-knit with just the two of us as full-time staff, supported by a small, dedicated team. Gemma manages bottling, labelling, and collaborates with me in creating our unique gins and spirits, often using fruit grown right here on the farm. Jessica heads up our bar team during events and works on Saturdays, while our two American distillers handle mashing and distilling from Thursday to Saturday. Despite being a small team, we pride ourselves on crafting each product with care, quality, and a personal touch.

Back in 2012, when our children had left home, we were eager to start a business that we could run from our property. Our initial idea was to start a microbrewery, leveraging Toby’s chemistry background, which he had studied many years ago. However, a visit to Herriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling, sparked our interest in distilling. We were captivated by the craft and science behind it and decided to pivot our focus towards creating a distillery instead. This decision allowed us to blend tradition, innovation, and our passion for quality craftsmanship into something truly unique.

Success, for us, is about creating a product that customers love so much that they come back for more. While making a sale is important — it’s equally about building a loyal following that values the superior quality of what we produce. We aim to offer a product that stands out in the market, allowing us to maintain a reasonable margin that supports the business's reinvestment and growth. Seeing our customers enjoy what we create and returning for more is the ultimate validation of our hard work.

If we had the chance to start over, we’d begin five years earlier. Timing is everything, and starting earlier would have allowed us to establish our brand and refine our products sooner, giving us a head start in a competitive market. However, every step has been a learning experience, and we’ve grown tremendously from the challenges we faced along the way.

Trust your instincts and be guided by your passion. It’s crucial to do thorough research and understand the industry inside and out, but don’t be afraid to carve your own path rather than merely following others. The spirits industry is full of unique stories, and your own perspective and creativity can be your biggest assets. Be prepared to work hard, stay adaptable, and remain committed to your vision. Most importantly, believe in your product and what you’re trying to achieve.

www.whittakersgin.com 
www.whittakerswhisky.com 

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