The Glugger - Flipbook - Page 16
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AN AWARD WINNING DISTILLERY
THAT IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE SPIRITS INDUSTRY
LOOK NO FURTHER THEN THE FAMILY RUN E18HTEEN
DISTILLERY BASED IN SOMERSET.
THE LAST 14 YEARS HAVE
SEEN RAPID GROWTH WITHIN
THE DISTILLING INDUSTRY,
WITH MANY DISTILLERIES
EMERGING, DEVELOPING
THEIR OWN STYLE AND EAGER
TO PURSUE THEIR PASSION IN
CREATING A TRUE ARTISAN
HAND CRAFTED PRODUCT.
One such team at the forefront
of innovation and emerging
trends is E18hteen Distillery.
Run by Head-distiller Leigh
Kearle and backed up by wife
Claire, sons Zac & Jay, and also
Louise, the Somerset based
company has made major
strides in a short space of time,
we caught up with Leigh to
ask what’s the secret of their
success?
How did the idea for
a distillery come about?
What does your current
day to day role look like?
After selling our engineering business
we ventured into the pub industry and in
2014 came the idea of producing a gin for
the bar. At that time, the notion of making
a gin was a bit of a pie in the sky idea.
However, with dedication and hard work
we made our first batch of our now, award
winning London Dry in 2015. Since then,
we have grown year on year and now as
well as our successful range of gins we
also produce a Vodka range along with
Rums, Amaretto, Blue Agave and a raw
cask whiskey. We are very proud of how
successful and popular our ranges have
become and gives us strength in the
knowledge we are on the right path.
Every day is different, you never know
what call or email you are going to
receive, one day we will be developing
new products of our own, the next we will
be brainstorming a new recipe, the next
discussing with customer new designs
and bottle printing. We have to wear
a number of different hats, but that’s
part of our nature to be good problem
solvers and find ways that will help our
clients succeed.
Someone who is passionate about
producing a good quality spirit, with
an attention to detail and the ability
to listen to the requirements of
the customer.
What inspired you to
become a distiller?
The gin came first and then as I had the
knowledge from being in the industry it
evolved and I grew into the role... it soon
became my passion.
Tell us about
E18hteen Gin Leigh?
I myself come from an engineering
background and have designed and
manufactured equipment within the liquid
and food industry. I’ve also worked in the
areas of aerospace, breweries, distilleries,
juice and chemical industries, I’ve always
had a passion for design and technology.
De昀椀ne a good distiller?
What inspires you Leigh?
When someone comes to us with an
initial idea and brainstorms what they
have in mind its very satisfying to see
their face when they see the finished
product in their hands.
