Spirit of Wales Ltd Maesglas Industrial Estate 16a Greenwich Road Newport ,NP20 2NN, UK
Steeltown Quality Gin from Spirits of Wales
SPIRIT OF WALES DISTILLERY
Distilled for You
The Spirit of Wales is distilled for you in Newport, Wales, by passionate and friendly people.
About The Spirit Of Wales
Distilled for You
We are a craft distillery in Newport, South Wales, home of commemorative Steeltown Welsh Gins, award-winning Welsh Vodka and Dragon’s Breath curiously Welsh Rums, vodka and 70% ABV Absinthe. Founded in 2021 by a team of passionate distillers, committed to using only the finest ingredients inspired by the landscapes of Wales and traditional distilling methods to create unique and high-quality spirits that capture the essence of Wales.
Our goal is to create surprising and complex flavours and abstract stories on your palette; we give you a piece of home to treasure. We want to share the Spirit of Wales with the world so they can delight in the taste, flavour, and passionate Welsh fire. The Spirit of Wales Distillery prides itself on being environmentally conscious and sustainable. We recycle and reuse materials wherever possible.
Our Distillery
Igniting the flavour of the dragon
We started in our distillery with a blank canvas to create our space where we conjure up the flavours for our Welsh drinks. As a smaller artisan distillery, we experiment logically and creatively to establish world-class spirits with a Welsh twist. Our distillery space in Newport, South Wales, is where we ignite the flavour with our Dragon Steel stills. We put our love for the complexity and variety of curious experiments we test in a landscape engrained in the culture bottled for you to enjoy!
Reimagined from the perspective of the coal and steelworkers who built the tremendous industrial hubs of Wales, our speakeasy-inspired distillery is the venue for your next event. Let us welcome you for a drink and guided tour where you can sample the spirits, learn about the distilling process, and even make a bottle of floral gin or rum in a copper still.
We host WSET standard tasting events, cocktail creating masterclasses on select Friday evenings from 7 pm. Spirit of Wales Distillery is the perfect destination for gin, vodka and rum lovers to experience our handcrafted flavours and artisanal Welsh drinks.
There are more castles per square mile in Wales than anywhere else in the world, six hundred to be exact. We recently declared our Spirit of Wales’ distillery castle number 601. It is fair to call ourselves a castle when we house sleeping dragons who ignite our spirits.
REIMAGINED AND REFINED
Premium Distillation Process
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Spirits
When we create our refined artisanal gins, vodka, and rums, we juxtapose flavour by selecting botanicals from the Welsh landscape. We also source sustainable materials for processing our spirits, like the Welsh coal used to filter our Welsh vodkas.
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Tastings
We approach flavour from a scientific point-of-view combined with the creative potential in everyday food, spices, smells, and tastes that mix that we reimagine to expose the new. Join us for a guided tour and taste the award-winning Steeltown and Dragon’s Breath Spirits.
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Distilling hours
Spirit of Wales drinks are premium and refined, meaning you do not have to add much more than a tonic or another mixer, with a higher percentage in ABV, so one shot will do for sipping, mixing or cocktails.
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Perfect Serves
Let us take you on a flavour journey with our award-winning drinks. Try them at the distillery bar area, markets and events around Wales or buy the mini trio to try at home.
Mathematician Robert Recorde invented the equals sign, followed by the plus and subtraction signs leading the way for British algebra. His algebra which plays an important role in developing our distillation methods.
Our Team
We are a small team of passionate people who cannot wait for you to taste the steel and passion in every bottle of Steeltown and Dragon’s Breath Drinks.
- Founder and CEO: Daniel Dyer
- Head Distiller: Beth Hibbert
- Marketing Manager: Claudette de Chermont
- Events Manager: Ben Harris
- Finance Manager: Tanya Sultana
- Distillery and Customer Support: Jeson Villanueva
If you are out and about this weekend, you can also meet our events team, who are ready to share a sample and a great deal with you at events and markets around South Wales.
Steeltown
The Commemorative Spirits of Wales
Steeltown is the Spirit of Wales’ practical everyday spirits that focus on the taste inspired by the industry and fruity florals from the region.
We invite you to enjoy a bottle of our commemoration, Steeltown Welsh spirits that capture the floral landscapes, and the fishing and farming communities in the surrounding areas. Join us on a flavour journey of Welsh passion that pays tribute to the steel, coal, and mining industries that built Wales.
Our Steeltown Collection:
The Ignited Dry Gin of Wales
Sparky fresh lemon peel aromas mellows into subtle floral tones from orris root and rosemary. Look out for cardamom spice in the background with bold, resinous juniper. Sweet juniper, cassia bark, and orris root. Combined with tonic, it grows with flavour bursts of lemonade, pink grapefruit, or marmalade, with a hint of fresh menthol and cardamom for a lasting finish.
The Sparked Vodka of Wales
Contemporary Blend with Earth and Zesty Pepper. Spirit of Wales clean, contemporary single wheat grain Steeltown Welsh Vodka has soft vanilla and black peppercorn aromas. Next, you will taste complex cereal notes, bread-like and spicy, backed by delicate citrus-like freshness and black pepper bite, followed by a bright and cleansing finish.
The Forged Wild Blueberry Gin of Wales
Bright with citrus and honey-sweet heather tips and soft floral blueberry tones. Juicy berry tones complimented with heather and orris root. Next, taste the bittersweet grapefruit and lemon combined with the familiar piney characteristics of juniper. Full of pleasant oiliness and citrus pithiness to finish. This is one you have to try!
Distillery Release
When we first try out a product, we launch it under our Spirit of Wales Distillery release Welsh Spirit’s range. We call these spirits our people’s spirits, because, like the rest of our range, inspired by you and once you like them, we add them to the range of Steeltown contemporary gins and vodka or our curiously Welsh Dragon’s Breath inventions.
Available for a limited time, these small-batch spirits are released every new season until stock lasts Available to sample during any of our tasting nights, guided tours and gin or rum school experiences, you can also pick up a bottle directly from the distillery or at a market in South Wales over the weekends.
Spring is coming up soon and before we know it, we will have lush sunshine and the need for some light, crisp drinks. We are busy working on some small new batch distillery release rum recipes, but were wondering, do you have any fresh flavour ideas for spring rum, vodka or gins? Let us know on Facebook and while you’re there give our page a like to see when our new rum launches!
The Spirit of Wales Distillery releases Welsh Gin, Vodka, and Rum. Created for you to taste and enjoy!
INSPIRED BY WELSH PASSION
Reimagined with delight
The peoples’ spirit inspired by the Welsh, an exceptional nation.
The Spirit of Wales is about people and their passion – to reimagine their world with delight.
We are from the land where dragons breathe fire, where we root for underdogs in life who make it with their determination and hard work.
We say cheers to you, to the spirit of Wales, with our distinct Welsh spirits that capture your essence. A homage to Newport’s history, rainy days and green hills, Celtic heritage, language, and literature. The Spirit of Wales is about the Welsh. It is about you, your family, and our people passed.
Wales has a massive food and drinks industry but with a small distillery scene compared to other regions of the UK. With this passion, our goal is to enhance the scene and create meaning for the Newport community and the people of Wales; whilst giving visitors from around the world a taste of who we are.
The Welsh town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch has the longest name in Europe, previously the world, it means: “St Mary’s Church in the Hollow of the White Hazel near a Rapid Whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the Red Cave
WE CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF THE WELSH
People Rooted in Culture
Wales may be a part of Great Britain, but it is so different in many ways. Wales has a unique character and incredible history, and the warmest people you will ever meet. Despite the miserable weather, the Welsh always have something to smile about! You cannot dampen our spirit unless our favourite team is losing.
Our rugby-mad nation may be a small country and nation (okay, our sheep outnumber us four to one). For our size, we have a bold atmosphere of a profound culture steeped in history.
Guided by the red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch)
The red dragon is the most recognisable symbol associated with Wales. The Welsh dragon is a symbol of strength and authority in history and culture. A national identity we wear with pride while we work and while we play.
The dragon is a mighty and mystical creature representing sovereignty, power, and authority for the nation. Rooted in the Greek word (add) meaning “to see clearly,” the Celts raise their force by invoking the “eye of the dragon”. Celtic nations believe dragons connect mortals with the earth’s magnetism and healing powers. They give the gift of vision, wisdom and prophecy through dreams and are the guardians of knowledge.
The Red Dragon leads the way for the Welsh, first introduced by the Romans in battle, then adopted by kings to show their authority when the Romans left. The Welsh have a positive relationship with Drew, their dragon (fierce yet benevolent) named after St. David, patron saint of Wales. More than mythology and folklore, our heroes are also praised for being dragon-like.
The prophecy is that when Wales faces its darkest hours, the Welsh Dragon will awaken to defend them. Y Ddraig goch ddyry cychwyn (the red dragon gives impetus). Although, as a nation rooting for the underdog enthusiastically, we are not sure if the dragon will need to return.
The Spirit of Wales was born to capture the essence of Newport and Wales with new thought-provoking recipes. We reimagine the heart of Wales as a world-class gin, vodka, and rums inspired by the landscapes and its passionate people.
Other than the dragon, the Welsh have two other national symbols. The Welsh having three national emblems has nothing to do with greed. The Celtic Welsh words for the leek and daffodil are so similar. The people of Wales chose both plants to avoid confusion.
CELEBRATE WALES
With Celtic Inspirations
The Celtic nations include Ireland, Isle of Man, Cornwall, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. An advanced ancient society of brightly dressed warriors, brilliant thinkers, inventors, builders, and creators. These mysterious people lived in the Iron age and farmed their food, gathered nuts, berries and honey around their roundhouses with thatch roofs on green hill forts.
The Celts had sophisticated and advanced trading networks long before the Romans arrived. Their wealth came from their hidden gold deposits (Celtic Gaul), which they kept secret. Many assuming their wealth was from trading, making them the target of invasions, including one led by Julius Caesar.
The Spirit of Wales uses Celtic knots in our logo to celebrate this heritage. The Dara knot symbolises trees, specifically oak trees, which were valued by the Celts. The knot represents the longevity and strength of the tree through its interconnected branches and roots.
Celtic Languages
Each Celtic region has its cultural nuances and languages. A mystical nation that originated from Western Europe with few real documented accounts. Not trusting their secrets in written form, the Celts represented their lives through intricate artworks and patterns.
Ancient Celtic languages are prevalent today, evolved into modern Celtic languages, spoken by communities in concentrated regions in the United Kingdom. Unlike languages like Cornish, which almost went extinct, the Welsh language is alive and spoken fluently.
Interestingly, Celtic Welsh and Cornish do not include the letters K Q V and Z in their alphabet. These two languages are remarkably similar, sharing words for numbers, colours, animals, and weather.
The Wright brothers claim to have invented flying, but we all know that eight years before they set off in their flying machine in 1895, Welsh inventor Bill Frost took a short-lived flight and landed in a tree.
DISTILLED IN NEWPORT
By Passionate Friendly People
With its rich history, Newport is a unique city. On the mouth of River Usk, once the largest exporter of coal in Wales. Newport has attracted people for centuries.
Twelve miles from the capital Cardiff, Newport is the third-largest city in Wales, a gateway between England and Wales, with a deep cultural heritage dating back to Celtic settlements over two thousand years ago. From the Roman conquests to the Norman settlers who built the first castles to the chartists who developed modern democracy, our history is long. During the nineteenth century,
Newport went through rapid expansion with coal exports and steel production. The town provided accessible and modern docks with fourteen locks to transport cargo down the Usk; trade flourished, and the population grew.
In the early 20th century, we built the transporter bridge to carry passengers over the river. Still in use today and an iconic part of the Newport skyline. Just like that forever changed skyline, we want to capture moments in history in liquid form for you to enjoy today. It is a celebration of Newport and its people, full of cultural surprises.
Speaking of Cultural surprises, did you know this eclectic place that has inspired many people, including Joe Strummer from The Clash? He arrived in 1973 as a scruffy musician attracted to the brimming art scene before spearheading the punk scene. Johnny Cash also owes his comeback to Newport, a place of choice and opportunity where Jon Langford reignited his image with punk. As the Welsh nation, we have inspired much and have a lot to celebrate. The Spirit of Wales exists to say cheers to Newport and its people.
It is true, Harry Houdini, the great illusionist, visited Newport, where police arrested him for doing his craft. Once handcuffed, he then jumped off the Newport bridge whilst thousands watched in disbelief. Once he hit the water, he was free of his handcuffs and swam to a nearby boat and escaped with just a broken toe.
Spirit of Wales Guided Distillery Tour in Newport
Explore the Spirit of Wales Distillery in Newport
Have you ever wondered how our delicious gin, vodka, or rum is made? Discover how we go from landscape to bottle to perfect serve at Spirit of Wales Distillery. Join us for a guided tour of our Newport distillery to explore Welsh drinks in a unique way. The People’s Spirit, inspired by you!
Distillery Tour at the Spirit of Wales
We welcome you to visit our distillery in Newport in South Wales. This guided distillery tour includes a brief background of our distillery and the venue and tasters. The Spirit of Wales. A great destination to discover our handcrafted and award-winning Welsh spirits that embody a rich cultural heritage.
How do the tour and mini-tasting work?
Our tours give you an immersive view of our distillery in Newport, from botanical to bottle. Find out more about the landscapes around Wales, which inspire our ingredient selection and production methods. Learn how spirits are made while sampling 4 different spirits before taking a photo in front of our distilling machines. Don’t forget to join us afterwards for additional drinks in the bar or pick up a bottle to take home with you.
What’s included in the guided distillery tour?
- Introduction to the distillery followed by an overview of our no-nonsense approach to distilling our Welsh products, ingredients, and production methods.
- A mini tasting of 4 of our gins, vodkas or rums.
- Don’t forget your discount voucher for 10% off drinks or additional cocktails from our bar or website.
