Hampstead Farm, Binfield Heath, Henley-on-Thames RG9 4LG, UK
The Henley Gin Trend Passionate Distillery
The Henley Gin Trend Passionate Distillery
ABOUT US
THE HENLEY DISTILLERY
The Henley Distillery is made up of a small team whose energy and passion are infectious. Each member brings their own strengths and we have built on the foundation of a family unit to form a supportive, solid structure of people who love what they do. Team meetings usually involve several bouts of belly-laughing and end with pizza and gin.
OUR AWARDS
Having recently marked our one year anniversary, we are truly delighted with the global recognition we have received since our launch. Not only have we been awarded multiple medals for our own Henley Gin, but rather unusually for the industry, we have been awarded medals for our white label gin and the premium spirits we have produced for our valued contract clients.
The awards are all judged blind and of course we are so grateful for the recognition we have received from the people who really know gin. Feedback from our customers is equally as important to us, of course, and we would like to thank every person who has supported us and bought our gin over the last year.
The Henley Gin Trend Passionate Distillery
MEET THE TEAM
JACOB
JACOB – OWNER AND MASTER DISTILLER – CREATOR OF GIN, LOVER OF CAKE
Jacob has spent his career making a name for himself in the spirits industry. Since running pop-up bars at university, his thirst for knowledge has not yet been quenched and he has worked his way up the distilling ladder learning his trade at highly respected operations around the country.
At only 28, Jacob has now funnelled his passion, refined his exquisite palate and harnessed his intricate experience and knowledge of the distilling process to go into partnership with his father and realise his dream of creating his own spirits, in his own distillery, doing it his own way.
Jacob is Henley-born and has brought his dream venture back to his home town. As the son of local artists, Jacob has inherited not only his parents’ love of gin but their passion for hand-crafted quality. Our stills have been affectionately named after Jacob’s Grandfathers, Mac and Tony, both highly respected locals and the rotund, copper vessels are not only the heart of the distilling process but stand proud at the heart of the distillery itself.
BEN
BEN – HEAD DISTILLER – ALL ABOUT THE FLAVOURS
The latest addition to our team is our Head Distiller Ben. Ben has jumped on board The Henley Distillery train and is already striking a great partnership with Jacob, developing recipes for our own brands as well as our contract distilling clients.
Ben studied at Southampton completing a Masters in Marine Biology. After University Ben ‘spent far too long picking worms out of mud’ and decided on a career change. With a big passion for cooking, flavours and science he found that distilling was the perfect fit. He started distilling in Devon before moving to Cardiff, and has now settled here in Henley.
Ben is the definition of cool, calm and collected… loves comedy, is a huge music nerd and knows how to grow a mean moustache. Ben went to see Barbie 4 times in his first month of starting and still hasn’t restored his reputation.
ALAN
ALAN – DIRECTOR – (AND JACOB’S DAD)
Alan is a local artist, a sculptor and is incredibly talented when it comes to forming things from wood, metal or any other material really. Alan is responsible for designing and building most of the infrastructure in the distillery – everything from the bottling room, the stainless steel and zinc tables, the stunning Gin Experience room, the zinc backdrop in the distillery – all built by his hand. He also designs all of the distillery artwork – our logo, labels and gift boxes.
As the patriarch of our small team, Alan can be found designing labels, hosting tours and tastings, planning the future with Jacob and trading at markets but mainly, you’ll find him eating biscuits… blimey does he love a biscuit… especially if it has been snaffled from someone else.
When Jacob was little, Alan and Terry (Jacob’s Mum) used to infuse local fruits in gin at home and after MUCH pleading from Jacob, Alan gave him his first sip when he was just 8 years old. The intention was to put him off spirits for life and boy, did that backfire!
CHRISTIAN
CHRISTIAN – OPERATIONS MANAGER – LOVER OF DOGS
Christian has been working in operations for 25 years, enjoys multi-tasking and managing multiple projects whilst resolving any issues at the same time. He loves a challenge which is just as well as he keeps the rest of the team in check!
Christian brings us structure, order, process, organisation and can deliver a dead-pan TV or film quote like no other.
He has a passion for old Volkswagens and will travel all over the country to rescue them, he is a lover of dogs, has a wicked sense of humour and is a joy to work with.
KERRY
KERRY – HEAD OF MARKETING – DRINK TASTE-TESTER
The majority of Kerry’s career to date has been spent as a PA both in corporate and private situations including working as Travelling PA to Simon Cowell for a few years. She thrives on both variety and a challenge and has found an abundance of both since joining the team at The Henley Distillery.
Wearing many hats on a daily basis, Kerry heads-up marketing, PR, B2B, export sales and gets involved in strategy. Her arm doesn’t take much twisting when it comes to taste-testing the new products either!
Kerry suffers from incurable wanderlust – there’s only one life and a lot of world to see.
VICKI
VICKI – HEAD OF SALES & EVENTS – ENFORCER OF FUN
With a Masters degree in Criminal Psychology and previous jobs that include working with young offenders, IT sales and being a scuba diving instructor, Vicki’s skill set is eclectic to say the least!
Vicki is the ultimate people person. We rely on her for passion, energy and to motivate us all. She heads-up our sales team creating relationships with retailers, pubs, restaurants and event spaces all over the country. Vicki is also responsible for us all getting out and about at markets and festivals throughout the year.
KATIE
KATIE – PRODUCTION ASSISTANT & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER – (AND JACOB’S FIANCÉ!)
Without Katie, the distillery simply wouldn’t run. She will turn her hand to anything and as a performing arts teacher and star of the stage, she does so in style…and usually in song!
Katie runs social media, is amazing at customer service and can be found bottling, labeling, hosting events and generally ensuring the distillery runs smoothly, calmly and always with a smile.
(She can also drop into the splits on request and loves Christmas more than anyone we have ever met.)
TERRY
TERRY – TRAINEE DISTILLER, PRODUCTION ASSISTANT – (AND JACOB’S MUM)
Terry is a true local to Henley as her family has lived in the area since the 1700s.
Terry is an artist and all-round creative. She had her own business creating incredible hyper-realistic cakes but has recently focused her time on the distillery. As a pastry chef, Terry taught Jacob all he needed to know about taste and flavours from a young age. Jacob is now returning the favour, imparting his own knowledge…
As well as taking on some distilling herself, Terry works the bottling room, hosts events/markets creates the syrups which are used in our spirits – such as the local rhubarb syrup in our Rhubarb & Orange gin.
Whenever Terry is around there’s always cake… so she’s obviously everybody’s favourite and just to add yet another string to her bow – she plays in a ukulele band as well!
The Henley Gin Trend Passionate Distillery
HENLEY GIN – THE METHOD
300l gleaming copper alembic stills ‘Tony, Mac, Daisy & Pauline’ are heated over open flames giving Jacob complete control over each of the genuinely small batches. There are no industrial rectifying columns here, nothing is chill-filtered and each bottle of the single-shot sipping gin is hand-filled, hand-labelled, hand-numbered and sealed with pride.
Jacob makes the cuts by taste, not machine. He runs the stills to the point at which they produce the optimum flavour and there starts the heart of the batch. The heads and tails are discarded and Henley Gin is the premium spirit that remains.
As well as developing his own brand in Henley Gin, Jacob also shares his energy and passion with others as part of his contract distilling venture. Jacob is creating global award-winning spirits for brands, big and small across the UK.
To learn more about the distilling process from a Head Distiller and taste the kind produced at The Henley Distillery, why not take advantage of one of our Tour and Tasting sessions or even our fully-immersive Henley Distillery Gin Experience.
CLASSIC DRY Gin
Henley Gin
42% ABV
70cl or 20cl
Voted Best English London Dry at The World Gin Awards 2022
A contemporary twist on a London Dry, this award-winning signature sipping craft gin elegantly builds on the familiar juniper foundation as citrusy flavours blossom from orange peel, kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass; warmth flickers from bold Szechuan peppercorns before mellowing with the deep, rich notes of cardamom and vanilla-like tonquin beans to create a smooth, refined balance. Nothing but ice and premium tonic is needed to create the perfect serve.
£40 (tax included)
Available in 70cl or 20cl bottles. Henley Gin glasses available to purchase when collecting from the distillery.
The Henley Gin Trend Passionate Distillery
RHUBARB & ORANGE Gin
Henley Gin
42% ABV
70cl or 20cl
Winner of The Spirit Business Gin Masters Award – the highest accolade in 2021
Deceptive in blushing pink, this single-shot, award-winning artisan gin has been layered with fresh hand peeled orange zest and tart English rhubarb to create an elegant and refreshing craft gin.
The depth of the delicate flavours are best appreciated by serving with ice, premium tonic and orange peel but if a hint of sweetness is desired, ginger ale also makes a glorious summer companion.
Henley Gin Rhubarb & Orange was awarded the Masters Medal in the pink gin category at the Gin Masters Awards 2021 – the highest accolade possible.
The judges noted:
“Quality-wise, this was leaps and bounds above the rest. It combines so many pink and dark fruit sensations, cassis on the nose, confected raspberry, jammy rhubarb on the palate – but all balanced. Pink gin can sometimes be a bit nondescript but this offered so much – lovely complexity.”
£40 (tax included)
Available in 70cl or 20cl bottles. 42% ABV.
Henley Gin glasses available to purchase when collecting from the distillery
The Henley Gin Trend Passionate Distillery
ORIENTAL SPICED Gin
Henley Gin
42% ABV
70cl or 20cl
Winner of the The Master Award at The Global Gin Masters Awards 2022 and also Winner in the Spiced Gin category at The Gin Guide Awards 2022.
Available in 70cl or 20cl bottles, 42% ABV
£40 (tax included)
A complex blend of rich spices inspired by the Silk Road. Long Pepper and Cubeb combine with fiery Ginger and hint of Lemon Zest Nothing but ice and premium tonic is needed to create the perfect serve.
The Henley Gin Trend Passionate Distillery
LIMITED EDITION REGATTA CUP
Regatta Cup
25% ABV
50cl
10% of all profits from the sale of our Regatta Cup will be donated to our charity partner – Action For M.E.
With our multi-award-winning Henley Gin Classic Dry as the base, this summer cup has been steeped with English blueberries, blackberries & strawberries and sweetened with Honeys of Henley honey. The the addition of citrus peel and earl grey tea provide subtle notes to balance the red fruits creating this refreshing summer drink.
The serve is versatile and we’ve been having lots of fun playing with different recipes! 1 part Regatta Cup to 3 parts lemonade is a winner, best poured over lots of ice and garnished with blueberries, strawberries, mint leaves and wedges of orange.
Do keep an eye on our social media channels for more serving suggestions including our very own take on an Aperol Spritz!
Only 420 bottles have been made so pre-order your summer tipple now before it’s too late!
50cl bottles – 25% ABV – £26 (tax included) – Free delivery on orders over £70
The Henley Gin Trend Passionate Distillery
THE HENLEY DISTILLERY CORPORATE
The Henley Gin Trend Passionate Distillery
CORPORATE GIFTS & EXPERIENCES
Whether thanking clients for their loyalty, or staff for their dedication, who doesn’t love to feel appreciated? The Henley Distillery invites companies and individuals to create bespoke gifts and experiences, tailored to suit the ethos and visuals of their brand.
There are various levels of personalisation and you can choose to be as involved as you’d like to be in the process. Each individual gift created will be hand-bottled, hand-labelled and will contain a hand-crafted, small batch spirit.
OUR TOURS & EXPERIENCES
Whether you are interested in learning more about distilling, would like to be guided through a gin-tasting session or would even like to try your hand at craft gin-production yourself, our fairy-lit barn creates the perfect venue in which to immerse yourself in the process.
The Henley Gin Trend Passionate Distillery
TOURS & TASTINGS
£20.00
Tax Included
Running from 11am – 12pm on Saturdays
- 45 Minute experience
- Tour of the distillery guided by a head distiller
- Sample our 3 different gins + 3 different rums
- Enjoy a large Henley G&T
We have opened the doors of our 18th Century threshing barn and are inviting visitors to come and immerse themselves in the gin-making process.
Taking place in the hub of the distillery, this 45 minute experience will begin with a tour during which, guests will learn about the history of gin and its distilling process. We produce our spirits using traditional, artisan methods and a Head Distiller will share their knowledge and experience with you as you discover the journey that ends with our hand-crafted gins.
Each guest will have the opportunity to sample our 3 different variations of Henley Gin + 3 variations of Temple Island Rum produced by Master Distiller Jacob and will do so whilst enjoying a large Henley G&T in our beautiful barn. The drivers in the group will take home their selected gin in an individual 5cl bottle and will be served a soft drink to enjoy during the experience.
Our tours and tastings run on Saturdays with a maximum group of 12 people at each session – please click below to view our calendar and book.
We also offer gift cards perfect for any gin lover and for groups of 8 people or more, we can offer this as a private experience at a time to suit your group – please do get in touch for further information..
The Henley Gin Trend Passionate Distillery
THE HENLEY DISTILLERY
THE HENLEY GIN EXPERIENCE DISTILL YOUR OWN GIN
The Henley Gin Trend Passionate Distillery
THE HENLEY GIN EXPERIENCE
£100.00
Tax Included
This is our signature experience which invites guests to fully immerse themselves in the gin-making process.
Included in The Henley Distillery Gin Experience:
- A tour of the distillery, learning about the history of gin from a Head Distiller
- A gin tasting including a variety of variations produced on site including:
- Raspberry & Black Pepper
- Spiced Orange
- Lemon & Chilli
- Oriental Spiced
- Raspberry & Black Pepper
- 2x Large G&Ts plus a gin cocktail
- The use of your own individual still to produce a full-size 70cl bottle of bespoke gin
- Advice and guidance on recipe development from our expert gin experts
- The choice of over 100 botanicals from out apothecary including tonquin beans, chilli & English rhubarb
- Your own recipe written on a personalised label and stored on file for the future
- Groups are kept small with a maximum of 12 attendees per session
Taking place in the hub of the distillery, guests will begin with a tour & tasting during which, they will learn about the history of gin and its distilling journey. We produce our spirits using traditional, artisan methods and a Head Distiller will share their knowledge and experience with you as you discover the processes which create our hand-crafted gins.
Following the tasting, the group of no more than 12 people will move across the courtyard, G&T in hand, to the gin school where individual copper stills will be reading and waiting.
With our experts on hand to provide guidance and advice, each guest will choose from over 100 botanicals and will create their own uniquely personal 70cl bottle of gin.
In addition, guests will leave with their own formula not only written on their personalised gin label, but we will also keep it safe enabling customers to order more bottles of their bespoke creation in the future.
The Gin Experience also makes a fabulous gift for any gin lover and gift cards can be purchased here either as e-gift cards or physical ribbon-tied gift cards.
ACTION FOR M.E
CHARITY PARTNERSHIP
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT
Having struggled with the debilitating and often misunderstood symptoms of M.E as a teenager, our Founder & Master Distiller Jacob Wilson is delighted to have been accepted as charity partner for Action For M.E. he joins forces with the organisation, building a #globalvoiceforme ahead of World M.E Day on the 12th may as well as using all of the tools at his disposal to raise valuable funds to influence the trajectory of M.E research, treatment & support.
Jacob lived with M.E from the age of 14. His younger years were deeply affected and he struggled with school attendance and qualifications as a result.
As an adult, Jacob realises how fortunate he is to consider himself to be free of his symptoms and he is very aware that this is not the outcome for so many people.
We at the Distillery will be working hard this year to raise not only money but also awareness of M.E to try and make an impact to the many people currently living with the condition.
Action For M.E have said of the partnership:
“We are very excited to begin this partnership with The Henley Distillery, helping us continue our mission to empower people with M.E to fulfil their potential and secure the care and support they need, while working towards a greater understanding of the illness and ultimately a cure.
We recognise that not everyone with M.E recovers, but with this partnership we will be able to raise further awareness of the reality of M.E and the desperate need for more research into this illness.”
