Wharf Distillery 2 Brackley Road, Towcester, NN12 6DJ, UK
Wharf Gin Innovative Artisan copper pot
THE SPIRIT OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
WELCOME TO WHARF DISTILLERY
We are an independent small-batch copper-pot distillery producing a range of exciting spirits and liqueurs from our location in the old market town of Towcester in South Northamptonshire. We are one of England’s smallest whisky distilleries and distil apple brandy from locally sourced apples. We also have a range of single malts, gin, vodka and rum, all crafted by hand to create the highest quality spirits.
We offer distillery tours and welcome everyone to come and see how it is all done on our small copper pot stills. Our distillery shop is open most weekdays and Saturdays, or you can order online here.
GRAIN TO GLASS
Currently we are the only grain to glass distillery in Northamptonshire which means that we don’t just buy in neutral spirit to make our products, we actually ferment raw ingredients to create an initial base alcohol.
AUTHENTIC
We are proud to craft a great range of spirits. Our products range from English Whisky, gin, brandy, liqueurs, as well as our own range of exotic blends and flavours of liqueurs and aperitifs. Our distiller crafts new artisan spirits from a diverse range of local ingredients, all created in our handmade Portuguese copper alembic pot stills.
OUR SPIRITS
Whether you are looking for the perfect after dinner drink, or an ideal mixer for your home cocktail creations, we have amazing spirits for you to sample. Find us in local independent shops, local markets and food festivals in and around Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire.
MEET OUR GROWING TEAM
LAURENCEAfter his Hard Core dry cider was crowned Champion Cider of Britain in 2011 Laurence began distilling some of the rougher stuff into apple brandy until, in 2017, Laurence decided to refocus solely on distilling and founded Wharf Distillery.
ALICEAlice provides the creative force behind Wharf Distillery as well as managing our bottling and fulfilment capabilities. Alice is a whizz on the social media where her images of the distillery and products bring our Instagram and Facebook pages to life.
NICKNick joined us on a cider-making course several years ago, and jumped when the opportunity arose to become a part-time distiller. Having joined us in 2019, he now distills everything from our signature Apple Brandy to our award-winning Gins.
IRENE Already known to us for many years, we were delighted when Irene agreed to join the team in 2021. You can find Irene bottling miniatures, tracking inventory, despatching orders, or manning our distillery shop where she always extends a warm welcome to all our visitors.
PETE is one of our trainee distiller and also mucks in with bottling and labelling. As a retired Police Office and Teacher, Pete brings a bit of order to the distillery.
LACTODORUM | TOWCESTER GIN
£6.00 – £36.50
Lactodorum is an ancient Roman stronghold now known as Towcester. Surrounded by open fields and meadows, one of our favourite places is down by the mill race where there is an abundance of wild flowers which have inspired this limited edition gin.
OLD SILSON | SILVERSTONE GIN
£6.00 – £36.50
The village of Old Silson (Silverstone) is very close to our distillery, so this limited edition Gin is a small tribute to the village and its racing heritage. Inspiration for the botanicals is taking from the ancient woodlands that surround the area.
SAFINE DRENC | NORTHAMPTONSHIRE GIN
£6.00 – £36.50
[sæf In] [drengk] Anglo-Saxon n. Juniper drink: Our original gin, rich with Juniper and hints of lemongrass, heather and elderflower. Crafted in small batches using the finest botanicals to create an elixir of true distinction.
NTG LEMON & BASIL
£5.50 – £28.00
Think of the Mediterranean and we get that classic marriage of citrus lemon and fresh basil. The perfect combination for those piping hot summer afternoons. Superbly pairs with any premium mixer
NTG ORANGE & POMEGRANATE Gin
£5.50 – £28.00
Think of the Southern States of America and we get that classic marriage of sweet orange and subtle pomegranate. The perfect combination for those barmy indian summer afternoons. Superbly pairs with Merchant’s Heart Original or Ginger Ale mixers.
CROMER GIN
£30.00
This gin has been created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cromer Carnival, with all profits going to the Cromer Voluntary Entertainments Organisation who put the carnival on each year.
THE HERALDRY SOCIETY CORONATION GIN 40%
£32.00
The Heraldry Society exists to increase and extend interest in and knowledge of heraldry, armory, chivalry, genealogy and allied subjects. An educational charity, founded in 1947, the current President is the Earl Marshal of England, His Grace the Duke of Norfolk. This gin has been produced to mark the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The Heraldry Society exists to increase and extend interest in and knowledge of heraldry, armory, chivalry, genealogy and allied subjects.
We are an educational charity, founded in 1947 by John P. Brooke-Little, CVO, KStJ, FSA, FHS when he was Bluemantle Pursuivant of Arms. He went on to become Clarenceux King of Arms.
Our current President is the Earl Marshal of England, His Grace the Duke of Norfolk.
WE’D LOVE TO SHOW YOU AROUND
About the trip
Each month we run several distillery tours where you can come and have a look around the distillery, hear about what we do and how we do it and, of course, you can sample some of our products. Tours are hosted by Laurence, founder of Wharf Distillery, who is more than happy share with you as much as you would like to know about the various processes for making gin, brandy or whisky.
A drink is included in the ticket price (there is an option to take away a miniature spirit in lieu of a drink on site).
We look forward to meeting you.
Laurence, Alice & Team
Additional information
Please note that there is limited parking at the distillery. We ask that all visitors during the week use the nearby on-street parking. All parking in Towcester is FREE.
Warning – Please be careful on site as heavy goods vehicles are in constant operation in front of the Distillery during the week.
Prices
Adult: £18
Starting time
13:00
Departure
Towcester
New distillery set to make Northamptonshire town centre debut
The brand new distillery makes brandy, gin, whisky, rum and much more
By
Alice Wilson
What started as a hobby of cider making for Northamptonshire man Laurence Conisbee has turned into a full-blown business venture.
Laurence began using apples from his garden and hedgerows to make cider back in 2009, but what started as a fun past-time became his full-time job when he was made redundant from his job in IT.
“I started to seriously consider what I wanted to do with my life,” Laurence said.
“I looked into how I could start making cider for a living. I spoke to a few fruit producers and worked out where I could supply it to, and before I knew it, it was a viable business idea.”
Laurence began making cider, apple brandy and the odd liqueur, and before long, he moved production to a Wharf-side location on the Grand Union Canal – hence the name.
In 2017, the team at Wharf Distillery made the decision to stop making the cider and concentrate on other spirits.
“When we started, there were hardly any cider makers in Northamptonshire,” Laurence said.
“By 2017, there were about 15 cider makers within around 20 miles. But, there was no distillery. So, we made the decision to stop making the cider, we ordered another still and re-branded at Wharf Distillery, and have tried to establish ourselves ever since.”
CRAFT DRINKS CONSULTANCY
WE’VE BEEN THERE. We started producing alcoholic drinks in 1995 and have built up a wealth of knowledge, experience, and contacts in the drinks and drinks-related industries since then. You could say we’ve been through the pain so that you don’t have to. No matter what your ambition we can offer as much or little practical advice as you need to either get you started, to increase your confidence, develop recipes, or even to manage a complete installation and commissioning.
When starting your own drinks brand there is a lot more involved than many people realise. Nothing is insurmountable however, whether you are looking for a contract distiller, or wish to do part or the whole process yourself there are many things you need to consider along the way in order that you do not fall foul of regulations and the law.
Whether you are already making, or aspire to make, cider, mead, gin, brandy, or any other alcoholic drink but just need some guidance, then please do get in touch. You can book a no-obligation discovery call here, or an initial one-hour discounted phone consultation here. We look forward to working with you.
