Distillery tours mean the fun really be-gins
Venue’s first batch is inspired by the County Town’s history
Gin lovers will soon be able to visit Maidstone’s new distillery which aims to keep the past alive, while offering a new take on the spirit.
Maidstone Distillery has just opened and is the brainchild of founders, Darren and Sam Graves who have taken over a former hairdressers in Market Buildings.
With the ceiling left at its full height and the original brick arches preserved, the distillery is both spacious and stylish. The reception area, from which customers can collect a bottle of the company’s first product, George Bishop London Dry Gin, has been tastefully designed with comfy seating and a solid oak counter. But it’s the almighty, 450 litre copper still which is by far the main feature of the room. With its various polished pipes towering above and glinting under the light and portholes providing a peep into the magical distilling process, it looks like something out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - albeit the adult, boozy version.
Hidden in a separate area behind the great mechanism is the experience room, complete with mini stills so guests can make their own batch of gin in the space of an afternoon. Dozens of jars filled with botanicals line the open shelves, so visitors can create their own, unique flavour. Bookings for the experiences can be made via the website and start next month.
Also in the room are various panels displaying information about the County Town’s spirit heritage, something which spurred Mr and Mrs Graves on to launch their own distillery. Before pursuing their distilling dream, Mr Graves worked in construction, following a 10-year stint in the army, and Mrs Graves was a project manager for Kent County Council. But now they live and breathe their new business. Mrs Graves said: “We’ve got three boys and the distillery has sort of become our fourth child. It’s hard to stop talking about it when we’re at home but we just really enjoy what we’re doing.”
Her husband added: “We thought the process might have happened quicker but we didn’t want to compromise on anything and set the bar very
“We have three boys and the distillery has sort of become our fourth child”
high. So meeting people who have tried our gin and really enjoyed it is great. We got an email from a lady the other day about how much she loved it.” Everything from ingredients storage to label design and bottling up is carried out within the four walls of the distillery.
The venue’s second product, Ranscombe Wild Dry Gin, will launch very soon and a liqueur is also in development. The team hope, with time, to be producing a wide range of spirits, including vodka and whisky.
George Bishop gin is £39 and can be bought from themaidstonedistillery.com, where tours can also be booked.