Meet the Maker: Atlantic Distillery

We took a tour around Cornwall’s only Soil Association certified organic distillery with Stuart Thomson, Partner and Head Brewer, and discovered the diverse range of flavours picked from their own back garden, and how their origins as a brewery helped create the distillery it is today.

Atlantic Distillery’s ‘Ring of Fire’ chilli gin is featured in our South West Specialist tasting box, available here.

Initially just Atlantic Brewery, the distillery arm of this Cornish brand was set up by Stuart and his friend David Carbis, both with a passion for flavours, cooking and experimenting. The pair used botanicals from their own gardens and the surrounding area, to create new and intriguing drinks inspired by the Cornish countryside. Since then, the distillery has grown to include ten gins, three liqueurs and two vodkas, and is sold in hotels, bars and restaurants up and down the country. With exciting plans to expand and move the distilling a few miles away, we were glad we to see where it all began.

Inspired by nature

Being keen gardeners and home cooks, their products are shaped by what can be grown in their garden.

“Everything we produce is tightly linked to our surroundings. We’ve grown stuff, tried it, and thought ‘wow, that would be nice in a gin’, and go from there. We even grow our own Angelica root. It’s harvested once a year and we process and dry it; it’s not something typically done by gin makers but we like to do it ourselves - because we can!”

Reducing the environmental impact of the distillery is a key focus for Stuart and the team. The distillery is certified organic by the Soil Association - the only distillery in Cornwall to have the accreditation.

Growing or foraging produce, and working with sustainable suppliers for the few ingredients they can’t produce themselves, means low ‘food miles’, and showcases and supports Cornwall’s abundant natural produce.

Bountiful flavours

The range of botanicals packed into Atlantic’s products is incredible; blackcurrant and mint, gooseberry and elderflower, rhubarb and vanilla - all grown by Stuart and his wife in their garden, including the ‘Ring of Fire’ chillies which spice the chilli gin featured in our upcoming collection. 

As well as their wide range of gins, vodkas and liqueurs - and beers, of course - Atlantic are now producing their own cider at the brewery, and are currently working on creating their own blend of organic sweetener.

Looking forward, the team is working with a diverse range of suppliers as they develop their products and investigate new flavours. The distillery itself is expanding to a different site as it continues to grow in both range and popularity. And after planting 30 juniper trees on the land several years ago, Stuart is hoping it’s not too long until they can launch a truly Cornish gin, made with juniper berries grown onsite.

Adding a spicy kick with an unusual flavour

Atlantic’s ‘Ring of Fire’ chilli gin is featured in our upcoming South West gins collection. After tasting it, we just couldn’t leave it out - it’s an intriguing, experimental flavour, that showcases the movement of craft gins away from traditional, often restrictive, styles. The spicy kick is followed by a taste of floral botanicals, and pairs perfectly with ginger ale to complement the warmth of the spirit.

Head over to the Atlantic Distillery website to find out more about their products, and order them online: https://www.atlanticdistillery.co.uk/

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