Evie: Laurence, let’s start at the beginning. How did Wharf Distillery come to life?

Laurence: Wharf really began by accident. Back in 2009 I was just making cider as a hobby — nothing serious. Then I unexpectedly stepped away from corporate life and suddenly had a bit of space. One thing led to another: cider turned into apple brandy, which led me into distillation. There was never a grand plan. It was just a series of moments where taking the next step felt right.

We’ve been based in Towcester since 2021, tucked just off the high street. Everything happens on one site: the distillery, a small shop, and an event space where we run a bar and host events throughout the year, often with other local businesses. It’s a nice mix of making, sharing, and being part of the town.

Evie: Wharf has a reputation for being a little different. What sets you apart?

Laurence: We produce a really broad range of spirits — whisky, gin, rum, vodka and more — and a lot of what we make is distilled from base ingredients rather than bought‑in spirit. We’re also England’s smallest whisky distillery and one of the early names in the modern English whisky scene. We’re small, very hands‑on, and shaped by the place and people around us.

Evie: Are there any moments that really stand out for you?

Laurence: Releasing our first single malt English whisky is definitely one. It wasn’t planned — much like the rest of our journey — but seeing people enjoy that first release was huge for us.

We’ve also been lucky enough to pick up awards over the years, locally and nationally, for everything from our gin to our whisky and even our apple brandy. For a distillery our size, that kind of recognition means a lot.

And then there are our open days and tastings. They’re small, relaxed, and very personal. People hear the whole story from me directly, ask whatever they like, and try a few spirits at the end. No scripts, no gloss — just us sharing what we do.

Evie: That sounds like lots of fun. What can visitors look forward to this year?

Laurence: We’ve got a lively year ahead. There are new releases coming, including limited‑edition whiskies that take what we’ve done so far in some new directions.

On the visitor side, we’re expanding our tours and tastings, and bringing back a more hands‑on gin school so people can spend more time with the process. Alongside our Wedding Gin Experience, it gives visitors a chance to get properly involved.

We’re also working more closely with local food producers to create pairing events and small collaborative evenings. It feels like a natural extension of what we already do — keeping things local, relaxed, and rooted in the community.

Evie: Since you’re such a hidden gem, is there something people are always surprised to learn?

Laurence: People often assume we’re “just a gin distillery,” but we’re actually one of the very few truly independent grain‑to‑glass distilleries in England. We handle everything ourselves — from raw grain to distilling, bottling, and labelling.

Another thing that raises eyebrows is that we’re also a contract distiller. We make spirits for other businesses, and our most well‑known client we’re allowed to mention is Bletchley Park.

Evie: Wow! That’s a huge client. Do you have a favourite place in the distillery?

Laurence: The distilling room, without question. The aroma of fermenting washes, the quiet rhythm of the equipment, and that moment when the spirit first comes off the still — it never loses its magic. It’s the heart of the place. Everything begins there, and every finished bottle eventually leaves through that same room.

Evie: I can see why it’s your fave spot. What do you find people talk about most after they visit?

Laurence: Definitely the tours and tastings. They’re personal, relaxed, and very open. Visitors get to stand right in the distillery, ask anything they like, hear the whole story from those early cider days to releasing our first whisky, and then taste the spirits we make. People leave feeling like they’ve genuinely been behind the scenes.

Evie: Is there a snippet of your tours you can give us right now? Maybe the stories surrounding your gins?

Laurence: Sure, our concept gins are rooted in the landscape around us. Lactodorum is inspired by the water meadows around Towcester — botanicals like Marshmallow and Meadowsweet grow naturally along the riverbank and give the gin its soft, floral character.

Old Silson takes its cues from Whittlewood Forest near Silverstone. It’s earthy, piney, a bit wild — so we use botanicals like wormwood, chicory, rowan berries, blackberries, rosehips, even oak bark. They bring those deeper woodland notes that feel like a walk through the forest after rain.

Evie: Anything else you’d like to share?

Laurence: English Tourism Week is a great reminder of why small, independent places matter. We love opening the doors and sharing the story — how it all started with a few demijohns of cider and slowly grew into what we are today. Everything we do is rooted in the landscape and the community around Towcester. That’s what makes it special.