Number of UK craft distilleries grows by 40 in 2017

According to a study published by the British group of chartered accountants UHY Hacker Young, in 2017 the number of UK-based distilleries grew by approximately 30% compared to 2016 (a total of 170 compared to 131), driven by the UK-wide boom in consumption of craft gin and rum.

According to the Wine & Spirits Trade Association, sales of craft rum have grown from £960 million to more than £1 billion.

Craft spirits are very popular amongst enthusiasts who are willing to pay a premium price and are also much sought after by the major spirits producers, who are keen to team up with high-end craft distilleries.

In recent months, the Spanish group Diego Zamora acquired a 45% stake in the London-based Reformed Spirits Company, owner of the Martin Miller’s Gin brand. In early 2018 the Liverpool-based company Halewood Wine & Spirits acquired the spiced rum brand Dead Man’s Fingers (Cornwall) and BI Wines & Spirits (UK) acquired a 25% stake in Westmorland Spirits, a young British distillery that produces Giplin’s Gin.