The Sky Wave Distilling Company

What The Sky Wave Distilling Company does

The Sky Wave Distilling Company is a privately held craft spirits producer headquartered at the Bicester Heritage site in Oxfordshire, England. Founded in 2018 by former BBC reporter Rachel Hicks and former British Army officer / Master Distiller Andrew Parsons, it produces small-batch premium gins and vodkas using traditional London Dry gin methods in pot stills with a documented maximum output of 500 bottles per batch. The core range includes a Signature London Dry Gin, a Navy Strength expression, the Liberation London Dry, flavoured gins (Raspberry & Rhubarb, Orange & Madagascan Vanilla, Old Tom), a Spiced Apple Gin Liqueur, a Triple Distilled Vodka, a Sea Breeze Vodka and a Sky Wave Zero alcohol-free spirit. Production is differentiated by a proprietary 13-botanical recipe (including Oxfordshire-foraged blackberries), the use of Blenheim Palace Natural Mineral Water as the dilution source, and hand-selection of distillation 'hearts' by taste rather than instrument measurement.

Revenue is generated across five streams: DTC online sales via own e-commerce (UK delivery only), wholesale through UK stockists and distributors (Master of Malt, Amazon, Craft Drink Co, Dayla Drinks, Inn Express, Spirited), on-site distillery experiences (tours, cocktail masterclasses, live distilling events, virtual tastings, the on-site Bar 101 @ Sky Wave), bespoke/contract gin creation for corporate clients (Berkley Care Group, Bodleian Libraries, Blenheim Palace), and ancillary sales of glassware, merchandise, hampers and a bottle refill service. The brand has accumulated 87+ international awards, including World's Best Contemporary London Dry Gin at the 2020 World Gin Awards and Distillery of the Year 2024 at The Gin Guide Awards, supporting a premium positioning and gifting use case.

The company operates as a UK-only business with no international shipping, holds SALSA food safety approval and Oxford Living Wage Employer accreditation, and has raised over £135,000 via an equity crowdfunding campaign on Republic Europe. Its headcount is in the 11-50 range and all production remains under direct founder oversight.

Name

The Sky Wave Distilling Company

Legal name

The Sky Wave Distilling Company Limited

Website

https://skywavegin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Sky Wave Distilling Company is a UK craft distillery producing small-batch premium gins, vodkas and an alcohol-free spirit in Oxfordshire using a 13-botanical recipe and Blenheim Palace mineral water, selling via its own e-commerce store, UK stockists, an on-site bar, and bespoke contract gin services for corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Distilleries (31214), Beverage Manufacturing (3121), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Craft spirit production
• Small batch distillation
• Premium gin manufacturing
• Craft vodka production
• Contract distilling services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Spirits Sales: Direct-to-consumer and wholesale sales of craft gins and vodka through own e-commerce store and network of UK stockists. Products include Signature London Dry Gin, flavoured gins, vodka, and alcohol-free spirit
2. Distillery Experiences: Revenue from distillery tours, cocktail masterclasses, live distilling events, and virtual gin tasting experiences at the Bicester Heritage site
3. Bespoke Gin Creation / Contract Distilling: Custom gin development and production services for corporate clients and individuals wanting their own gin brand. Includes proof of concept development and full production runs
4. Bottle Refill Service: Refill service for existing 700ml bottles of selected gins at discounted price
5. Merchandise and Gift Products: Sales of branded merchandise including glassware, jiggers, bar blades, and gift hampers

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Sky Wave Distilling Company is a small-batch craft distillery producing premium gins, vodkas, gin liqueurs and an alcohol-free spirit, capped at 500 bottles per batch using traditional London Dry pot-still methods. It complements its spirits range with branded merchandise, gift hampers, a bottle refill service, on-site distillery experiences and a bespoke/contract distilling service for corporate clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Signature London Dry Gin The Sky Wave Signature London Dry Gin (500ml and 700ml bottles) is the company's flagship spirit, crafted from a 13-botanical recipe, diluted only with Blenheim Palace Natural Mineral Water and bottled with no post-distillation additives, targeted at premium spirits enthusiasts and gifting buyers.
• Liberation London Dry Gin A limited-release London Dry Gin developed during the 2020 lockdown, recognised by multiple international awards including Contemporary Gin Category Winner at The Gin Guide Awards 2024 and Gold at the World Gin Awards 2022.
• Navy Strength London Dry Gin A 57% ABV Navy Strength London Dry Gin produced to the same small-batch standards as the Signature expression, marketed to enthusiasts who prefer higher-strength cocktails.
• Old Tom Gin A sweeter Old Tom style gin with a light citrusy aroma and honeyed sweetness, positioned for traditional cocktail serves and sipping.
• Orange and Madagascan Vanilla Gin A flavoured gin blending orange and Madagascan vanilla, built on Sky Wave's signature botanical base and targeted at flavoured gin and cocktail drinkers; the highest scoring orange gin in the world at the 2021 IWSC.
• Raspberry and Rhubarb Gin A flavoured gin combining raspberry and rhubarb, marketed as part of the 'Fruit Gin for Grown Ups' range and available in 200ml-700ml formats and as part of a Raspberry & Rhubarb Hamper gift pack.
• Spiced Apple Gin Liqueur A 20% ABV spiced apple gin liqueur positioned for autumn/winter serves and festive gifting, priced at GBP 28 per 700ml bottle.
• Triple Distilled Vodka A 40% ABV triple distilled craft vodka launched in June 2024, positioned as a clean, neutral spirit for cocktails and sipping; Gold Medal winner at the World Vodka Awards and recipient of a Design Award for bottle design.
• Sea Breeze Vodka A 40% ABV craft vodka infused with sea berries and cranberries, aimed at flavoured vodka drinkers and cocktail use, sold in 700ml bottles.
• Sky Wave Zero Alcohol-Free Spirit A 0% ABV alcohol-free spirit produced in the same small-batch format, targeting non-drinkers, designated drivers, mindful drinking consumers and gift buyers; commended at the 2024 World Alcohol Free Awards.
• Grapefruit Bitters A 20% ABV, 50ml grapefruit-flavoured cocktail bitters designed to complement Sky Wave's gin range and other home cocktail making.
• Gift Hampers Curated gin-themed gift hampers such as the Raspberry & Rhubarb Hamper (GBP 90) and the Ultimate Gin Lover's Hamper (GBP 140), marketed for premium gifting occasions including corporate and seasonal gifting.
• Bottle Refill Service A discounted bottle refill service for selected 700ml gins, enabling existing Sky Wave customers to refill bottles at a lower price point than buying a new bottle, aimed at repeat buyers and sustainability-minded consumers.
• Cocktail Masterclass A hands-on cocktail-making experience delivered at the distillery (from GBP 45 + VAT per person, minimum 10, maximum 16 guests) or off-site at customer premises (from GBP 55 + VAT per person), aimed at corporate team-building, private celebrations and gin enthusiast groups.
• Distillery Tours Guided tours of the Bicester Heritage distillery (including a 'The Master Distiller's Reserve' premium variant) for visitors, consumers, tourists and corporate groups, forming a core visitor experience offering.
• Live Distilling Events Live distilling events held at customer premises or on-site, where the Sky Wave team runs a still in front of guests for an experiential, brand-building and team-building activity.
• Virtual Gin Tasting Remote, hosted virtual gin tasting sessions for corporate teams, private groups and consumer events, extending the distillery experience beyond the Bicester location.
• Bespoke Gin Creation / Contract Distilling A contract distilling service that develops and produces custom-branded gins for corporate and institutional clients, from proof of concept (from GBP 410 + VAT for 2 hours and a 500ml bottle, plus GBP 100 + VAT per additional development hour) through to full production runs; clients include Blenheim Palace, the Bodleian Libraries and Berkley Care Group.

Quantifiable outcome

• World's Best Contemporary Gin 2020 at World Gin Awards (among ~150 competitors)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• The Rona Sailing ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partnership supporting inclusive sail training voyages. Sky Wave donates from every bottle sold to fund volunteer Skipper, Mate, Watch Officer and Watch Leader training aboard their sail training boat Lady Shuna. Based in Southampton, the project runs voyages for diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Blenheim PalaceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSky Wave creates and distils award-winning branded gins exclusively for Blenheim Palace. Also supplies Blenheim Palace Natural Mineral Water used in Sky Wave's own production.
• Master of MaltcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed retailer for Sky Wave products. Products regularly featured in Master of Malt's celebrated Christmas Advent Calendars.
• Merchant's HeartcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred tonic and mixer partner recommended for serving Sky Wave gins. Partnership includes co-marketing and recipe development using Merchant's Heart products.
• Bicester HeritagecoreOthersLocation partner hosting Sky Wave's distillery, shop, and Bar 101 at their historic WW2 RAF base in Bicester.
• The Craft Drink CominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAward-winning wholesaler and distributor of craft drinks, stocking Sky Wave products.
• Dayla DrinksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialist wholesaler and distributor of premium drinks, distributing Sky Wave products.
• Inn ExpressminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent wholesale drinks supplier and distribution specialist serving hospitality sector.
• Navas Premium Botanical MixersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMixer partner creating products using distilled botanicals, natural plant extracts and Cornish Spring Water.
• Fruits for DrinksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGarnish partner providing premium drink garnishes described as 'The World's Best Garnish'.
• The Guild of Fine FoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAs a 2-star Great Taste Awards winner, Sky Wave provides product for GFF showcase events.
• The Spirits BusinessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAs a triple Master winner at Global Gin Masters, Sky Wave is regularly showcased at Spirits Business events and in their media.
• HERO-ERAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWorld's premier classic rallying events organiser. Sky Wave supports events and provides products.
• Tesla Owners Club UKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSky Wave supports events run by the Tesla Owners Club UK.
• Jaguar Enthusiast's ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSky Wave supports 'The World's Best Jaguar Club' events.
• Berkley Care GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHighly prestigious retirement home provider for whom Sky Wave created 'Golden Hour' bespoke gin for residents.
• Bodleian Libraries, University of OxfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-famous Oxford University Libraries for whom Sky Wave created a bespoke gin.
• SpiritedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBringing premium, independent artisan suppliers directly to consumer doors, stocking Sky Wave products.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sipsmith London Dry Gin: London-based craft gin distillery founded in 2009, pioneering the London Dry gin craft movement in the UK. Sipsmith is a direct peer: same category (premium craft London Dry gin), same distribution channels (UK stockists, on-trade, DTC), and same target consumer (premium spirits enthusiasts). Comparable in craft provenance storytelling and small-batch heritage.
• Silent Pool Distillers: Surrey-based UK craft gin distillery with a distinctive experiential venue, premium positioning, and diversified revenue from tours, tastings, and spirits. Direct peer to Sky Wave: same craft authenticity narrative, similar DTC + wholesale model, and same target customer segment seeking premium small-batch spirits.
• Warner Edwards Distillery: Northamptonshire-based UK craft gin distillery producing premium small-batch gins with provenance storytelling (farm-based distillery). Direct peer to Sky Wave: similar craft positioning, similar product portfolio (multiple London Dry and flavoured gin expressions), and similar mix of DTC, wholesale, and distillery experiences.
• Chase Distillery: Herefordshire-based UK craft distillery producing premium gin, vodka, and flavoured spirits using estate-grown potatoes and botanicals. Direct peer to Sky Wave in both gin and vodka categories, with comparable craft authenticity, premium pricing, on-site distillery experiences, and UK retail/wholesale distribution.
• Edinburgh Gin: Scottish craft gin distillery producing a wide range of London Dry, flavoured, and seasonal gins, plus gin liqueurs. Direct peer to Sky Wave: same multi-SKU flavoured gin strategy, similar UK stockist and DTC distribution, and similar premium craft positioning targeting gin enthusiasts and gift buyers.
• Portobello Road Gin: London-based craft gin distillery with premium positioning, founder-led authenticity, and a small-batch production model similar to Sky Wave. Direct peer in category, customer segment, and craft provenance storytelling; comparable scale and target premium UK retail and on-trade accounts.

Peers

• Brockmans Gin:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/skywavegin
• Facebookfacebook.com/SkyWaveGin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sky-wave-gin
• Instagraminstagram.com/skywavegin_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Sky Wave Distilling Company