What Tarquin's Cornish Gin does

Tarquin's Cornish Gin is the consumer brand of Southwestern Distillery Ltd, a family-run UK craft distillery founded in 2012 by self-taught Master Distiller Tarquin Leadbetter on the Wild Cornish Coast in Wadebridge. The company produces an award-winning portfolio of 56+ SKUs spanning flagship and fruit-infused gins, limited editions, a non-alcoholic spirit, ready-to-drink canned G&Ts, and sub-branded vodka (Connie Glaze), rum (Twin Fin), and whisky (Tinner Bros). Production rests on flame-fired copper pot stills (four 250-litre units named Tamara, Senara, Ferrara and Tressa, plus a 500-litre Ferrara), 12 hand-selected and locally foraged botanicals, overnight maceration, careful heads/tails cuts, and hand-filled, hand-waxed, hand-stamped bottling, with distillation cut by Cornish spring water. The distillery operates on 100% renewable wind power with zero-waste-to-landfill and plastic-free packaging.

Revenue mechanics blend direct-to-consumer e-commerce (UK mainland delivery via tarquinsgin.com), seven Gin Shops & Tasting Rooms across Cornwall (Padstow, St Ives, Fowey, Bude, Falmouth, Salcombe, plus the Distillery Cellar Door), and on-site experiential tourism including Distillery Tours at £18 per person and Gin Schools at £85-135 per copper still. Core 70cl gin bottles cluster between £39 and £58, with a 0% ABV variant at £25 and a 12-can RTD case at £36. A bottle refill program offering 15% discount at six retail locations, plus limited-edition collaborations with the Eden Project, Whistlefish, and Holborn Dining Room, layer additional assortment breadth and partnership-driven marketing. The company is privately held, independent, and family-run, and raised its first disclosed external capital of approximately £1.19M in April 2026. The customer base is highly fragmented across premium gin enthusiasts, Cornwall tourists, gift buyers, and the sober-curious segment, with notable tourism scale (100,000+ visitors annually) and repeat international competition recognition including 'World's Best Gin 2017' at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best awards in 2022 and 2024.

Name

Tarquin's Cornish Gin

Legal name

Southwestern Distillery Ltd

Website

https://tarquinsgin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tarquin's Cornish Gin is a UK craft distillery founded in 2012 that hand-produces award-winning gin, vodka, rum, whisky, liqueurs, non-alcoholic spirits and canned RTDs, sold direct-to-consumer via its website, seven Cornish retail stores, and on-site distillery tours and Gin Schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Distilled Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (31214), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (4453)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Craft gin distillery
• Artisanal copper still spirits
• Distillery visitor experiences
• Ready-to-drink gin cocktails
• Non-alcoholic spirit alternatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Wadebridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Gin Product Sales: Direct bottle sales of award-winning gins ranging from £25-58 per 70cl bottle, including flagship Cornish Dry Gin, fruit-flavored gins, limited editions, and ready-to-drink canned gin and tonics (12x250ml cans at £36). Revenue from 56+ products across gins, liqueurs, rum, vodka, and whisky.
2. Distillery Tours: Ticketed behind-the-scenes tours of the distillery at £18 per person, including welcome gin & tonic, botanical masterclass, walking tour, and tutored tasting of 4 core gins.
3. Gin Schools Experiences: Hands-on distilling masterclasses where participants create their own 70cl bottle of gin. Priced at £85 per person (copper still for one) or £135 for two sharing a still.
4. Tasting Hour: Limited-edition summer tasting experience at £20 per ticket, featuring welcome G&T, brand story, and tasting flight of four summer serves.
5. Merchandise and Gifting: Sales of branded merchandise including jute bags (£7), bar blades (£8), gin glasses (£20), fabric bar runners (£10), cool bags (£10), and gift messages (£3.25).
6. Refill Program: Bottle refill service offering 15% discount on refills, promoting sustainability and customer loyalty. Available at 6 retail locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tarquin's Cornish Gin produces and sells a portfolio of handcrafted craft spirits — led by flagship gin (Cornish Dry, 42% ABV) and Navy Strength SeaDog (57% ABV, 'World's Best Gin 2017') — alongside fruit-infused gins, limited editions, ready-to-drink canned G&Ts, non-alcoholic spirit, vodka, rum, and whisky lines. Every bottle is hand-filled, wax-dipped, and stamped using traditional copper pot still distillation. The company also sells branded merchandise and gifting items, and runs ticketed distillery tours, Gin Schools, Tasting Hour experiences, and a bottle refill program across seven Cornwall locations.

Product overview

Tarquin's Cornish Gin is a portfolio of award-winning craft spirits produced by Southwestern Distillery in Cornwall. The core offering consists of handcrafted gins including the flagship Cornish Dry Gin (42% ABV) and the Navy Strength SeaDog (57% ABV, 'World's Best Gin 2017'), alongside numerous fruit-infused variants such as Rhubarb & Raspberry, Strawberry & Lime, and British Blackberry. The portfolio extends to limited editions (Chilli Mango, Mexican Zest & Salt, Cornish Wild Sea Berry, Holborn Dining Room collaborations), a non-alcoholic spirit, ready-to-drink canned G&Ts (7% ABV), and a peach ice tea liqueur (20% ABV). Sister brands include Connie Glaze vodka range and Tinner Bros whisky range. Experiences include distillery tours (£18), Gin Schools in Padstow and St Ives (£85-135), and Gin Shops & Tasting Rooms across Cornwall. A bottle refill program offers 15% discount for sustainability. The company emphasizes handcrafted production using copper pot stills, local Cornish botanicals, and environmentally conscious practices including wind power and plastic-free packaging.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tarquin's Handcrafted Cornish Dry Gin Flagship gin — a contemporary London dry style distilled with 12 botanicals sourced globally and foraged on the Cornish coast. 42% ABV, 70cl bottle. For individual consumers and gifting.
• Tarquin's The SeaDog Navy Strength Gin High-strength navy gin at 57% ABV, winner of 'World's Best Gin 2017' at San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Bold and aromatic with Cornish personality. 70cl bottle. For craft gin enthusiasts.
• Tarquin's Rhubarb & Raspberry Gin Flagship fruit-infused gin made with fresh rhubarb and raspberries post-distillation. 38% ABV, 70cl. For gin drinkers and gifting.
• Tarquin's Lemon & Orange Gin Limited edition gin inspired by Italian citrus groves, infused with lemons and fresh orange peel. 38% ABV, 70cl. For citrus and gin enthusiasts.
• Tarquin's Strawberry & Lime Gin Fruit-led gin with sweet strawberries and lime zest. 38% ABV, 70cl. For fruit-gin drinkers and gifting.
• Tarquin's Cornish Dry Non-Alcoholic Spirit Non-alcoholic reimagining of the flagship Cornish Dry Gin, distilled with coastal botanicals and juniper. 0% ABV, 70cl, £25. For moderate/non-drinkers seeking premium non-alcoholic serves.
• Tarquin's British Blackberry Gin Gin infused with British blackberries and Cornish wildflower honey post-distillation. 38% ABV, 70cl. For fruit-gin drinkers.
• Tarquin's Cornish Apple & Elderflower Gin Limited edition gin infused with Cornish apples and elderflower blossom. 38% ABV. For seasonal botanical gin drinkers.
• Tarquin's x Whistlefish Cornish Dry Gin Limited edition collaboration celebrating Whistlefish's 30th anniversary. Signature dry gin in commemorative Whistlefish artwork. 42% ABV. For collectors and gift buyers.
• Tarquin's Mexican Zest & Salt Gin Cornish tribute to the margarita, infused with lime, sweet agave, citrus and Cornish sea salt. 38% ABV, 70cl. For savoury profile / margarita-style gin drinkers.
• Tarquin's Chilli Mango Gin Summer limited edition infused with sun-ripened mango, fresh lime juice and Jamaican yellow chillies supplied by Cornish Chillies. 38% ABV, 70cl. For spicy-sweet gin enthusiasts.
• Tarquin's Cornish Wild Sea Berry Gin Limited edition inspired by sundowners, infused with zesty oranges and tangy sea berries from the Cornish coastline. 38% ABV, 70cl. For seasonal/sundowner serve gin drinkers.
• Tarquin's Raspberry & Mango Gin Limited edition tropical-style gin infused with juicy mangoes and raspberries. 38% ABV, 70cl. For tropical fruit gin enthusiasts.
• Tarquin's Holborn Dining Room III Gin Third limited edition collaboration with Holborn Dining Room (London), crafted with fresh orange peel, warming cinnamon and a hint of ginger. Limited to 200 bottles. For collectors.
• Tarquin's Peach Ice Tea Liqueur Gin-based liqueur cold-brewed with Tregothnan tea from Cornwall's River Fal. 20% ABV, 50cl. For liqueur and cocktail drinkers.
• Tarquin's Cornish Dry Gin and Tonic (Canned RTD) Pre-mixed gin and tonic in cans for on-the-go and outdoor consumption. 7% ABV, 12 x 250ml. For convenience RTD drinkers.
• Tarquin's Rhubarb & Raspberry Gin and Tonic (Canned RTD) Pre-mixed pink rhubarb and raspberry gin and tonic in cans. 7% ABV, 12 x 250ml. For fruity RTD drinkers.
• Connie Glaze Vodka Range (Sub-Brand) Wholly-owned vodka sub-brand: slow sand filtered vodka plus flavoured liqueurs (Passion Fruit, Elderflower, Pink Grapefruit, Lemon Sherbet, Toffee), 20–40% ABV. For consumers shopping the wider Tarquin's spirit family.
• Tinner Bros Whisky Range (Sub-Brand) Wholly-owned Cornish whisky sub-brand: Miner's Reserve at 40% ABV, plus whisky liqueurs (Black Spiced, Blood Orange, Toffee Nut, Wild Cherry). For whisky drinkers and gift buyers.
• Gin Distillery Tours Behind-the-scenes distillery tours at Higher Trevban Farm, Wadebridge: welcome gin & tonic, botanical masterclass, walking tour, and tutored tasting of four core gins. £18 per person, 90 minutes. For tourists and gin enthusiasts.
• Tarquin's Gin Schools Hands-on distilling experiences at Padstow and St Ives where participants craft their own 70cl bottle of gin using copper pot stills. £85 per copper still for one person, or £135 for two sharing. Includes G&Ts, tasters, £5 shop discount and the custom bottle. For experience-seeking gin enthusiasts and tourists.
• Tarquin's Tasting Hour Limited summer tasting experience at the St Ives Gin Shop: welcome G&T, brand story and tasting flight of four summer serves. £20 per ticket. For summer visitors and gin tourists.
• Gin Shops & Tasting Rooms (Retail) Walk-in retail shops in Padstow, St Ives, Fowey, Bude, Falmouth, Salcombe and the Distillery Cellar Door offering tastings, bottle sales and refill stations, with Gin Schools hosted at Padstow and St Ives. For visiting consumers, gift buyers and gin tourists.
• Branded Gin Merchandise & Miniatures Gift Set Branded merchandise including Blue Jute Bag (£7), Bar Blade (£8), Gin Glasses (£20), 4x5cl Miniatures Gift Set (£25, containing Cornish Dry, Blood Orange, Rhubarb & Raspberry, British Blackberry), Fabric Bar Runner (£10), Beach Ready Cool Bag (£10), with personalised gift messages available (£3.25). For gift purchasers and brand fans.
• Bottle Refill Program Refill service at 6 retail locations: customers can bring back empty 70cl Tarquin's bottles for refilling with Cornish Dry Gin at a 15% discount. For sustainability-minded repeat customers.
• Tarquin's Olive Leaf & Lemon Eden Project Gin Limited edition collaboration with The Eden Project celebrating its 25th anniversary, inspired by the ancient olive trees in the Mediterranean biome. 38% ABV, 70cl, £39.95. For collectors, gift buyers and Eden Project visitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• International recognition through 50+ gold medals across major spirit competitions since 2012
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cornish ChilliescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier partnership for Chilli Mango Gin limited edition. Cornish Chillies (Scott and Sue Hall) supply Jamaican Yellow Chillies grown in Cornwall for the seasonal gin product. Partnership celebrates local Cornish craft and produce.
• The Eden ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration celebrating Eden Project's 25th anniversary. Created Tarquin's Olive Leaf & Lemon Eden Project Gin, inspired by the ancient olive trees in the Mediterranean biome. Both organizations share passion for doing things differently and proving what's possible when dreaming big.
• Holborn Dining RoomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird limited edition collaboration with London's largest Gin Bar (300+ varieties). Tarquin's Holborn Dining Room III Gin crafted with fresh orange peel, warming cinnamon, and hint of ginger. Limited to 200 bottles.
• WhistlefishminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLimited edition collaboration celebrating Whistlefish's 30th anniversary. Artwork collaboration featuring Cornish illustration on commemorative gin bottle and merchandise. Two Cornish originals - Cornwall's beloved illustrators and Cornwall's original craft gin distillery.
• Beach Guardian CICminorOthersEnvironmental charity partnership. 1% of Connie Glaze Vodka sales donated to Beach Guardian to support their work cleaning Constantine Bay and the Cornish coast.
• Surfers Against SewageminorOthersEnvironmental charity partnership. Donations support marine conservation and beach cleaning initiatives in Cornwall.
• The Wildlife TrustminorOthersEnvironmental charity partnership. Donations support wildlife conservation efforts.
• Tregothnan EstateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTea supplier for Peach Ice Tea Liqueur. Tregothnan tea grown along River Fal in one of the UK's only subtropical microclimates.
• Cornish Sea Salt Co.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier of Cornish sea salt crystals used in Mexican Zest & Salt Gin and Connie Glaze Pink Grapefruit Vodka Liqueur. Supports local Cornish producers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Warner Edwards: Northamptonshire-based family-run craft gin distillery with farm-distillery tours, multiple fruit-led gins and a direct-to-consumer model. Closely comparable on family-owned, small-batch craft positioning, on-site experiences and DTC focus.
• Edinburgh Gin: Scottish craft gin producer operating a distillery, tasting room and gift shop in Edinburgh with a multi-SKU portfolio including fruit variants and liqueurs. Comparable on city/region-anchored brand, tourism retail, product breadth and gift-led positioning.
• Portobello Road Gin: London craft gin built around a heritage recipe, sold through on-trade and DTC. Comparable on craft positioning, recipe-led storytelling and small-batch production at the premium end of UK gin.
• Chase Distillery: Herefordshire-based farm distillery producing gin, vodka and other spirits with estate-grown botanicals and on-site tours. Comparable on farm-to-bottle craft story, multi-spirit portfolio (including gin and vodka), and experiential tourism revenue.
• Sipsmith: London-based craft gin distillery founded in 2009, widely credited with restarting the UK craft gin movement. Direct comparable on craft positioning, copper-pot-still production, premium pricing, DTC e-commerce and on-trade presence.
• The Botanist: Isle of Islay-based premium craft gin with strong regional/heritage storytelling and tourism-led distillery experiences. Comparable on craft provenance narrative, experiential distillery tourism, and premium price positioning in on-trade and DTC.

Emerging players

• Seedlip: Pioneer brand in the non-alcoholic 'spirit' category. Direct comparable for Tarquin's Cornish Dry Non-Alcoholic Spirit in terms of category, distribution channels and the premium no/low consumer segment the company is targeting.
• Anno Distillers: Norfolk-based craft gin and whisky distillery with a small-batch, recipe-driven approach and DTC sales. Comparable as an emerging UK craft distillery building brand through awards and limited editions, similar stage and scale.

Broad incumbents

• Hendrick's: William Grant & Sons-owned premium gin with strong quirky brand storytelling and unusual botanical profile. Comparable on premium craft-adjacent positioning, distinctive bottle design and high on-trade presence.
• Tanqueray: Diageo-owned global mainstream gin brand. Provides a benchmark for the scale, distribution and marketing budgets Tarquin's would compete against for on-trade listings and shelf space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tarquinsgin
• Facebookfacebook.com/654593871665999
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southwestern-distillery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

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 Tarquin's Cornish Gin