The Maidstone Distillery

What The Maidstone Distillery does

The Maidstone Distillery is a privately held craft gin distillery and integrated visitor experience founded in 2018 in Maidstone, Kent, England, operating from 5 Market Buildings. The company produces award-winning craft gins (George Bishop London Dry Gin, Kipsi Rosé Gin, Ranscombe Wild Small Batch Gin), a toffee liqueur (Sharp's Toffee Liqueur), and a low-alcohol gin essence, all distilled using a 450-litre traditional copper pot still and handcrafted techniques. A core sustainability differentiator is its Plantlife partnership for wild botanical foraging from Ranscombe Farm Reserve, with 2.5% of Ranscombe Wild profits donated to conservation. The business is anchored by a 1785 heritage narrative tied to historical master distiller George Bishop, supporting its positioning as "The Home of English Gin."

The company monetises through a diversified revenue model spanning direct-to-consumer spirits sales via e-commerce and on-site shop, paid distillery experiences (Gin Making £110, Cocktail Masterclass £40, G'n'Tea £35, Distillery Tour £25), the integrated Bishop's Bar & Coffee House hospitality venue (capacity up to 60 for private hire), corporate gifting and hampers (£19–£140), gift vouchers (£10–£100, 12-month validity), and a B2B trade/wholesale channel including bespoke white-label spirit creation. Distribution mixes regional e-commerce, click-and-collect from the distillery, local and regional distributors, and on-site retail.

The customer base spans four primary segments: gin and spirit enthusiasts (DTC), tourists and day visitors to Kent (visitor experiences), corporate clients (gifting and private hire), and trade/hospitality businesses (wholesale and white label). The company holds multiple industry awards including The Gin Guide Contemporary Gin of the Year (2022 and 2024), an IWSC Gold Medal (2022), three Great Taste Awards for Sharp's Toffee Liqueur, and six consecutive TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards. It is privately held with no disclosed external funding, seven total employees, and no parent company or subsidiary structure.

Name

The Maidstone Distillery

Legal name

The Maidstone Distillery

Website

https://themaidstonedistillery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Maidstone Distillery is a craft gin distillery and integrated visitor experience in Kent, England, producing award-winning gins and liqueurs using traditional copper pot still distillation, and monetising through DTC spirits sales, paid distillery experiences, an on-site bar, corporate gifting, and trade wholesale.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Distillery & Premium Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Distilleries (31214), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Distilleries (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF), Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ)

Keywords

• Craft gin distillery
• Handcrafted artisan spirits
• Distillery experiences
• Gin making masterclass
• Craft liqueur production

Headquarters

HQ city

Maidstone

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Spirits Sales: Direct sales of award-winning craft gins (George Bishop London Dry Gin, Kipsi Rosé Gin, Ranscombe Wild Small Batch Gin), liqueurs (Sharp's Toffee Liqueur), and low alcohol gin essence through e-commerce and on-site shop.
2. Experiences & Tours: Revenue from paid experiences including Gin Making Experience (£110), Cocktail Masterclass (£40), G'n'Tea (£35), Distillery Tour & Tasting (£25), and grazing platters. Runs Thursday-Saturday plus by request.
3. Bar & Coffee House Operations: Bishop's Bar generates revenue from cocktails, premium spirits, wines, beers, fairtrade coffees, teas, hot chocolate, and light bites/grazing plates. Open Monday-Saturday.
4. Corporate Gifting & Hampers: Corporate hampers and gifts with tailored branding options. Ready-made and bespoke corporate packages. Ranges from £19 (miniatures) to £140 (gin making experience).
5. Gift Vouchers: Digital and physical gift vouchers for experiences, monetary value (£10-£100), valid for 12 months. Redeemable online or in-store.
6. Trade Sales & Wholesale: Spirits sold directly and through local and regional distributors. Bespoke spirit creation services for other brands including white label projects. Trade pricing and support packages for on and off trade.
7. Private Hire & Events: Private hire of Bishop's Bar and experiences for corporate events, private celebrations. Capacity up to 60 people. Deposit of 15% required, with 6-week cancellation policy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Maidstone Distillery manufactures and sells handcrafted award-winning craft gins, liqueurs and low-alcohol gin essences using a traditional 450 litre copper pot still. It operates an integrated visitor centre featuring Bishop's Bar & Coffee House and offers paid immersive experiences including gin-making masterclasses, cocktail classes, distillery tours and afternoon tea. The business serves both direct-to-consumer customers through e-commerce and on-site retail, and trade/hospitality clients through wholesale distribution, white-label spirit creation and corporate gifting services.

Product overview

The Maidstone Distillery is a craft gin distillery and visitor experience in Kent, England, claiming to be the 'Home of English Gin' since 1785. The company operates as a unified distillery and visitor center offering both physical products and experiential services. The core product portfolio includes craft gins (George Bishop London Dry Gin, Kipsi Rose Gin, Ranscombe Wild Small Batch Gin), a toffee liqueur (Sharp's Toffee Liqueur), and a low-alcohol gin essence. These spirits are complemented by experiential offerings including the Gin Making Experience, Cocktail Masterclass, G'n'Tea Experience, and Distillery Tour & Tasting, all centered around Bishop's Bar & Coffee House. Supporting products include gift vouchers, vintage glassware collection, copper bar tools, corporate hampers, grazing platters, and distillery membership. Trade services include spirit stocking, bespoke spirit creation, and white label projects for other brands. The business operates Monday through Saturday, with the distillery, bar, shop, and experiences all integrated within the Market Buildings location in Maidstone.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• George Bishop Gin: Signature London Dry gin inspired by founder George Bishop's 1785 legacy.
• Kipsi Rose Gin
• Ranscombe Wild Small Batch Gin
• Sharp's Toffee Liqueur
• George Bishop Low Alcohol Gin Essence

Products and services

• Craft Gins range
• George Bishop London Dry Gin Flagship London Dry gin inspired by master distiller George Bishop from 1785, featuring a juniper-forward traditional botanical profile. Available in 5cl, 20cl and 70cl formats.
• Ranscombe Wild Small Batch Gin Small batch gin crafted with wild botanicals foraged from Ranscombe Farm Reserve in Kent including tangerine, orange blossom, jasmine, pine and lavender. 2.5% of profits support Plantlife wild plant conservation. Winner of Gin Guide Contemporary Gin of the Year 2024 and 2022.
• Kipsi Rosé (Pink) Gin Barrel-aged pink gin distilled with fruity botanicals and steeped with English soft fruits including Kentish Morellos, Dark Cherries, Strawberries and Raspberries, then aged in ex-Bourbon oak casks for vanilla and spice notes. Winner at the International Wine & Spirits Competition.
• Sharp's Toffee Liqueur Toffee liqueur inspired by confectioner Edward Sharp and his 'Kreemy Works' factory. Distilled with orange, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon blended with a secret toffee recipe. Vegan friendly, gluten-free. Winner of Three Great Taste Awards.
• George Bishop Low Alcohol Gin Essence Low alcohol gin essence with less than 1.2% ABV and 45 calories per serve, with over ten times the botanical concentration of traditional gin. Each 100ml bottle produces twenty full-flavoured gin and tonics. Gold Medal Winner at IWSC 2022.
• Gin Making Experience 2.5-hour immersive hands-on experience where guests craft their own bespoke gin using personal mini copper pot stills and over 60 exotic botanicals. Includes welcome drink and a 70cl personalised gin bottle with bespoke label. Available Thursday-Saturday and by request. Rated 5 stars on TripAdvisor and Google.
• G'n'Tea Experience Afternoon tea experience pairing gin and mixer with fairtrade coffee, artisan tea or hot chocolate, alongside finger sandwiches, olives, cheese bites and cakes. Served in the working distillery. Minimum two persons, bookable Tuesday-Saturday.
• Cocktail Masterclass Two-hour cocktail making session led by expert mixologists. Guests craft three premium cocktails using award-winning spirits, learning shake, muddle and stir techniques. Set in the active distillery, rated 5 stars.
• Distillery Tour & Tasting Guided tour of the historic Market Buildings distillery with tastings of the spirits range, covering the 240-year distilling heritage and George Bishop's legacy. Available from £25 per person.
• Bishop's Bar & Coffee House On-site bar and coffee house at 5 Market Buildings serving award-winning spirits, cocktails, local beers, wines, fairtrade coffees, artisan teas and indulgent hot chocolate, plus nibbles, grazing plates and light bites. Open Monday-Saturday with table service and a covered outdoor area.
• Gift Vouchers Digital and physical gift vouchers redeemable against experiences, spirits and merchandise. Monetary vouchers range from £10 to £100 and are valid for 12 months from purchase.
• Vintage Glassware Collection Range of vintage-style glassware — Coupe Glasses, Gin Goblets, Highball Glasses, Martini Glasses and Shot Glasses — inspired by Bishop's Bar design. Dishwasher safe with eco-friendly recyclable packaging.
• Maidstone Distillery Engraved Copper Jigger Copper-plated stainless steel jigger with 25ml single and 50ml double measures, engraved with the Maidstone Distillery logo. A gift item for cocktail enthusiasts.
• Corporate Hampers & Gifts Tailored corporate gifting service offering ready-made and bespoke hampers with optional personalised branding, including spirits, glassware and presentation boxes in recyclable packaging. Ranges from £19 miniatures to £140 gin-making experiences.
• Private Hire & Events Venue hire for corporate events, private parties and bespoke experiences at Bishop's Bar, accommodating groups of up to 60 people. Offers canapés, bespoke cocktails and tailored packages with a 15% deposit and 6-week cancellation policy.
• Trade Spirits & White Label Trade sales service for on-trade and off-trade stocking of craft spirits, plus bespoke spirit creation and white-label gin projects for other brands. Tailored trade support packages with specialist gin expertise.
• Pride In Our Spirit Distillery Membership Annual membership programme for distillery enthusiasts priced at £20 per year, providing exclusive benefits and discounts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Recognised among the world's top 10% of visitor attractions
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PlantlifecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Conservation charity partnership for wild botanical sourcing. Plantlife helped develop the Ranscombe Wild Small Batch Gin recipe, identifying six wild botanicals from Ranscombe Farm Reserve in Kent. The company donates 2.5% of Ranscombe Wild profits to support wild plant conservation. Annual foraging events held with community participation.
• Visit EnglandminorOthersQuality Assured Visitor Attraction status. Tourism partnership providing credibility and visitor trust.
• Visit KentminorOthersRegional tourism partnership promoting Maidstone Distillery as a visitor destination in Kent.
• The Gin GuideminorOthersIndustry recognition and awards. Ranscombe Wild won Gin of the Year 2024 & 2022. The Gin Guide provides industry credibility and consumer awareness.
• Ranscombe Farm Reserve (Plantlife)coreOthersFlagship nature reserve at Cuxton, Kent. Home to rare wild plants, some only found at this location in Britain. Tenant farmer uses regenerative agriculture. Source of foraged botanicals for Ranscombe Wild Gin.
• TripAdvisorminorOthersReview platform partner. Six consecutive years as Travellers Choice Award winners. #1 Thing to Do in Maidstone status drives significant visitor traffic.
• Castle Farm (Kent)minorOthersLocal Kent lavender farm. Supplies lavender for Ranscombe Wild gin and potentially other botanical sourcing.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bombay Sapphire Distillery: Global premium gin brand with a flagship distillery and visitor centre at Laverstoke Mill, Hampshire. Comparable as a craft-distillery-experience model at scale, but operates as a broad incumbent in the same experiential-distillery category.
• Hendrick's (William Grant & Sons): Premium gin brand with a distinctive botanical profile and unusual distillation approach, part of a broader spirits portfolio. Comparable in craft-positioning and award pedigree but operates at much larger scale as a global incumbent.

Direct peers

• Chapel Down: English drinks producer in Kent offering wines, gins, and visitor experiences including tours and tastings. Comparable as a Kent-based premium drinks brand with experiential hospitality and retail gifting.
• East London Liquor Company: London-based craft distillery producing gin and other spirits with a bar, tasting room, and distillery tours. Directly comparable in combining small-batch gin production, on-site bar, and visitor experiences.
• Warner Edwards Distillery: English craft gin distillery (Northamptonshire) with copper-still production, gin-making experiences, and a visitor centre. Closely comparable in size, heritage-led positioning, and experiential offering.
• Anno Distillers: English craft spirits producer (Norfolk) making gin and other spirits with botanical sourcing and a visitor/education focus. Comparable as a small-scale craft distillery combining gin production with on-site experiences.
• Sipsmith: London-based craft gin distillery with a heritage narrative and on-site bar/tasting experience. Directly comparable as a craft gin producer combining spirits sales, distillery tours, and cocktail experiences in a UK visitor-friendly setting.
• Jensen's Distillery: London micro-distillery producing small-batch gin with a tasting room and bespoke/distillation experiences. Comparable as a small-team craft gin distillery with on-site consumer engagement and limited production capacity.
• Portobello Road Distillery: London craft gin distillery with tasting room, masterclasses, and trade/wholesale spirits. Directly comparable in product range (London Dry, flavoured gins), heritage positioning, and experiential model.
• The Botanist (Isle of Harris Distillery): Scottish island distillery producing The Botanist gin with a strong visitor experience, tours, and locally foraged botanicals narrative. Highly comparable as a heritage/place-driven craft gin distillery with experiential hospitality.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/themaidstonedistillery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-maidstone-distillery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Maidstone Distillery