Finance Durham Investee Starts Production For The North East's First Ever Single Malt Whisky

Durham Distillery to make history as local pioneer of craft spirits, founding the region's first Whisky.

2018 has already been a huge year for Durham as the city’s high-profile leisure developments open for business and more than £3 billion of investment is underway across the County, including the transformation of the waterside in Durham City.

The latest tenant at the £30m leisure quarter, in the heart of Durham, is Finance Durham investee, Durham Distillery. The company’s new site will house an enlarged production and storage facility, and visitor centre where people can learn about the science of the distilling process and craft behind their making. As part of plans to become a tourist destination, the visitor centre will host a range of informative and interactive tours, showcasing the distillery’s finest drinks by the glass or bottle through public and private events; all with the impressive backdrop of its working distillery.

The business secured the Finance Durham Fund’s first investment in September 2017. Twelve months on, Durham Distillery is celebrating an outstanding year, with the investment fuelling the company’s exciting expansion plans, set to create up to 20 jobs over the course of the project.

Founded in 2014 by former NHS chief Jon Chadwick, the small-batch craft distillery makes spirits with a 400-litre copper pot still. Durham Distillery is now one of the region’s leading craft distillers producing gin, vodka and gin-based liqueurs sold under the Durham Gin and Durham Vodka brands. Cemented within the roots of Durham, the company’s brand incorporates elements of the city, the logo was inspired by Durham Cathedral’s Medieval Rose Window and colour palette complements the ecclesiastical purple from the Bishop’s vestments.

Durham Whisky, the North East’s first ever Whisky, is produced by Head Distiller, Jessica Tomlinson. The first bottles will be available for consumption in 2021, and customers can now pre-order their bottles from the first batch. Using local spring water and malt, Durham Distillery will create a true grain to glass whisky from mashing and fermenting through to a double distillation on two custom built copper pot stills, a 1200L wash still and a 1000L spirit still. Those keen to be part of the company’s latest plans can sign up to reserve a Founder’s Cask from the first whisky run, as well as cases or bottles.

Jon Chadwick, Founder of Durham Distillery, said, “We can’t wait to move into our new Distillery and start making the North East’s first Whisky. We are looking forward to welcoming people from Durham and further afield to come to experience our award-winning craft spirits!”

Head Distiller, Jess Tomlinson, added, “Heading up the production of Durham Whisky is very exciting, as well as it being a first for this part of England, it’s also a shake up for the industry as there are very few female distillers, especially producing whisky.”

Michael Vassallo, Investment Director of Maven, “We are delighted to see Durham Distillery go from strength to strength following investment from Finance Durham. Jon is a real entrepreneur with a very talented team behind him. The investment is a great example of a local company utilising the support from Durham County Council’s innovative fund to grow their business. We look forward to helping Durham Distillery in its quest to become the region’s distiller of choice.”

The Finance Durham Fund, managed by Maven Capital Partners, was established by Durham County Council and is overseen by economic development organisation, Business Durham. If your business is based in County Durham, or you are relocating to the County, it may be eligible for investment. If you feel you could benefit from funding to help achieve your growth ambitions, then please contact Maven’s local team.