MP Matt Western has been raising a toast to the growth of a Leamington gin distillery.
The Warwickshire Gin Company, which is based on Neilston Street, is forecasting to welcome more than 4,000 customers through its doors in 2024 – doubling its numbers compared to last year.
The company’s founder, Dave Blick, hosted the Warwick and Leamington MP at the firm’s distillery to mark English Tourism Week, which was arranged by south Warwickshire’s tourism board Shakespeare’s England.
The visit comes at a time when the events side of Warwickshire Gin Company is going from strength-to-strength, with nearly 1,000 customers having passed through the doors already since the New Year.
The firm’s Gin Tasting Experience – which is the most popular event since the business formed five and-a-half years ago – sees guests learning about historical events that inspired different gins – from Leamington on Parade which celebrates the elephants that were brought to the town in the 1800s, through to the Kingmaker in honour of the 16th Earl of Warwick, Richard Neville, who was instrumental in the deposition of two kings.
Two more experiences have recently been added to the event line-up – an Afternoon Gin & Tea, and Cocktails at the Distillery – all of which are being held in the business’ town centre distillery in Leamington.
Dave said: “We have gone from welcoming 900 customers in 2021 to just over 2,000 customers in 2023, and we are looking at another record year for 2024.
“Selling a product isn’t enough anymore, people want experiences – which we’ve been able to deliver on by providing couples, families and friends with an interactive experience in a unique distillery setting.”
“Our gin, rum and vodka all have a story to tell – whether it’s Coventry’s Lady Godiva, Leamingtonian Randolph Turpin’s great boxing success, or the birth of the first Lawn Tennis Club in Leamington – and people always come away feeling enlightened.”
