Henstone Distillery

Historie

Henstone Distillery was established in Oswestry, Shropshire, UK in 2017 by Chris and Alexandra Toller. In 2023 the company underwent a restructuring in which Mike Harris bought 50% of the business and moved it to a farm on Long Mountain. The distillery was later relocated to Dingle Farm, Trewern, Shropshire (SY21 8EG). The name Henstone comes from the family homes of the co-founders: Chris and Alex live in the former pub "The Hen and Chickens", while the former partners live in "Stone House". Henstone has an active production and development scene with several family connections and a dedicated team around production, sales, and ambassadors.

Henstone also has a strong European background through their 1,000-litre distillation apparatus, called Hilda, which was produced by Kothe in Germany and delivered via Ryebeck Limited. The still's arrival was made possible with support from RDPE. The distillery has increased its production and approach to quality beverages through small crew sizes and ongoing expansions, reflecting their aim of high quality and small batches.

Facts and awards have supported that Henstone has achieved wide recognition: Distillery of the Year 2023 and Distillery of the Year 2020 in the Gin Guide Awards. The brand and branding were created with help from Pocket Rocket Creative, and they have a clear focus on preserving a classic approach to spirits with modern craft.

Team and staff have been gradually expanded since inception: Flo became a distiller in October 2022, Henry to sales, Matt Dugdale as Brand Ambassador since September 2023 and Dave Muir joined the production team in April 2024 after the move to Dingle Farm. Pamela Hunt has contributed since September 2023 with bottling and production support. These people illustrate Henstone's family- and growth-oriented culture.

Produktion og filosofi

Henstone focuses on producing quality products for people who love sophisticated, classic spirits with a small-batch twist. The distillery has prioritized an approach around craft, small batches, and strong branding that reflects a clear regional identity and commitment to quality ingredients.

Produktion

Henstone runs production on a 1,000-litre distillation unit called Hilda, which was produced by Kothe in Germany and delivered via Ryebeck Limited. The still's installation was supported by RDPE, and thus the focus is on using modern technology to achieve high quality in small quantities.

The distillery began its gin production in February 2018 and has built up a range of classic gins with a clear mark of their craft approach: London Dry Gin, Navy Gin, Rosé Gin, Sloe Gin, Strawberry and Pink Peppercorn Gin and Orange and Ginger Gin. In addition there is The Next Step Gin and a number of special editions and bundles, which show the flexibility and the craft approach.

Involved staff work daily with distillation and bottling, and the team is continuously expanded to ensure continuity in production and quality of both gin and whisky. The distillery is located at Dingle Farm and runs an online shop in addition to the on-site shop, supporting direct sales to customers.

Produkter / Whisky-serien

Henstone produces several whisky-based products focusing on English whisky and corn whiskies as well as special finish variants. Current releases include:

• Old Dog Corn Whisky

• Henstone Single Malt English Whisky Ex-Pedro Ximenez Cask Finished

• Henstone Whisky Ex-Peated Release 2

• Single Malt English Whisky 5 Year Old Age Statement

• Single Malt English Whisky Cask Strength

• Single Malt English Whisky Ex-Bourbon Cask Aged

• Single Malt English Whisky Red Range

• Single Malt English Whisky Red Wine Casked Matured

These products demonstrate Henstone's approach to English whisky and a range of finishes and ages as part of their portfolio. Product pages suggest a combination of traditional British methods and modern finishes, which suits their small-batch approach.

Besøg / Oplevelser

There is a small on-site shop at Henstone Distillery, and there are specific opening hours to check before a visit: Monday–Thursday 09:00–16:30, Friday 09:00–14:30, Saturday and Sunday closed. Company information and live contact include:

• Address: Henstone Distillery Ltd, Dingle Farm, Trewern, Welshpool, SY21 8EG, United Kingdom

• What3Words: centrally.respected.mammal

• Open to visiting and purchasing directly through the on-site shop or online shop

Henstone encourages visitors to contact them via their online shop or visit the website for updated information on events and products. Their approach emphasizes a welcoming and open culture for spirit enthusiasts.

Filosofi

Henstone Distillery focuses on creating high-quality and sophisticated products with a classic vibe and a small-batch approach. The name Henstone comes from the interplay between "Hen" and "Stone" in the family behind the founders. Branding and identity were developed in collaboration with Pocket Rocket Creative to reflect their belief in craft and quality. The distillery has achieved significant prizes and recognition over the years, underscoring their strategy of blending tradition with innovation and being an engaged player in the English whiskey distillery scene.