IT’S LOCKDOWN, NOT PROHIBITION

Birch Gin was started by Justin Birch 1975-1986 during lockdown last year, after his other business (a recruitment company) ground to a halt overnight. After building a vegetable plot for his wife, he still had plenty of time on his hands and, with 10 years’ experience making gin as a hobby, he decided to take a gamble and fulfil his dream.

Birch Gin is a handsome micro-batch gin suitable for all palates and is made using the one-shot distillation method (only 2-3% of UK gins are made like this). It’s called Birch Gin as it has birch syrup as an ingredient (a botanical that provides a slightly sweet yet smoky aftertaste) and because Justin says he hasn’t got much imagination when it comes to names!

After spending several months applying for the relevant licences, sourcing suppliers, designing labels and so on, Justin launched the gin in August 2020.

His first target customers were his former KES classmates, who were incredibly encouraging.

Having got together for a reunion in 2018 when most of the year turned 50, they have all stayed in touch via a WhatsApp group. It was their support and positive comments that gave Justin the confidence to properly go to market – a difficult thing to do in lockdown with the hospitality industry on its knees.

To date, Birch Gin has sold close to 3,000 bottles and is now stocked by over 70 high-end grocers, wine merchants, restaurants and bars in the UK. Online wine merchants such as Virgin Wines, along with new customers, are also signing up every week.

Produced by Justin’s company, Thos Birch Libations Company Ltd based in Wadhurst, East Sussex, Birch Gin has just won its fourth international award since its launch last August. A Silver Medal (with 88 points – just two away from Gold) in the London Spirits Competition was an excellent addition to Gold in the Women’s Wine and Spirits Awards 2021, a Silver in the Gin Masters 2021 and a Bronze Medal in the World Gin Awards.

Birch Gin has just won its fourth international award since its launch last August.

In May 2021, Justin opened a small distillery at The Hub in Bodiam, just across the field from the famous Bodiam Castle. If OEs are in the area, he says they are very welcome to pop by and have a chat, see his two moonshine pot stills (Stockholm and Sydney) in action, enjoy a sample and have a bite to eat at The Hub.

Justin’s latest addition is Birch Gin Navy Strength. This is also gaining huge praise from customers and will be entered for competitions over the coming year. He is planning more new Birch products including a new gin, a vodka, a rum and a sour mash whiskey.

If you’d like to know more about Birch Gin, you can contact Justin at jb@birchgin.com or call on 07947 684684 To read more, visit www.birchgin.com

OEs can use the discount code KES10 should they wish to try Birch Gin.