A warm welcome… well slightly warmer, I hope you've all had a great Easter.
Late again, but with good reason. The last 4 weeks have been chaotic, to say the least. Briefly rounded up, we've got new stockists galore, replacement (sticky) labels on the horizon, we did our first exhibition in Liverpool, orders have been stacking up with the warmer weather impending and to throw caution to the wind… it's been an easter break with the boys, my hair is definitely turning the same way as the clouds over the distillery today. Grey.
Yesterday I made the journey north from York, stopping briefly in central Glasgow to drop first orders off with two of our newest stockists, the fantastic Good Spirits Co and Robert Graham 1874. We are hoping to build a long and mutually beneficial relationship with them both as with all of our stockists around the UK. Onwards I travelled, heading even further north. In fact, the furthest north I've been since I was in my teenage years, up to the stunning Isle of Skye via the bridge.
On my arrival, I made my way to our newest stockist The Misty Bottle which is owned and run by the hard-working team at the Isle of Skye Distillers. If you are ever traveling to Skye, I would highly recommend a visit to them.
Having set off at 6am I was starting to feel a little cabin fever, so I was pleased to arrive at Armadale on Skye where I was then due to sail across to Mallaig. Having an hour to kill, I took a walk around the area to clear my head and take in some of the local views. Its moments like this it reminds me how lucky I am to be doing what we're doing. The sun dipped over the Outer Hebrides and that crisp calm spring air rolled off the sea; heaven.
After a calm crossing to Mallaig with brief sightings of porpoise and the occasional seal, I travelled south past Camusdarach Beach and Arisaig. This was my old stomping ground when I was in my youth. Spending many holidays camping at Arisaig whilst kayaking and exploring with my parents. My deep routed love for this corner of the country swells every time I catch a glimpse, sparking a memory and reminding me that the passion for Igneous Gin comes from more than just the love of gin, but also the love for where our story originates.
The short drop down onto the Ardnamurchan peninsula and I follow the road less travelled to our home at Achnaha. The journey reaches its end and the distilling begins.
As well as visiting our lovely stockists, I also mentioned we are replacing our label stock. From the word go we have had some issues due to temperature and moisture, causing labels to lift slightly on some stock. Now we know that labels stick back down and let's be honest, it's our gorgeous gin and the beautiful bottle that matter here, however, we are all about perfection so this just won't do. So we have finally found a new specialist adhesive supplier who will solve all of our problems…Hopefully.
Let's talk about Liverpool! Our first 'The Gin To My Tonic' event went down a storm, we were welcomed with open arms and the feedback and response we got from everyone who attended was fantastic. How did my Masterclass talks go I hear you all ask!? Actually really well! I was obviously nervous, but I settled into it and got lots of people attending the stand afterward saying how great it was. So I may have locked away that fear.
We are looking forward to the next event in Manchester at the end of April and many more after that, as well as a special virtual tasting we have with TGTMT in a couple of weeks, where I get to show attendees the distillery and talk all things Igneous, whilst they enjoy a double serving of our West Highland Dry Gin.
All very exciting, but for now I must get back to preparing the orders we have rolling in thanks to the turn in the weather. Not that you could tell looking out of the shutters this morning, as we await the impending Storm Kathleen. Let's hope I can get this Distillation done before she knocks the power out!
I'll look forward to updating you all again at the end of the month.
Miles and Katie x