Whitby Distillery
A Brief History
At the heart of Whitby Distillery stand Jess and Luke, our Founders and their loyal companion, Winnie. Inspired by the craft spirit-makers of Scotland during 2016, they traded their office routines for the freedom of foraging. With backgrounds in Food Manufacturing and Business Planning and determination fuelled their learning curve.
Our goal
Crafting spirits that captures the essence of their home's natural beauty. Foraging heather from the North York Moors, along with sugar kelp and local honey, they crafted their signature botanical blend, honouring Yorkshire's coastline. Their first batch of Whitby Gin was born in a modest 40 sq ft utility room at Luke's parents' house and went on to win Best British London Dry at the World Gin Awards.
Six years later, Whitby Distillery crafts top-notch Gin and Rum in Whitby, using bespoke Yorkshire Glass bottles. With a dedicated local team we ensure quality with a personal touch at every step. Partnering with 1% for the Planet, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and the RNLI, Whitby Distillery gives back while prioritising its community and surroundings.
Hidden Gems and Interesting Facts
Meet Dora-Grace, Our Copper Still:
Our 300L copper still, Dora-Grace, is more than just a distillation apparatus; it's a tribute to Dora Walker, a remarkable figure from Whitby's history. Dora was the North Sea's sole female skipper during World War II, and her spirit of resilience and adventure inspires our craft.
Our Whitby RNLI Dark Spiced Rum was crafted with love to honour the dedication and courage of the RNLI volunteers who have been saving lives around the U.K.'s seas and coastline since 1824. 10% of every bottle sale is donated to the RNLI.
Each detail of our Yorkshire made bottle tells a story. The textured glass mirrors the undulating waves of the wild sea, rising gracefully like the cliffs of Whitby. The dark wood cork pays homage to the ship-building heritage, a nod to the town’s maritime legacy. The distinctive shape mirrors the buoys adorning fishing boats in Whitby harbor, creating a visual link to the seafaring traditions that shape our identity.
What We Offer Our Visitors
It is your chance to get behind the scenes and discover how we craft our international award-winning spirits. Our tours run 4 days a week. Thursday 5pm, Friday and Saturday at 11am, 1pm and 3pm with Sunday tours running at 11am and 1pm.
The one-hour tour includes:
•Whitby Gin & tonic – enjoy our Original Whitby Gin (25ml) perfect serve.
•A detailed introduction to the beginning of Whitby Distillery.
•Botanical masterclass – touch and smell the pillars of our gin.
•Get up close with our iconic copper still and gain exclusive insights on how we craft award-winning spirits.
•Three different tasters of our spirits with a free Whitby Gin glass to take home with you.
Designated drivers will get a Whitby Gin 5cl mini bottle to enjoy at home.
Why Choose Us for Your Next Day Out in Yorkshire
Here at Whitby Distillery, we roam the rugged coastline and dip below the ocean’s surface to find our enchanting ingredients including sugar kelp from the wild north sea and North York Moors heather. Our products are distilled and bottled by hand in our Yorkshire-made vessel. We donate 1% of our revenue to the planet to support organisations tackling the planet’s most pressing environmental issues.
You can discover how international award-winning spirits are crafted with this Behind The Scenes Tasting Tour of Whitby Distillery. Come to see how our spirits are made, learn about the different botanicals we use, and how we support our local community and receive your complimentary Whitby Gin. These sessions are open to groups, just get in touch to book on!
Activities, Tours, Exhibits & Events
One hour Distillery tour experience.
Private bookings are available on request.
Accreditation and Awards
Our Original edition was Winner of Best British London Dry Gin at the 2019 World Gin Awards.
Many of our products have achieved the ‘The Great Taste’ award.
Opening Hours
Whether you are on a tour or just want to swing by, our shop welcomes you to take some of our delicious coastal spirit home with you. We stock a range of Whitby Distillery exclusive products and merchandise,
Opening times
Monday - Sunday 10am – 4pm.
Our tours run 4 days a week. Thursday 5pm, Friday and Saturday at 11am, 1pm and 3pm with Sunday tours running at 11am and 1pm.
Seasonal Experiences
Opening our doors to the locals in November 2023, we hosted out first open day, following on from this success we have further open days planned, please keep an eye out on our website or social media for updates.
Group Sizes Catered For
We welcome and can accommodate various sizes of groups. Please contact us for further information.
Pricing Information
The one-hour tour for £25pp includes:
•Whitby Gin & tonic – enjoy our Original Whitby Gin (25ml) perfect serve.
•A detailed introduction to the beginning of Whitby Distillery.
•Botanical masterclass – touch and smell the pillars of our gin.
•Get up close with our iconic copper still and gain exclusive insights on how we craft award-winning spirits.
•Three different tasters of our spirits with a free Whitby Gin glass to take home with you.
Designated drivers will get a Whitby Gin 5cl mini bottle to enjoy at home.
Please note:
•Over 18’s only.
- A soft drink option will be made available on arrival for those not drinking.
- We recommend that you arrive at least 5 minutes early as the tour will start promptly.
- We currently do not distill on Saturdays & Sundays.
- We cannot accommodate dogs on the tours.
- Our shop is card only.
- The tour and facilities are wheelchair accessible.
- Please get in touch if you have any further access requirements.
Facilities
Our ground floor site is fully accessible, please do feel free to contact us for any specific accessibility facility queries.
Accessibility and Disabled Facilities
With the Distillery being on the ground floor level, we have an accessible toilet facility and a disabled parking bay.