Sipsmith moves distillery to west London

London microdistillery Sipsmith is moving to new, larger premises in residential Chiswick as it expands its global footprint.

Previously located in a small garage in Hammersmith, the distillery will be gradually relocated this week to a much larger site on Cranbrook Road in Chiswick, formerly used as a private car park.

Sipsmith founders Sam Galsworthy and Fairfax Hall have so far installed a new steam-heated 1,500-litre pot still – named Constance – which is expected to kick to life by the end of April.

Constance will produce Sipsmith’s gin and vodka until the group’s existing still and maceration tank – Patience and Prudence – are installed after the summer.

Still a “craft” distillery

However, Galsworthy told The Spirits Business there will be little to no supply shortage during the transition, having stockpiled enough to satisfy demand from its 20 global markets in the interim. He added that despite the move, Sipsmith would continue to champion “craft” production.

“We think craft is a promise that as you do grow, you continue to make your product in the same way you did when you were first deemed craft,” he said. “Anyway, this move is less about building production capacity, and more about growing the space we work in as our team is now so big.”

The new distillery, accessed through a bright blue door at the opposite end of a private car park, will also act as an education facility for the trade, featuring a bespoke training bar and experimental laboratory.

Sipsmith has sourced reclaimed wooden school desks for the bar, which will host training seminars, workshops, cocktail competitions and presentations once completed. It will also feature a “wall of joy” – a wall mounted with five-litre balloon jars containing samples of spirits produced at the distillery.

The distillery will also host a gin school in a bespoke laboratory area – which will eventually include a mini still for experimental purposes – enabling in-house experimentation and gin-making masterclasses for visitors.

“We are taking education to the next step, but retaining the close-up and personal aspect Sipsmith has always been known for,” Galsworthy said.

The new distillery is expected to see Sipsmith “through the next five years”, after which time the team will likely install an additional still.