Distillery licence applications treble in a year

Boutique spirits are booming as new figures show the number of applications for distillery licences in the UK has more than trebled in the last year.

Distillery licence applications in the UK more than trebled from 2014 to 2015

According to research by UHY Hacker Young Chartered Accountants, the number of applications jumped from 20 to 65 in the year up to 31 March 2015.

Among the growing number of applicants are distillers including Rock Rose Gin, East London Liquor Company and Butler’s Gin.

The study suggests the surge has been spearheaded by a rising number of bars offering extensive and unusual cocktail menus, particularly in trendy London areas such as Hackney and Shoreditch.

“Fashionable young consumers are searching for authenticity in their drinks, and they are not afraid to pay higher prices for it,” said James Simmonds, UHY Hacker Young partner. “The sharp increase in distiller applications reflects this rising consumer demand.

“A trend that started in the bars of Shoreditch is now becoming a real thriving growth sector across the UK, with formerly boutique brands widely available on supermarket shelves.

“Some start-up distilleries are beginning to look to export globally and they have the potential to do very well internationally. Scotch whisky is one of the top exports for Scotland; the UK’s boutique spirit industry could follow its example.”