Borough Wines to house Butler’s Gin distillery

Independent London merchant Borough Wines & Beers has opened its eighth venue in Islington, which will also house a new distillery for Butler’s Gin.

Butler’s Gin is to move production to Borough Wines & Beers’ new site in Essex Road, Islington

Based in Islington’s Essex Road, the store was briefly used by Borough Wines as a pop-up in December 2015 but has now been refurbished and opened as a permanent venue complete with bottle shop, events space and distillery.

Ross Butler, founder of Hackney’s Butler’s Gin, formed a basement “supper room”, called The Vault, in partnership with Borough Wines at the company’s new Islington site.

Butler will move his gin production to an adjoining distillery room, which will also host regular workshops and events.

Borough Wines also plans to open a “nano-brewery” beneath the shop and produce small batch beers in partnership with local breweries.

“After receiving such a warm reception from the local community to our pop-up last year we couldn’t wait to re-open a permanent shop on the site,” said Corinna Pyke, co-owner of Borough Wines.

“It took a little longer than expected, but we didn’t want to rush the process and we are delighted with the result. It is a truly striking space that reflects the same accessible spirit as our existing shops, but with a more design-led, modern approach.

“The huge basement space is a real bonus and gives us an opportunity to further broaden our events offering and – in working with Ross Butler – diversify this with more spirits-led activities too. The plan is to do the same with beer in the coming months.”