Dorset whisky distillery seeks £2.75m funding

A planned whisky distillery in the English county of Dorset is looking to raise £2.75 million (US$3.8m) in funding to begin production.

An artist’s impression of the Springhead Distillery in Dorset

Founded by entrepreneur Hutch Wright and his son Alex, The Dorset County Distilling Company will use the funds to complete construction of its Springhead Distillery in the Blackmore Vale.

The company – which will also produce rum, vodka, gin and eaux de vie – will source all ingredients from within a 50-mile radius and aim to “paint a picture of Englishness”.

Unconstrained by the rules that govern Scotch whisky, the distillery founders said it will have more freedom to experiment with recipes, production methods and cask finishes.

“One of our key business objectives is to see our brands universally recognised and associated with quality and authenticity within the next half-decade,” said Hutch Wright.

“In time we want our whisky to be renowned for its Dorset heritage, just as Speyside Scotches and Kentucky Bourbons are known for their own distinctive qualities.”

The Wrights established The Dorset County Distilling Company in response to the demand for ‘craft’ spirits.

“The trends that have transformed the beer, wine and gin markets during the past decade or so are increasingly shaping the world of whisky,” said Hutch Wright.

“With beer in particular there’s now a very strong public perception that quality is most likely to be found in products that come from small, independent, ‘craft’ producers.

“All the evidence suggests the same outlook is being applied to spirits, with craft products steadily encroaching on territory that was once dominated by multinationals.

“So we see this as a great opportunity to enter a market that has enormous growth potential – and we want other entrepreneurs to join us in seizing that opportunity.”

The fundraising scheme will be managed by tax-efficient platform GrowthInvest, offering a minimum investment of £2,500.