Jim & Tonic to open rum distillery

Gin company Jim & Tonic is moving into rum with the opening of a 4,000-square-foot distillery in London.

The new distillery will be located at Sugar House Island in Stratford, UK. It will include two bars, an events room and flexible working space.

The Rum House will be situated next door to the brand’s gin distillery, which opened at Sugar House Island in 2022. Sugar House Island is a 26-acre riverside neighbourhood in Stratford.

James Mark, founder and head distiller at Jim & Tonic, said: “Since its inception in 2016, Jim & Tonic has evolved from one man with a van bringing quality gins and their perfect serves to the masses to a multifaceted company comprising spirit production, event services and venue management.

“With the move of our corporate headquarters to Sugar House Island, we sought to establish a single brand house that epitomises everything our brand is about.

“Within this, The Rum House will be the shining star. A trend-setting distillery, using the latest innovations to run as sustainably as possible.”

The space will house two bars, one on the rooftop and one on the ground floor, to showcase the distillery’s products in cocktails and ‘perfect serves’.

Furthermore, there will be an open-plan event space with room for 150 people, which will cater for corporate events, weddings, art exhibitions, or additional celebratory parties.

Michael Cronin, head of portfolio at Vastint UK, said: “Jim & Tonic was one of the first businesses to open at Sugar House Island during the initial phase of our transformation, so it’s hugely rewarding that the team will be expanding the business even further on the island.”

Last week, King Charles III opened Scotland’s northernmost mainland distillery, 8 Doors, during his visit to John O’Groats.