Stargazey Spirits saves Verdant Spirits from closure

After the distillery closed in 2023, gin producer Verdant Spirits has been given a new lease of life after being bought by Stargazey Spirits.

Financial details of the acquisition have not been shared.

Based in Dundee, Scotland, the Verdant Spirits distillery closed last year due to pressures stemming from Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Joe Barber, Stargazey Spirits founder, said: “I was first attracted to Verdant because of its exceptional track record. The history and heritage of a spirit born in Dundee that was a Scottish Gin of the Year at the Gin Awards, and the sole supplier of a House of Commons gin, really interested me.

“Once I had a bottle in my hands and got to taste Verdant, I realised just how much potential there was. Verdant is distilled with the highest quality ingredients and is extremely smooth. The quality of the product is incredible, and I knew I had to support the brand and help develop it further.”

Barber has been a judge at The Gin of the Year competition, run by the Craft Distilling Expo, and has worked with the American Distilling Institute since 2018.

He added: “Set up as a spirit producer initially, Stargazey Spirits was where I learned the nuances of the distillation process as well as bottling and labelling procedures. However, as I spoke with local distillers and discovered the issues they were facing, Stargazey evolved.

“We now help distillers operating on that scale who need support with producing, bottling and storage in order to scale up. In addition to Verdant Gin, we’re working with three other brands, including Wrecking Coast Distillery in Cornwall.

“There are so many opportunities for Verdant Gin. We’re excited to take the brand forward, while holding on to the true essence of this incredible spirit.”

Last year, English spirits producer Turncoat Distillery was saved from permanent closure after being acquired by a local entrepreneur.