Gin maker plans whisky distillery and visitors centre

An award-winning gin maker has lodged plans for a new whisky distillery and visitors centre at its site in Harrogate.Harrogate Distillery, which trades as Whittaker’s Gin, was founded in 2015 and is based in outbuildings at Harewell House Farm in Harrogate.Along with its four London dry gins, it also makes English Cassis Gin for Fortnum and Mason in London, Greystone Gin for the Harewood Food and Drink Project and the Double Sloe Gin for ‘That Boutique-y Gin Company’ (Master of Malt).Harrogate Distillery has now lodged plans for a new building to house a whisky distillery and visitors centre.New stills and brewing equipment will be installed to enable it to produce a new whisky product.The new visitors centre is expected to hold tours of the distillery every three days for about 30 people.The company intends to install solar panels on its buildings to help reduce energy costs. There are also plans for a new herb garden and bee keeping facilities.The distillery currently employs four full-time and two part-time staff with new employees set to be taken on as part of the expansion.Harrogate Distillery currently sells about £600,000 worth of gin a year and produces approximately 3,000 bottles per month.Awards for Whittaker’s Gin include Best Contemporary European Gin at the 2016 Craft Distilling Expo London for its Pink Particular product.