Beefeater opens the doors of gin

Famous brand to welcome visitors to London distillery

An artist’s impression of the visitor facility. Work is due to begin on the site later this year.

THE story of London gin will be told like never before when a famous distillery opens its doors to the public for the first time later this year.

The development at Pernod Ricard’s historic Beefeater Gin Distillery in Kennington will give visitors to the capital a chance to see the world-famous gin brand being made.
The attraction will be named “Beefeater London – The Home of Gin” and is to be built within the existing distillery complex, allowing visitors to travel from the ground to the second floor.

This is a magnificent opportunity to celebrate the heritage of gin in London.

Visitors will be invited behind the scenes to learn how Beefeater Gin and sister brand Beefeater 24 are made.
Tours will look at the history of gin and its place in London life, taking visitors through the process by which the gin is still made using founder James Burrough’s original recipe based on nine natural botanicals.
Guests will be able to enjoy a series of interactive showcases and see, touch and smell the botanicals used within the production process. The experience will conclude in the distillery’s cathedral-like still house where visitors will be able to see live gin production in progress.
The creation of the 600 square metre building also marks a significant milestone in the career of Beefeater’s master distiller Desmond Payne who, with over 45 years’ experience, is regarded as a leading gin expert.
He said: “We have decided to push open the doors for the very first time and share some of those secrets with visitors to London, and locals, who are interested in seeing just how much expertise goes into making one of London’s most successful and famous brands.
“The Beefeater Gin Distillery is one of the city’s best kept secrets.
“This is a magnificent opportunity to celebrate the heritage of gin in London, something that has been at the heart of the capital’s history for more than three hundred years.
“I am proud that Beefeater Gin will be the first distiller to tell the full story.”
With Beefeater sold in around 100 countries, Pernod Ricard expects the new visitor centre to become a significant addition to London’s tourist scene.

Image – An artist’s impression of the visitor facility. Work is due to begin on the site later this year.