Start a spirits brand
Understand the production routes, likely costs, timelines and trade-offs before committing to a recipe, equipment or a manufacturing contract.
Spirits development & distillery advice · UK & beyond
Make a spirit.
Make it work.
Independent, practical advice on creating spirits and building the businesses behind them. From the first fermentation to a production plan that can grow with you.
Good advice should work in the real world, not just on paper.
From first idea to first spirit — and the decisions in between.Fermentation · Distillation · Recipe development · Production planning
What I do
Help at the point you need it.
You might have an idea for a gin, whisky, rum or brandy. You might already make beer, cider or wine and want to turn it into a spirit. We can start with one decision or work together across the whole project.
Develop the spirit
Work through the base fermentation, distillation and recipe development to create a spirit with the character you want and a process you can repeat.
Find a production partner
Define what you need from a contract distiller or bottler, compare the options and ask the questions that matter before you commit.
Set up or expand a distillery
Plan the equipment, process and practical steps for an in-house operation, whether you're starting out or adding spirits to an existing business.
The person behind the advice
Advice from someone who has made the decisions himself.
I’m Laurence, founder of Wharf Distillery. I’ve spent decades making fermented drinks and spirits, and have worked with founders, estates and established businesses to turn ideas into actual products.
I know the excitement of a new idea and the less glamorous realities behind it: ingredients, yields, production partners, equipment, compliance, packaging and the cost of getting the detail wrong.
My role is to help you make informed choices, at a scale that suits your ambition and budget.
Since 2012Building and running Wharf Distillery
100+Contract clients supported
200+Products developed across client and in-house work
How it works
Start with a useful conversation.
There’s no need to commission a large project before you know whether the idea stacks up. We begin with the decision in front of you and agree what kind of help would be worthwhile.
01
Tell me the idea
What you want to make, where you are now and what you need to work out next.
02
Map the route
We identify the production options, the key unknowns and the decisions that affect cost and timing.
03
Get the right support
That might be a focused advisory session, recipe work, partner selection or a longer facility project.
Get in touch
What are you trying to make?
Tell me about your spirit or distillery project, where you are in the process and the question you most need answered.
Email LaurenceAn early idea is enough to start the conversation. I work with first-time founders, existing producers and organisations looking to make something new.
While the independent consultancy is being established, enquiries reach me through Wharf Distillery.
While the independent consultancy is being established, enquiries reach me through Wharf Distillery.