A couple is making award-winning gin and vodka after starting a distillery in a garden shed during the pandemic lockdown.
Terri Hudson and husband Richard began experimenting with alcohol flavorings over 12 years ago in their first copper still.
The couple has since converted an old poultry shed—also on their land in Taunton, Somerset, England.
They’ve already scooped up 15 awards since launching officially last year.
“It started as a hobby and we had a real passion for it,” said Richard, 38. “We’ve both worked in the merchant navy so knew a bit about different cultures and flavors and have always enjoyed experimenting.
“Then during the first Covid lockdown, we bought an old farm to move to, and we also decided to start experimenting with distilling alcohol in the shed with a small copper still.
Once they tasted their treasure, the couple wanted to start selling small batches commercially so they applied for all the necessary licenses. They had a derelict poultry shed at the bottom of the land, so they applied to convert it into a distillery.
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”We’ve still got the chickens next door, but the warehouse now has all our copper stills and we operate out of that.”
They officially launched Mainline Spirits last June, using a name inspired by the unique history of their plot of land. The couple found links to local railroad history soon after moving in, which showed that the location was on the Mainline railway between London and Penzance.
“The farm hadn’t been touched since the 1970s, but we found documentation about the farm that said it was built in 1717,” explained Richard. Records showed it was right in the path of the original steam locomotives.
”Back in the day it was a big farm with orchards, so we’re trying to replant them and pick ingredients from the land.”
Describing their spirits as “using only the finest hand picked botanicals from the rolling landscapes,” the couple chose train-related names such as Signalman Vodka and Western Star Gin—named for the Great Western Railway.
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Since officially launching less than a year ago, the couple have won 15 awards, including a gold medal in the Taste of the West after just 16 days.
They have also been recognized with accolades at The Gin Masters and Gin of the Year awards.
“Considering we only launched the brand last year, we have hit the ground running,” said the excited entrepreneur.
“To win so many awards in such a short space of time is humbling.
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“When we are sat next to high end brands that are normally on shop shelves or TV with the same medal, you have to pinch yourself.”
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