In 1938, the MOD launched Operation GPSS (Government pipeline & storage system) to find a way to store and transport fuel around the UK out of enemy sight. A handful of secret, underground fuel depots were commissioned and in the middle of the Shropshire woodland, our site was built complete with 22 underground tanks, air raid shelters and it's own alcohol production plant for use in fuel. Over 80 years on, we have repurposed this into our distillery and maturation site.

The site was purchased in the early 70's by Hannah's father, where he built up a range of businesses within agriculture. To this day, these businesses are run by Hannah's brother Will and support British Farming through production of molasses-based animal feed, crop nutrition for sustainable farming and Adblue manufacture to reduce CO2 emissions. It's these very businesses that play a vital role in helping Distinct Distillers achieve it's unique circular economy that directly gives back to the environment in meaningful ways.

A chance encounter with a bartender sparked an interest in rum—a spirit we knew little about at the time. But after looking deeper, we saw the striking parallels between our family’s manufacturing expertise and the process of distillation.

Determined to do things properly, Hannah gained experience at Diageo, refining her knowledge of the industry, while Josh left his career in music to retrain as a distiller. Drawing on the expertise of the family business, we set out to build something truly different—not just another craft distillery, but one that could produce exceptional spirits in the most efficient way possible from fermentation to maturation.