NB Gin gets green-light for new distillery

NB Distillery has received the go-ahead to build a new distillery in East Lothian.

The North-Berwick based distillery had its plans approved by East Lothian Council on March 7. The move will allow the craft distiller to expand its gin and vodka production to a 24-hour operation, in the wake of overwhelming demand from the UK and global markets.

NB Distillery also plans to offer tours of the distillery, which will include canapes served by North Berwick chef, JP MacLachlan.

MacLachlan, who has worked with Gordon Ramsay and Raymond Blanc, will also collaborate with the distillery and offer private dining options in the future. Visitors will also get their own slippers to wear during their time at the attraction.

CEO and co-founder of NB Gin, Viv Muir, says: “We have an overwhelming demand for our product worldwide which is necessitating major expansion.  With that has come a demand for distillery tours.

“As with everything we do at NB, we wanted to do something more than just the stock standard tour. When visitors come to the new distillery, we want it to feel like you’re coming for a drink and food at our home.

“That means you’ll be handed an NB as soon as you arrive, you’ll be invited to take off your shoes, be given your own slippers and our chef will be on hand to treat you with delicious canapes.  It is an experience and feeling of ‘coming home’, not a tour.

“We also plan to take advantage of East Lothian’s incredible produce to really compliment the luxury feel to the distillery.”

Miur says construction on the new distillery at Halfland Barns, to the south east of North Berwick, is due to begin shortly and she believes it’s a crucial next step in NB Gin’s growth since it was launched just four years ago.

NB hopes to have the distillery open by Autumn 2017.

The distillery will be energy neutral and will feature solar panels, lighting and heating. Additionally, the building will capture rain water, store it and allow it to be reused for the condensing process of stilling.

Muir says: “Since we launched NB just a few years ago, it’s been an incredible journey and we’ve enjoyed fantastic growth, especially over the last 12 months, with NB being enjoyed all around the world.

“We’re so proud that we can continue our global growth from our hometown and, at the same time, offer an original tourist draw that will benefit the local area.”

“We’re hugely excited about the new distillery and it’s another milestone for us and the company.

NB Gin was launched in 2014 by husband and wife Viv and Steve Muir, both lawyers from North Berwick, Scotland.

NB Gin was voted the world’s best London Dry gin by the World Drinks Awards in 2015.

The company still only produces its gin in small batches of 100 litres. It also offers Navy Strength gin, vodka and has plans for other new products this year.

NB has been part of several high-profile events including being served to stars at the BRIT Awards, being included as part of the Queen’s official 90th birthday commemoration book and being selected by Rolls-Royce as one of the world’s most revered brands. It works closely with the Royal and global party planner, Johnny Roxburgh.

The new distillery will be a steel portal frame building with a partial mezzanine floor, concrete access hard-standing and four car parking spaces. The front wall will be finished in horizontal lapped natural larch cladding. It is 18m x 13m.

18 March 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor