Copper Rivet Distillery opens doors to public

A new distillery, located on the banks of the River Medway, Kent has opened its doors to the public.

Copper Rivet Distillery is one of only a handful of distilleries in Britain to complete the distillation process from grain to glass.

The new distillery uses 100% Kentish grains, grown on the neighbouring Isle of Sheppey; and the spent grains are then fed to local cattle to complete a holistic process.

Bob Russell, and his sons Matthew and Stephen used the launch evening to showcase their ‘Son of a Gun’, a clear English grain spirit matured in cask. This joins Copper Rivet Distillery’s Dockyard Gin and Vela Vodka, all distilled from their barley, wheat and rye.  

Stephen Russell comments: “We aim to be different from other distilleries. Our head distiller Abhi Banik, who studied and taught at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, is a genie; and we think his ‘Son of a Gun’ is going to be a revolutionary winner."

"In three years, our Masthouse Whisky will also launch, with all four spirits showing the beauty of using local grains and malted grain – the French notion of ‘terroir’ brought across the water to Kent. We are excited that our in-house delicatessen is doing great business; and an entertaining space beside the river will be open at the end of June. These are very exciting times for our family and for Copper Rivet Distillery.”

28 May 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor