Jim Long acquires StarSpice Ingredients

StarSpice Ingredients Ltd is to enter a new phase of management having been founded over 10 years ago.

The supplier of botanicals has been acquired by Jim Long, with founder David Carpenter to step back from day to day operations. David will stay with the business part-time as a consultant to lend his knowledge of sourcing botanicals for gin distilling.

StarSpice offers a service to distillers alongside an understanding and respect for provenance, terroir, ethos at origin and specialised product knowledge combined with an appreciation of customer requirements.

The botanical specialist has developed an extensive product list, with access to over 150 botanicals, herbs and spices, in response to the recent renaissance in the distilling of gin, liqueurs, spirit drinks and non-alcoholic botanical drinks. StarSpice imports botanicals from all over the world, including organic ingredients, from approved and carefully selected suppliers with modern processing facilities and quality control.

Long has worked in the global spirits world for over 20 years supporting the PR and marketing of spirits brands, including the likes of Beefeater, Plymouth, Gordon’s and Tanquerary gins, and has served as a board director of The Gin Guild since 2016. He has maintained close contacts with distillers across the spectrum of the UK’s distilling trade and remains an advocate for the provenance and production of spirits brands and is a spirits judge at the Great Taste Awards.

Jim Long comments: “The development of StarSpice to date is a testament to David’s expertise and experience, so it is a privilege to take over the reins and continue the legacy. With gin, spirits and in particular flavour innovation in a dynamic place, it is an exciting time to engage with producers and take forward the business.”

David Carpenter comments: “I am pleased that StarSpice has found a new home and can continue to offer a valued and unrivalled service to gin distillers and the UK food and drink trade. I am proud of the progress Starspice has made to date and look forward to assisting its development for the future.”

6 June 2019 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editor