Harbour distillery applies to create gin-tasting space

Saturday 07 August 2021

A local distillery has applied to open a gin-tasting area at its South Pier home.

The Channel Islands Liquor Company is based around the Harbour, producing artisan liquor products including the Wheadon’s Gin range, Pink Granite Gin and in the hemp-infused Indica Rum range.

The company renovated the ‘Old Sail Loft’ building on South Pier and reopened it as a distillery in November 2019.

It has now applied to Planning to change the use of part of the ground floor to allow it to run private gin-tasting sessions.

As part of the application, Managing Director Luke Wheadon said: “Putting a modern-day distillery into the site has allowed us to create a space that is truly unique in its aesthetic marrying Jersey history with artisan production.

“The current use of the building from light industrial with a recent addition of a retail unit and we would like to apply for a change of use for the distillery area on the ground floor of the building from sole light industrial use, which is the gin distillery, to mixed use, to allow for occasional private gin-tasting sessions.

“The gin-tasting events will be for private groups booked in advance. The anticipated number of attendees in a typical session would be 20 people, however there could be slightly larger taster sessions on the odd occasion. An event would require two members of staff to be in attendance.”

Pictured: The distillery is in an old sail loft on South Pier.

Mr Wheadon added that most events would begin at 18:00, when the pier would be at its quietest. However, he envisaged that, as alcohol would be consumed, most guests would not arrive by car and the business would be encouraging people to walk.

Most tasting sessions would take between one and two hours, he said, and would also involve an introduction into the art of distillation and the history of the distillery and its products.

During the pandemic, Mr Wheadon turned his attention from gin to making seaweed-based hand sanitiser. 

In a letter supporting the application, Meryl Laisney, Head of Product at Visit Jersey, wrote: "As we look to extend Jersey's seasonality, it is important to develop authentic, cultural experiences that can be enjoyed all year round.

"This is important for holidaymakers, visiting friends and relatives and also the business visitor. The opportunity to host corporate tastings is particularly welcomed by the corporate events sector, which is integral to Jersey's events strategy.

"On the information shared with us, we believe this application will have a positive impact on the visitor economy and would be happy to support the proposed scheme."

Pictured top: Channel Islands Liquor Company founders Mark Taft and Luke Wheadon.