Shop Cotswolds sets out to explore the back stories behind our amazing producer members, with a series of ‘Getting to Know’ features.
We spoke to Bill Buckley, the founder and owner of Spirit of Ilmington.
Background
Spirit of Ilmington was set up in 2014 in the North Cotswolds village of Ilmington. The business produces a wide range of handcrafted, small batch spirits and liqueurs.
Apple spirit is added to all the spirits range which results in a hint of apple in the aftertaste.
Delicious pure fruit juice is compounded with the Dry Gin to produce the Fruit liqueurs.
The products are available online to purchase via the website and are also found in quality restaurants, bars and retail outlets across the country.
Q&A with Bill Buckley
What inspired you to set up the business?
As a young teenager, I enjoyed making cider and beer but that stopped when I had to study for a real job. Only in retirement when I came to live in the lovely village of Ilmington was that enjoyment re-awakened. The village had been a collection of farms in medieval. times and there were orchards of apple trees so that cider could be made in order to refresh the workers in the fields.
A cider press was acquired and apples were collected. Cider production started as a hobby and became a business. Then, about eight years ago an alembic copper still was purchased and our first apple brandy produced which turned out to be delicious.
What is the best piece of advice you have received for your business?
A famous TV food personality remarked that the brandy was excellent.
That made me realise that her comments were advice cloaked in a comment so off I went to see Fortnum & Mason, who subsequently bought our apple brandy.
What is your best seller? And why you think it’s so popular.
We have two bestsellers out of our eleven products. Apple Brandy and Dry Gin.
They have both been awarded a silver medal in the London Spirits Competition, which marks the products for presentation, taste and value for money. The apple brandy was just one point off Gold.
For more information on Spirit of Ilmington go to https://www.spiritofilmington.co.uk or email Bill on info@spiritofilmington.co.uk