Borough Wines boosts offer with nano-distillery

Borough Wines is boosting its focus on spirit and craft beer after unveiling an on-site distillery at its new permanent shop in Islington.

The Essex Road shop, which started as a pop-up before Christmas, is also intending to introduce its own ‘nano-brewery’ that will produce its own small-batch beer.

The on-site distillery is the new home of Butler’s Gin, which has supplied the company for a number of years. It will sit next to a supper room, The Vault, which where Butler’s Gin owner Ross Butler and the Borough Wine team will host regular workshops and events.

“We knew Ross was looking for a new place to produce the gin and it seemed like the perfect fit. Once he is all set-up, the plan is to roll out spirits-focused events, tastings and workshops together in the basement events space. Over the next few months, we will also be installing brewing equipment and establishing an in-house nano-brewery on site, ” a spokesman said. “As with all the shops – the focus is on interesting, bottles (or cans!) from innovative producers, who make interesting products that you wouldn’t otherwise find on the high street.”

The new Borough Wine Shop on Essex Road, Islington includes an events space and micro-distillery

The shop will also stock gins from other producers including Little Bird, East London Liquor Co. and Fair Spirits, and is also introducing speciality coffee from London coffee roaster, Climpson & Sons, along with its existing portfolio of global wine,  Straight From The Barrel wine refills and local and international craft beers.

Borough Wines co-owner Corinna Pyke admitted the refit after the closure of the pop-up had taken longer than expected, but the were delighted with the more modern, “design-led” store.

“The huge basement space is a real bonus and gives us an opportunity to further broaden our events offering and – in working with Ross Butler – diversify this with more spirits-led activities too. The plan is to do the same with beer in the coming months.”

The company had planned to open a ninth shop in Wandsworth on the Bellevue Road, however it confirmed it the proposed site had fallen through.

“We are still looking at options in that area,” she said.

Last month the company boosted its wholesale business after partnering with Italian wine keg specialist Vinicola Serena to relaunch its refill system across its retail and wholesale business, including its Borough Wine Corners.