Devon distillery behind luxury gin targets major expansion amid growing demand

Salcombe’s brands are already sold in Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges and John Lewis

A Devon distillery is aiming to triple in size over the next five years after reporting 10 per cent year-on-year growth. Salcombe, which produces premium gin, rum and non-alcoholic spirits, said its performance amid challenging market conditions was driven by “disciplined brand positioning, strategic partnerships and international expansion”.

The company’s growth was bolstered by a 40 per cent uplift in travel retail, with the distillery’s brands now listed in some 26 duty free stores across 16 UK airports and on more than 10 cruise ships and cross-channel ferries, including P&O Cruises, P&O Ferries and Brittany Ferries.

Howard Davies, co-founder and director of Salcombe Distilling Co, said: “In a market where premium drinks brands are facing real pressure, we’ve remained clear on who we are and where we fit. Our growth reflects not only the strength of our coastal luxury positioning, but the loyalty of partners and consumers who believe in what we’re building”.

Salcombe also achieved a 25 per cent uplift in the domestic on-trade wholesale market – where drinks are sold and drunk on premises such as in bars and restaurants – which it said reflected a “deliberate strategy of partnership-led expansion”.

Angus Lugsdin, co-founder and director of Salcombe Distilling Co, said: “Travel retail feels like a natural fit for us. We were born on the waterfront, so partnering with leading cruise, ferry and travel operators allows us to bring that coastal story to travellers in an authentic and meaningful way”.

The distillery’s coastal luxury proposition is also gaining traction internationally. Salcombe Gin is now distributed across multiple US states on the east and west coasts, while its non-alcoholic New London Light brand is available nationally in North America via Amazon.

Further export success has followed in Asia, including a recent launch at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, with future expansion planned into other coastal cities where demand for luxury British goods remains strong, Salcombe said.

Salcombe Distilling Co was founded in 2014 by Mr Lugsdin and Mr Davies, who met in the 1990s teaching sailing in Salcombe. In 2016, Salcombe Gin ‘Start Point’ launched alongside completion of the waterfront distillery.

Since launching, Salcombe’s brands have gained a number of prestige listings including in Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges and John Lewis & Partners.

Mr Lugsdin added: “Our ambition is clear, to become the world’s number one coastal luxury spirits brand. We will continue to grow thoughtfully, protect our premium positioning and expand internationally across both alcoholic and non-alcoholic categories.”