Investment to boost capacity 1400% at Sunderland-based Poetic License Distillery

Craft gin producer Poetic License Distillery has revealed plans to boost its annual production capacity from 100,000 bottles a year to 1.5 million.

The Sunderland-based company is looking to capitalise on a growing demand for British craft gin from customers overseas.

Poetic License is purchasing a new 2,000 litre gin still, used for distilling, to ramp up production volume by 1,400%.

The firm, which already exports spirits to Japan and Cyprus, decided to invest after observing a high rate of growth in the gin export market.

According to HMRC, the value of gin exports rose 21% to £283m during the first half of the year. That figure is expected to hit £600m by the end of 2018.

Poetic License recently signed a contract with a new distribution partner in South Africa and is in talks with a potential new buyer in China. The firm intends to target a raft of new markets in the new year, including Australia.

Mark Hird, founder and MD at Poetic License Distillery, said: “We first realised the scale of demand for British gin abroad after receiving a number of enquiries from overseas customers interested in buying our products.

“We had a few export orders that were just too big for our existing set-up – having our new larger gin still means we’re now fully geared up to handle whatever opportunities exporting may bring.”

He continued: “In our experience, export success is all about research and preparation. Last year we started working with government International Trade Advisers, who helped us develop our export strategy and identify new partners overseas.”

The Department for International Trade’s Head of Region for the North East, David Coppock, commented: “British gin exports are booming, driven by the creativity of our producers and the UK’s global reputation for quality goods.

“What’s more, demand is expected to continue growing and Poetic License Distillery has been quick to ensure it’s ready to make the most of this.”