Gin Making Experience at Black Cat Distillery in Penrith

Gin Making Experience at Black Cat Distillery in Penrith

Black Cat Distillery is an independent artisan distillery founded by Clare Jeremy and based in the beautiful Eden Valley near Penrith, within the historic surroundings of Brougham Hall.

The inspiration behind the distillery comes from a wonderfully resourceful piece of gin history. Following the introduction of the Gin Act in 1736, entrepreneur Dudley Bradstreet devised a clever way to continue selling gin on the streets of London. He adapted a wooden black cat sign so customers could discreetly buy gin by placing money into the cat’s mouth before receiving their drink through a tube beneath its paw. It is this ingenious tale that inspired both the Black Cat name and its distinctive logo.

Today, Clare brings that same sense of creativity to the distillery’s small-batch gins. Traditional distilling techniques are combined with carefully chosen European, Southern Asian and African botanicals to create elegant, contemporary flavours, all brought together using water from the Lakeland fells.

For Clare, producing gin in small batches is very much part of the appeal. It allows every stage of the distilling process to be closely monitored, with plenty of attention given to flavour, balance and quality.

Set among ancient landscapes, Roman remains and medieval buildings, Black Cat Distillery feels like a fitting home for a gin brand inspired by history, craftsmanship and a little bit of mischief. Visitors can look forward to meeting Clare, discovering more about the story behind the distillery and, naturally, sampling some rather special gin along the way.