Kenilworth's East Chase Distillers is "delighted" to have recently received The Midlands Service Excellence Award, for the best New Business of the Year.

The East Chase Farm-based business was launched in November 2022 by school friends Luke Weetman and Richie Bartle, who decided over a few drinks in their local pub to start making an selling their own gin.

The business took seven years to get off the ground, with the duo spending a huge amount of time planning and researching, building a high quality premises themselves and tackling Covid difficulties to establish their business.

East Chase Distillers (ECD) launched alongside the Weetman's family Christmas tree operation which sells around 2,500 Christmas tree from East Chase Farm every year.

It was an opportunity for Luke (sixth generation) to further diversify on his family farm, alongside one of his best friends who had had firstly been in the Marines, followed by 10 years in UK Special Forces.

ECD produces Heritage Gin using a unique blend of botanicals sourced both locally, and from around the globe, including juniper berries, coriander, citrus peel and rhubarb from their farm garden in Kenilworth.

ECD was launched by school friends Luke Weetman (left) and Richie Bartle (image supplied)

The company uses traditional distilling techniques to produce a smooth, flavourful gin with a distinctive taste profile.

The distillery offers a range of gin products, including its flagship product, a London Dry Gin, and flavoured seasonal gins including Citrus Orange, Rhubarb & Apple, and Summer Berries. Soon to be launched in next few weeks are three vodkas.

The judges commented: "ECD offer a well thought out and researched proposition with a strong emphasis on sustainability - an example of this is the underfloor heating can be heated from their still.

"Great Ideas including 'Gin,Tonic and Tales' evenings, with one of the founders telling his back story from being in the Special Boat services and marines.

"The company uses UK manufactured glass to reduce their carbon footprint.

"Collectable bottles with a Union Jack set in to the glass and use distinctive logo stoppers."

ECD's bar at East Chase Farm is open every Friday evening (image via ECD)

The distillery is open every Friday night from 4pm till late and they showcase a monthly collaboration (usually the last Friday of the month) with local street food vendors including Tapas, Mexican, Indian, please see the website for further details.

As well as their Heritage gin and vodka, they have local beers from Church Farm Brewery and wines from Welcombe Hills, which also emphasises their local collaboration.

The distillery will soon be launching mini stills with a 'make your own gin experience events'.

They also have a mobile horsebox bar for weddings and events too, along with Wildflower Events field for larger corporate events and weddings, with views of Kenilworth Castle.

Now approved suppliers for National Trust and English Heritage, along with specialist drink wholesalers Inn Express, this award-winning new business are looking forward to expanding their business both in the Midlands and Nationwide.