Five entrepreneurs based in Ayrshire & Arran are raising a glass today, on International Women’s Day, and hope their ‘spirit’ inspires others to break into male-dominated industries like distilling.
Lynda Gill, Philippa Dalton and Jenine Ward all originally from England, Juli Dempsey originally from the US and Bronwyn Jenkins-Deas, originally from Vancouver Island, Canada set up Isle of Cumbrae Distillers and launched their first gin in September 2020.
Their signature gin, Nostalgin, won gold at the Gin Masters and bronze at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) as well as finalist standings at the Scottish Gin Awards and the Gin Guide; Croc Rock won silver at the Gin Masters and bronze at the IWSC, the team was also a finalist for Best Newcomer for the Scottish Gin Awards.
This led to further accolades from the Association of Scottish Businesswomen as Most Innovative Start-up 2021 and Ayrshire Businesswomen's Most Enterprising Business 2021.
All has been achieved without any prior experience or knowledge of gin production. The secret ingredient to their success has been a willingness to approach other like-minded businesses and organisations to build relationships and partnerships. Through collaboration they have navigated many initial challenges, such as being mentored in the art of distilling, and it has led to a Clyde Island gin pack with Arran and Bute, to market the islands as a destination.