This month we caught up with the team at Wildjac Distillery. If you’ve been reading our Badass Liquor Boss Series so far, you’ll know that we’re on a mission to find you the most Badass of Bosses and their spirits. We’re chatting to gin and rum distillers around the country to bring you stories of the love, life and grind that goes into each bottle.
Hey WILDJAC TEAM! Thanks so much for chatting to us! First up, what did you do before creating your SPIRITS?
There is actually a long-standing history of distilling in the family! The Sadler family have been brewers and distillers for over 150 years.
What made you decide to create your SPIRITS and what’s the inspiration behind THEM?
After moving on from our successful brewery of 15 years it was time to investigate our other hereditary talents.
We saw an exciting opportunity to bring a range of spirits to the market which give back, not only to the community but also to the Wild.
Tell us about your distillery – location, any names for your stills etc. and can you tell us about the distillation process and/or botanicals used?
Based in the heart of the Wyre Forest and nestled above six and a half thousand acres of British oak, silver birch and Douglas fir trees, the history of the forest gave us the inspiration for Wildjac.
For much of prehistory, it was a ‘wildwood’, and you will still find rowan, hazel and ash among the oaks today. ‘Prudence’ is our beautiful Still, named after a famous ‘Severn Trow’ cargo boat that sailed botanicals & spices to our local port of Bewdley in the early 19th Century.
Evolving Traditional Distilling techniques and embracing state of the art technology we have been able to reduce our carbon footprint and produce truly sustainable, eco-friendly spirits.
We create premium botanical spirits with natural ingredients foraged from the Wyre Forest and surrounding land. We were inspired by the Wyre Forest which the distillery sits right on the edge of, and which used to be known as the ‘Wildwood’. With a range of Gins, Rums, Citrus Vodka and a Botanical non-alcoholic spirit, we use locally foraged Douglas fir and Worcestershire Honey in the spirits as well as herbs grown in our garden like lemon balm and lemon thyme.
The expansion of our range has also allowed us to work with local organic fruit farmers, Augernick, to bring seasonal variations.
What have been the biggest challenges/achievements, or your favourite story so far?
Donating our first payments for ‘1% to the planet’ – We support local and national non-profits which are underpinned by 1% for the planet, an organisation which certifies the donations from companies to these non-profits.
We have chosen both local and national projects so that we can make a difference at every level. We also support these with our time volunteering for their projects and campaigns and by identifying ways that we can help each other.
How would you describe your GINs in 3 words?
Smooth, Fresh, Traditional
What’s your favourite way to drink your SPIRITS?
Simply neat poured over ice or accompanied with a Wildjac Naturally Light Tonic Water.
What GIN & RUMS would you always have on your shelf (other than your own of course!) / any favourites at the moment?
Rokit Raspberry Gin, Silver Fox Dry Gin, Jatt Life Fruit Gin, Beckford’s Maroon Rum.
What’s next / any exciting plans?
We are excited to be working to produce some seasonal harvest specials, each will be on a limited release and showcase a season.
Much like the monthly specials in the beer world, this keeps our range fresh and relevant as well as being a good way to gauge our customers favourite flavours.
Our Wildjac HQ will be opening it’s first bar in Bewdley every Friday and Saturday.
Thanks Wildjac Team! Did you know, we regularly use Wildjac spirits in our Virtual Tasting and Events? If you’d like to find out more about Wildjac spirits or the distillery visit: www.wildjac.co.uk
