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Getting to Know Whitby Gin’s Co-Founder Jessica Slater

Stoelzle Spirits is proud to collaborate with many unique and prestige spirits partners across the globe. All of which have their own special history and inspiration, and is why we are thrilled to share our recent Q&A with one of the founders, Jessica Slater, of the award-winning Whitby Gin.

Date Published

04 / 04 / 2022

What makes Whitby Gin unique and sets it apart from other gins and distilleries?

First and foremost, it is our gin that makes us unique. We capture the diversity of native botanicals so that our customers literally can experience some coastal spirit at home. Authentic craftsmanship is at the heart of what we do. From exploring the rugged coastline and dipping below the ocean surface to find those enchanting ingredients, to distilling on our 300 L copper column still. There is a human touch in every stage of our process.

I also think that our gin journey is a real feel-good story that our customers love. We started Whitby Distillery on a shoestring, in our mid-twenties, from a utility room. Five years later, we are in the process of investing £1.8 million into our new world-class distillery, championing green initiatives in one of the most iconic locations in the UK.

We are where we are because of hard work, perseverance, and a smidge of naivety. Because of a certain lack of life experience, we took on risks bigger than we understood them to be!

How does it feel to be a female leader in the spirits industry? Are there many women in the field? What are the biggest opportunities and challenges?

The spirits industry is often characterised as one dominated by men, but I see that as an opportunity more than anything. It motivates me even more to seek out initiatives that support females in the industry. I am looking at ways Whitby Distillery can work with local colleges and universities to inspire the next generation of female leaders. As a small but growing distillery, there is a huge opportunity for us to introduce family-friendly working policies continue encouraging a more diverse workforce.

In my day-to-day, I work with many men, but as the years go on I come across and work with a more diverse demographic who are at the helm of innovation for the industry. I see more socially inclusive campaigns, which in turn has opened brands up to new markets.

Stoelzle is proud to have collaborated on the design of the award-winning Whitby Gin bottle, what was your take on the story behind the bottle?

Coming from one of the most enchanting towns in the UK and creating a gin that pays tribute to the icons and heritage of the area it seemed only fitting to have a bottle that continued our story. We wanted desperately to work with a local manufacturer who was able to realise our vision for the bottle. Stoelzle did just that and more. We bonded instantly with the team and I knew right away that they understood our brand and the direction I wanted to take our bottle. Stoelzle listened, advised and then excelled expectations.

The texture of the glass reflects the rippling waves of the wild sea, crashing up the neck of the bottle like waves crashing against Whitby’s cliffs.

The cork, which is a lovely dark wood, pays tribute to the industry of shipbuilding in Whitby.

The shape of the bottle mimics the buoys you see hanging from the fishing boats in Whitby harbour.

The bottom of the bottle is shaped like an ammonite – that is, one of the fossils that you would find on the Whitby coastline. According to legend, they are serpents turned to stone by St. Hilda, the 7th-century abbess of Whitby. This story began Whitby’s legacy as a place with supernatural possibilities.

Where does your inspiration come from?

With both the North York Moors and the Yorkshire coast on our doorstep, we are lucky enough to live in a place of unrivalled natural beauty. The stark contrast between land and sea has been our greatest source of inspiration; from the botanicals we use to flavour Whitby Gin, to the packaging and design.

How is it guiding your next steps and what can fans of Whitby Gin look forward to in the coming year in terms of product launches?

We started this Whitby Distillery in a 40 square foot utility room and we are now working on a renovation project to convert two historic farm buildings in the heart of Whitby and a stones through from Whitby Abbey into our new home. The aim is to create a beautiful distillery supported by renewable energy sources to house our hand-beaten still, a tasting kitchen and an events space soaked in history with the dramatic sounds of the North Sea as a backdrop. The build is due to commence in spring and we hope to open our doors in 2023.

Aside from the distillery build, our customers can look forward to meeting new members of the Whitby Gin team.

We are also working on spirits outside of the ‘gin’ category which have a deep connection to the area so please do keep your eyes peeled.

Any words of wisdom for women aspiring to be leaders in their own careers?

Gender should not define your place within industry. Any challenges that I face I try to turn them into an opportunity. Speak out in meetings if you or a colleague is being brushed off or talked over. Call out prejudice and take responsibility to set an example to those following your lead.

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