Dorset hotelier creates award-winning gin

29 June 2016 by
Dorset hotelier creates award-winning gin

A Dorset hotelier who created an artisan gin that has been named one of the best in the world intends to continue his day job.

Lukasz Dwornik, general manager at the Christchurch Harbour hotel, and Martin Jennings, former wine development specialist at Matthew Clark, came up with the formula for the premium Pothecary gin after becoming dissatisfied with the G&Ts they were served in their local pub.

After 18 months of development work, based in Jennings' spare bedroom in Bournemouth, the pair came up with the recipe that won a double gold award at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition.

"Our success took us completely by surprise," Dwornik told The Caterer. "We entered the competition simply to introduce our gin to the market and find out how it would be received."

Dwornik said that Pothecary is now available in around 40 hotels and restaurants in Dorset and Hampshire, including Chewton Glen, the Pig group of hotels and Rick Stein in Sandbanks, and 10 retail outlets. Its international success has created growing interest, with numerous inquiries being received daily.

As a result, Jennings is now working full time for Soapbox Spirits, the company set up to produce Pothecary and new manufacturing premises are now being sought in the Christchurch area. However, Dwornik, who has worked for Harbour Hotel Group - the owner of Christchurch Harbour hotel - for four years, said he would remain in hotel management.

"I am passionate about hospitality, and having studied at Lausanne, I don't intended to give up what I'm doing," he explained.

Portobello Road Gin founders plan London hotel, pub and distillery >>

New gin distillery and bar to open in Gatwick airport >>

Harbour Hotels announces three new properties >>

Looking for a job? See all the current hotel vacancies available with The CatererFONT >>

Latest video from The Caterer

The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking