OUR CRAFT DISTILLERY JOURNEY

Vic and Gary both joined the Army at an early age. Vic was 19 and Gary 17. They qualified as Telecoms engineers in the British Army’s Royal Signals regiment. They never dreamed of creating a spirits brand and a craft distillery!

They first met in Germany where they were deployed. Their chance meeting was on “Battle Camp”. Battle camp is where you went every six months to refresh your soldiering skills, such as section attacks and target practice.

They spent their formative years travelling around Europe but were eventually deployed to Bosnia as part of the peace keeping force after the conflicts there. They left the Army and settled in Wakefield where they now have two children, Olivia 24 and Noah 19, who work for the family businesses whilst pursuing their academic studies. Vic spent a good deal of time at Pinderfields hospital as a Nursing Sister whilst Gary carved out a career in I.T.

Today they run Forged Sprits, a craft distillery and The Distillery Bar.

Here’s Faz, Gary and Scouse – who joined the Army apprentice college on the same day in 1992. Gary and Faz remain lifelong friends and Faz regularly DJ’s in the Distillery Bar.

The winter picture is of Vic, who whilst in the Army was part of the British Ski Bike team. Vic went on to become the British champion! Checkout the sponsor 😉

Vic and Gary pictured together recently on holiday.

With the Army and day jobs behind them, they are now carving out their own path. Creating unique experiences in The Distillery bar, at the Forged Spirits distillery tour or at the Forged Spirits Gin school.

FORGED SPIRITS

Gary and Victoria rebranded the company in 2021 to pave the way for big changes. Their custom bottle became available to buy in January 2022, this was a self funded six figure endeavour made possible by Victoria and Gary’s hard work. The next big project was the craft distillery move to Tile Yard North at the Rutland Mills site and the opening of a bar adjoining the craft distillery, again made possible by the countless weekends spent working whilst holding down a day job. Gary and Victoria would work in excess of 70 hours most weeks and even more during the festive season.

After leaving behind their “day jobs” Victoria now runs the Distillery Bar and Gary heads up the craft distillery.

In 2023 they commissioned a 300 litre purpose built still named Katherine that will ensure their continue growth and expansion plans can be met. To round of the changes, Forged Spirits have expanded the range to include Vodka and now Rum.

Thanks to everyone for your support since their launch in 2019! they couldn’t have got where they are without you. Below is the custom artwork developed for us that forms part of the label of the new bottles. We hope you enjoy learning all about the meaning behind the artwork.