FOOD + DRINK
PROVENANCE AND PRIDE AT
COPPER RIVET DISTILLERY
BREATHING SPIRIT BACK INTO CHATHAM ’ S HISTORIC NAVAL DOCKYARD , COPPER RIVET DISTILLERY BRINGS DELICIOUS FARM-TO-GLASS SPIRITS TO THE TABLE .
In 2016 , Copper Rivet Distillery opened its doors . Located at the heart of Chatham ’ s Historic Naval Dockyard , the distillery is housed within a beautiful Victorian pumphouse . Once the largest industrial complex on the planet and arguably the Silicon Valley of its time , the Dockyard has seen the birth of HMS Victory amongst 500 other ships .
Britain ’ s hegemony of the oceans gave rise to its empire and made English the lingua franca of the world – and the internet . HMS Victory played a decisive part in this turn of history and so , therefore , did Chatham . Without being hubristic , it ’ s some of this historic greatness , of which everyone in Kent can be proud , that the founders of Copper Rivet Distillery are hoping to restore . To make Chatham a world-renowned centre of excellence in distilling . And they are well on their way .
They make the award-winning Dockyard Gin , the critically acclaimed Masthouse Whisky and already in 2017 , months after opening , Vela Vodka won a double gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition – widely regarded as the Olympics of spirits competitions .
This all happens in Pumphouse No . 5 , an impressive Industrial-Revolution-era structure which they brought back to life , brick by brick , from 30 years of dereliction . It is the perfect home for a distillery which draws on hundreds of years of naval innovation to create some of the most sought after and innovative farm-to-glass spirits .
Founders Bob , Matthew and Stephen Russell , and Abishek Banik set out to bring life back to an area which was once at the forefront of Britain ’ s naval success for hundreds of years before falling on harder times .
Offering a premium lineup of spirits , the distillery ’ s ethos is simple yet extremely important to its processes and core values . Using locally farmed grain , fruit
and specially selected botanicals , only the best ingredients have been chosen for Dockyard Gin , Vela Vodka , Son of a Gun and Masthouse Whisky . Copper Rivet Distillery highlights the importance of traceability , provenance and pride in the modern spirits industry .
Chatham Dry Dockyard Gin , along with Oak Aged Damson Gin and Kent Strawberry Gin , all continue the ethos of the distillery with local ingredients of the best quality . A carefully selected range of botanicals are infused into the spirit for a wonderful floral and citrus flavour . Juniper , orange and lemon peel , and elderflower are just a few of the botanicals infused in gin still , Janet , to create layers of luxury aromas and flavours in the gin .
Vela Vodka is perhaps the purest expression of what the distillery produces . A ridiculously smooth , neutral-grain spirit , it ’ s filtered through charcoal and diluted with Kentish water to create a spirit which is both drinkable and versatile with fruity aromas and a pink peppercorn finish .
Masthouse Whisky is making a name for itself on the English Whisky scene as both a unique and delectable range of spirits . Masthouse Single Malt Pot Distilled and Masthouse Single Malt Pot and Column Distilled are both produced using high quality locally grown barley , and with notes of crisp
green apple , ginger biscuit , toffee and more , these spirits are great sipping whiskies , and make delicious cocktails too . The unique Masthouse Grain Whisky is a fantastic blend of a trinity of grain : wheat , barley and rye . Each grain contributes a unique characteristic : malted barley gives a toasted nuttiness , wheat gives a creaminess , and rye gives a spicy finish . The same grain spirit is used in the production of cask-finished spirit , Son of the Gun , which makes a great base for rum , whisky and even gin cocktails .
Following lockdown , The Pumproom at Copper Rivet Distillery opened its doors back in April 2021 and is rapidly becoming the go-to of north and northwest Kent . They serve fantastic cocktails , small-plate casual dining and an extraordinary casual fine dining à la carte experience cleverly exploiting its relationship with one of the UK ’ s leading craft distilleries . The Pumproom is housed in an incredible space which once held the Pump House No . 5 ’ s pumps . With a gorgeous waterfront terrace with views across the River Medway and to Upnor Castle , a visit to The Pumproom is a must .
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