Salcombe Distilling Co. reports strong 2025 growth and sets its sights on tripling its size over the next five years

Distilling their multi-award-winning Salcombe Gin, Salcombe Rum and New London Light on the waterfront of Salcombe, Salcombe Distilling Co. has reported 10% year-on-year growth, significantly outperforming a drinks and hospitality sector facing widespread decline.

The Devon-based distillery has maintained strong momentum despite challenging market conditions, driven by disciplined brand positioning, strategic partnerships and international expansion.  This has resulted in particularly strong growth in travel retail up 40% and in the on-trade wholesale channel which is up 25%. The business has now set its sights on tripling its size over the next five years.

Howard Davies, Co-Founder and Director of Salcombe Distilling Co., comments: “In a market where premium drinks brands are facing real pressure, we’ve remained clear on who we are and where we fit. Our growth reflects not only the strength of our coastal luxury positioning, but the loyalty of partners and consumers who believe in what we’re building”.  

One of the only gin distilleries in the world directly accessible by boat, Salcombe Distilling Co. draws deep inspiration from the town’s rich shipbuilding heritage. That authentic sense of place continues to resonate strongly both in the UK and overseas.

Growth has been accelerated by a 40% uplift in Travel Retail, with the distillery now listed in over 26 duty free stores across 16 UK airports, alongside onboard listings on over 10  cruise ships and cross-channel ferries with leading operators P&O Cruises, P&O Ferries and Brittany Ferries. 

Angus Lugsdin, Co-Founder and Director of Salcombe Distilling Co.,  comments: “Travel retail feels like a natural fit for us. We were born on the waterfront, so partnering with leading cruise, ferry and travel operators allows us to bring that coastal story to travellers in an authentic and meaningful way”.

A further 25% uplift has been achieved in the domestic on-trade wholesale channel, reflecting a deliberate strategy of partnership-led expansion. By developing joint business plans and aligned performance targets with operators and distributors servicing the on-trade, Salcombe Distilling Co. has created highly motivated, long-term relationships delivering sustained results.

Handcrafting multi-award-winning Salcombe Gin alongside Salcombe Rum and its family of non-alcoholic spirits, New London Light, the distillery’s coastal luxury proposition is gaining traction internationally. Salcombe Gin is distributed across multiple US states on both the East and West Coasts, while New London Light is available nationally in North America via Amazon.

Howard explains: “With 78% of no and low consumers also drinking alcohol, the complementary dynamic between Salcombe Gin and New London Light is driving incremental growth across both categories. We see them as working hand-in-hand rather than competing.”

Further export success has followed in Asia, including a recent launch at the prestigious Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, with future expansion planned into other premium coastal cities where demand for luxury British goods remains strong.

Innovation continues to underpin the company’s growth, most recently through the introduction of new 5cl aluminium miniature bottles made from 100% post-consumer recycled aluminium. As the lowest-impact spirit miniatures currently available, they offer significant sustainability benefits through reduced weight and a far lower carbon footprint compared to traditional glass.  The format has already secured listings with Virgin Wines, P&O Cruises and Great Western Railway (GWR).

Angus adds: “Luxury today has to be responsible. Our aluminium miniatures allow us to maintain premium quality while reducing environmental impact, particularly in travel environments where weight and recyclability are extremely important. It’s a meaningful step forward for the category.”

Salcombe Distilling Co. was founded by Angus Lugsdin and Howard Davies, who first met in the 1990s teaching sailing in Salcombe. After long days on the water, they would head to the yacht club bar overlooking the estuary to enjoy a Gin & Tonic as the sun set, it was there their shared passion for fine spirits and love of the town was forged.

Recognising the opportunity within artisan spirits and driven by a desire to create a world-class product in a place they loved, they formed Salcombe Distilling Co. in 2014. In 2016, Salcombe Gin ‘Start Point’ launched alongside completion of the waterfront distillery.

Since then, the range has expanded to include expressions such as Mediterranean-inspired Salcombe Gin ‘Rosé Sainte Marie’ and ‘Four Seas’ by Salcombe Gin, all united by an uncompromising approach to quality, from carefully selected botanicals to meticulous distillation processes.

“Salcombe Gin has always been about adventure and craftsmanship. We wanted to create spirits that are world-class and unmistakably coastal”, says Howard.Since launch, the world-class spirits have gone on to gain a number of prestige listings including Fortnum & Mason, where it is the best performing independent gin brand and has seven SKUs listed, as well as Selfridges and a national listing with John Lewis & Partners.As Salcombe Distilling Co. builds on its travel retail momentum, prestige domestic listings and expansion into export markets, its ambition remains firmly focused, with Angus adding: “Our ambition is clear, to become the world’s number one coastal luxury spirits brand. We will continue to grow thoughtfully, protect our premium positioning and expand internationally across both alcoholic and non-alcoholic categories.”For further information about Salcombe Gin, visit www.salcombegin.com, follow Salcombe Gin on Instagram and Facebook.