A NEW distillery is opening this month at Avonside in Melksham, distilling a selection of gin, rum and whisky.
Ten Hides Distillery has been set up by local man Andrew Wilson and will be open to the public for the first time on Saturday 17th June with a chance for people to look around, meet the team, hear about their plans for the future and try a sample!
“Avonside is the perfect space for our distillery,” said Andrew who has been planning and setting up the distillery for the past three years. “Melksham is a great place; it’s the fastest growing town in Wiltshire, I think it’s often overlooked. We really like the industrial-chic feel of Avonside and the fact it’s down by the river.
Keeping things local is a key aspect to the distillery’s identity. “Wiltshire grows some of the best barley in the country which is then malted at Warminster Maltings (one of the few remaining hand maltsters in the country) but it’s taken out of the county to the big brewers and distillers,” said Andrew. “We want to keep it in the county and keep things local.
Double award-winning gin
“The distillery is opening its doors to the public on the 17th June. It’s a chance to sample our double award-winning gin inspired by the rare chalk grasslands of Salisbury Plain and a delicious spiced rum. People can also hear about our long-term plan to make whisky using the great local barley grown in Wiltshire, though it will take a few years to mature. We’re playing the long game with whisky; it will be ready by 2026!
“So why not come and relax at our open day with a crisp G&T or spiced rum and ginger ale (other drinks and softies will be available to), pick up a bottle, listen to some of the tunes from the DJ and try some amazing food provided by The Street Taverna who will be serving up delicious gyros packed full of succulent marinated meat or halloumi plus sides and lashings of handmade sources. What better way to spend an afternoon in Melksham!”
Like the whisky, the distillery’s name is also inspired by the local area. ‘Ten Hides’, was an old English measurement of land in Wiltshire,” explained Andrew. “A ‘hide’ once referred to a certain area of land, but later also demonstrated how much produce was being gathered on a particular plot.”
Andrew has a military background with a strong connection to Salisbury Plain, where he spent time serving in the British Infantry, travelling to Afghanistan, Iraq, Ireland and Germany before leaving in 2012. He said, “After I left the army, I worked in Aberdeen in oil and gas. I developed an interest in whisky, gin and all things distilling and when we came back to Wiltshire, we decided to set up the distillery.”
Master distiller
With the help of their master distiller (Jack Mayo, who has set up whisky and gin distilleries around the world), the company have so far created a double award-winning gin, and before Christmas last year developed their spiced rum. Andrew said, “The gin is smooth and easy to drink and is nice to have by itself. My wife likes it and that must mean it’s good!”
Andrew plans to hold tours and tastings and a gin/rum school. There will also be the opportunity for people to buy a barrel of whiskey which will mature over the years. There may also be the chance for people to use the distillery space for events. Andrew said, “We are open to people using the space and have already been booked by a local dinner club.”
- The open day is on Saturday 17th June, 12 noon to 6pm. For more information visit Event-brite https://www.eventbrite. co.uk/o/andrew-wilson-65457012993
To keep up to date with the distillery, purchase products and for more information visit the website, https://www.tenhides.com/
