Devon is one step closer to tasting its first ever whisky thanks to generous cash donations through a crowdfunding website.
Dartmoor Whisky Distillery has exceeded its Kickstarter goal by over £5,000 at the time of writing and there are over 360 backers so far. Pledges have come from around the world from as far afield as Germany, Hungary, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, and Croatia.
Kickstarter is a highly effective online crowdfunding forum. It allows all kinds of people from all backgrounds with a creative or innovative spirit to gain the financial backing they need to get their project off the ground. The website gives people the opportunity to make a financial pledge towards projects in return for a reward, which could be anything from having your name confirmed as a founder of a product or service to tickets to see the launch of an event or product.
The home for Dartmoor Whisky Distillery will be in the Old Town Hall in Bovey Tracey and it won’t be long before it will be on sale.
Speaking on behalf of the project, one of the co-founders Greg Millar expressed his delight at the support it had received. He commented: “We have been overwhelmed with everybody’s support, both locally and from around the world. Thanks to everybody who reached into their pockets to support us and be part of Devon’s first whisky distillery.”
The funding in place will help the Dartmoor Whisky Distillery to get the equipment they need. They will be able to look at installing the copper still they need to begin distilling with hopes that the process will begin as soon as this autumn. The founders hope to produce as many as 100 barrels a year which equals approximately 50,000 bottles. The first release should be available to the public by 2019.
With an exclusive and boutique feel Dartmoor Whisky will be sold on their own online shop as well as in their visitor centre. Each bottle of Dartmoor Whisky will be made using the purest Dartmoor spring water and local Dartmoor malted barley.
Dartmoor Whisky Distillery hopes to attract around 30,000 people each year to come for distillery tours and enjoy whisky tastings. There are also plans to create a bistro, bar and retail area, where visitors can relax, dine and enjoy a drink with the opportunity to buy some local produce.
The founders are hoping that having a whisky distillery located on the moors will help to boost the economic fortunes of Dartmoor. It will both create jobs and bring more people into the area.
As well as whisky the Dartmoor Whisky Distillery are planning to create further spirit lines including their own Dartmoor Gin and exclusive cream and fruit liqueurs.
