Shed 1 Gin

From Garden Shed to The Old Calf Shed, Cumbria’s award-winning micro distillery continues to develop and grow.

Andy and Zoe Arnold-Bennett met in South Korea when he was touring with Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and she was just completing her 7^th year working in Asia. When she returned, they moved to Ulverston, Cumbria, where Shed 1 Distillery was born.

Andy explains, “Zoe had been making sloe and bramble gins and I started getting more interested in the process. That led to a lot of research and experimenting. The next question was where we could set up a still.”

There are two sheds in the Arnold-Bennett garden, and it was the 7x7 foot Shed 1 where the distillery was launched. Using a 25 litre still they created their first gin, Cuckold’s Revenge, in 2016.

Cuckold’s Revenge is named after the cuckolded Master Ford in Merry Wives, which Andy was touring with Northern Broadsides. In 2017 it received a Great Taste Award and the judges commented: An interesting and beguiling blend of aromatics, soft and mysterious, delivering layers of citrus and spice with a lovely warming finish. Cuckold’s is also featured in the latest edition of “101 Gins to Try Before You Die,” and was Highly Commended in the CrafDi of the Year Awards (2019/20).

“From Fancy Frolic to Giggle in the Ginnel each of our six classically distilled gins and two traditional strength gin elixirs has its own story,” Zoe continues, “Sustainability is key and we’ve put many initiatives in place, including using locally grown ingredients where possible. This led us to winning the Gin Guide’s Environmental Sustainability Award, 2020.”

In 2019 they moved to The Old Calf Shed and started Cumbria’s only Make Your Own Gin Experiences and during lockdown they created a MYO Bathtub Gin to enjoy at home. Shed 1 is also a finalist in the Rural Business Awards, Best Drinks Producer.