Every great story starts with a bad decision — or at least, that’s what we like to think at Turncoat.
When our journey began in Liverpool back in 2016, we weren’t supposed to be distillers at all. We came from beer. Fermentation, hops, stainless steel — the world of craft brewing. But somewhere along the way, the rules started to feel too tight. The recipes too predictable. So, we did what any self-respecting rebel would do.
We switched sides.
That’s how Turncoat was born.
A name that means betrayal to some, but to us, it meant freedom. Freedom to create spirits our way — bold, independent, and proudly made in Liverpool.
Inside the Still
The first still we ever fired up was small, loud, and probably a health hazard. It hissed, spat, and steamed like a stubborn engine refusing to start — but when it did, something incredible happened.
Juniper, citrus, and spice came alive, and so did we.
We didn’t have the fancy kit, but we had curiosity. Every batch taught us something new: how to balance heat, how to treat botanicals, how to wait — and when not to.
From those early days came the foundation for everything we do now: gins that tell a story, vodkas that refuse to blend in, and an R&D room that never stops experimenting.
The Rebellion That Never Ended
Liverpool has always been a city built on rebellion — music, trade, football, and now, spirits. We never wanted to make gin for the masses. We wanted to make gin for the people who think for themselves. The ones who appreciate the craft, the story, and the small imperfections that make it real.
That’s why every Turncoat bottle carries more than just flavour. It carries a bit of the attitude that built this city.
When you open one, you’re not just drinking gin — you’re sharing a piece of Liverpool’s spirit.
Pour Decisions, Bold Spirits
That’s what this blog is about. Inside these walls, we test ideas, refine recipes, and sometimes blow up a few along the way. Some end up in bottles, others stay in the R&D Room — but all of them tell a story.
Pour Decisions is where we share those stories: the late-night distilling sessions, the experiments that went wrong (and the ones that went oh-so-right), and the people who make Turncoat what it is.
So here’s to the rebels, the makers, and the ones who never play it safe. May your glass always be full — and your pour decisions, worth repeating.