Southwestern Distillery

Southwestern Distillery, founded in 2012 by Tarquin Leadbetter in Cornwall, England, is celebrated as the region’s first distillery in over a century. Independently owned and family-run, the distillery is best known for Tarquin’s Cornish Gin—a handcrafted spirit that has achieved international acclaim, including the title of World’s Best Gin at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its “Seadog” Navy Gin.

Operating from Higher Trevibban Farm overlooking the rugged Cornish coast, the distillery combines traditional artisan methods with contemporary creativity. Leadbetter uses copper pot stills—affectionately named Tamara, Senara, and Tressa—that are flame-heated and sealed with bread dough for authenticity. Every bottle is individually filled, waxed, and signed by hand, underscoring the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship.

Southwestern Distillery’s portfolio extends beyond gin to include products like Tarquin’s fruit-forward seasonal gins, Cornish Pastis—the UK’s first commercially distilled pastis—and Twin Fin Spiced Rum, inspired by Caribbean flavors. Sustainability and community connection remain central to its ethos, reflecting both Cornwall’s natural heritage and the founder’s passion for creating world-class spirits from the British coast.