Luke Wheadon, founder of the Channel Island’s Liquor Company (formally known as Wheadon’s Gin), has certainly been carrying on the family spirit quite literally, whose gin, vodka and rums can be found on Ci Coop’s shelves.

Although generations of his family have been involved in local alcohol production for more than 100 years, it was only five years ago that former chef, Luke made the step from cooking to distilling.

For Luke life is all about great flavour.  “I’m infatuated with it,” he says.  “My brain thinks in flavour – it’s like a mass of different colours in my head!”

Which might explain why – after working as a successful chef in London, followed by a stint owning and running Guernsey’s Bella Luce Hotel, Luke was tempted back to flavour and began experimenting with locally foraged ingredients and a tiny 2-litre gin distil.

Mark Taft and Luke Wheadon, Founding Directors of the Channel Islands Liquor Co.

Fast forward ten years and Wheadon’s Gin - along with a whole host of other imaginative and flavourful liquors – are available across Guernsey and Jersey in more than 200 bars and restaurants, making them the biggest producer of spirits in the Channel Islands by far.  As for Luke – he’s still at his happiest when out foraging for new ingredients to include in his products.

“Distillation is all about extracting essential oils, so I look for natural ingredients that, when they’ve been through the distilling process, taste how they smell.  There’s nothing more exciting than discovering a new ingredient, tasting it, distilling it and creating a whole new taste experience.”

Luke’s original creation – Wheadon’s Gin with rock samphire and pink grapefruit remains his favourite.  “As soon as I tasted the lovely citrus, astringent minerality of rock samphire it just woke something up in my head and pink grapefruit made a natural companion.  It’s still the gin I’m most proud of.”

The amount of duty alcohol producers have to pay was eased across the Channel Islands recently and it’s been a real game-changer for Luke, allowing him to offer a locally handcrafted product competing significantly on price against other mass-produced imports.

The new House Pour spirits are still hand crafted, but lower costs mean they can be priced more competitively, while still retaining the artisan flavours and qualities for the company is famous.

The support the Channel Islands Liquor Company has received from the Channel Islands Coop is crucial to the company’s success.  “The price wars we see in UK supermarkets makes it very difficult for producers or consumers to get the best deal.  The Coop have always supported me and it’s great to work with a company with a conscience”, he says.

Nestled on the maritime South Pier in St Helier, The Old Sail Loft Distillery is where experimental rums, signature gins, and limited editions are crafted. The space is dedicated to creativity - whether it’s aging spirits in unique casks or infusing botanicals in new ways. Luke is working on an exciting new product to meet the growing demand for low alcohol drinks.  “I’m like a mad scientist playing around with ingredients”, he laughs. “It’s a real challenge because everything I do involves alcohol and essential oils.  Most low alcohol drinks producers have to compromise on flavour but I’m pretty close to getting something on the market I can be proud of – and that’s what matters to me.”

Luke is the fifth generation of his family to be involved in creating, importing and distributing and he believes he got into distilling at exactly the right time.  “Alcohol is literally in his blood,” he says, “and I suspect there’s a lot of Wheadon’s up there looking down with a smile on their face”.

Wheadons House Pour is available to purchase in selected CI Coop stores, subject to availability.

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