About
Back in January 2013, Sheffield-born John Cherry started Locksley Distilling Co. Ltd from the humble beginnings of his parents’ attic.
What began as one person in a spare room has grown into a team of eight, a modern distillery complex, and award-winning innovative spirits range, all operating from a restored Grade 2* Listed Building.
History
In the hazy days of the early 2010s, the craft spirits world was yet to blossom into what it is today. After many years working across the hospitality sector in France and New York, John Cherry and Cynthia King decided to move back to Sheffield and founded Locksley Distilling as an answer to the very limited (at the time!) range of gins that were on offer in the UK.
This journey began with Sir Robin of Locksley - a re-invention of traditional gin flavours with a nod to a local Sheffield character and setting up shop in the historic Portland Works complex in Sheffield. While incredibly successful, the ‘gin-boom’ of the mid-2010s meant that the distillery couldn’t sit still.
Soon after, the Locksley range expanded to include VSOT (“Very Special Old Tom”) - a potent revival of an understated gin variation, Real Raspberry and Cardamom Sir Robin - Locksley’s response to the growing number of “pink gins” but made with 100% real fruit, and Morocello, the distillery’s first liqueur offering crafted by Cynthia as a tribute to her Italian American roots.
Locksley was quickly being recognised as a respected and innovative small-batch distillery, soon producing unique barrel-finished variations of VSOT (probably the first barrel finished navy-strength Old Tom in the world) and expanding the distillery to incorporate new production spaces, including our popular gin school.
During this transformation, Locksley Distilling developed its Co-Lab® range in 2018 - a range of spirits designed directly in collaboration with select businesses, organisations, and institutions (the ‘Co’) and using specialist distillates in the laboratory corner (the ‘Lab’) of our distillery, a.k.a. our “Flavour Lab”.
Co-Labs® have been made with everyone from top restaurants to quality craft producers to historic properties and local landmarks, but all share our ethos and love of tailor-made products.
Our ethos
We exist to inspire people to invest in alcoholic products that are real, fair, and made with integrity. By creating beautiful and delicious beverages, we aim not to be the biggest distillery, but one of the best, judged by the quality of our products and the values behind them.
Integrity and Transparency
All our products are created, produced, distilled, bottled, and packed at our own distillery. Our labelling is clear and accurate, ensuring customers are never misled about what they are buying or where it comes from. We believe honesty is fundamental to trust.
Fairness and Responsibility
We believe in Fair Trade wherever possible, ensuring growers, harvesters, and farmers are properly rewarded while minimising the exploitation of land and labour. From our inception, we have maintained close links with the UK’s organic farming movement through our suppliers. Our pricing reflects a fair share for everyone in the supply chain and is not inflated by excessive marketing or activities that do not add genuine value to the product.
Our People
We are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace. All team members are paid at least £1 above the Living Wage, with commission paid where applicable. We value the skills, care, and craft of the people behind our products and believe fair pay is fundamental to ethical business.
Environmental Sustainability
We actively work to reduce our environmental impact. Since 2020, the distillery has operated solely on renewable electricity, with no gas usage. We minimise waste by composting spent botanicals, recycling condenser water, and recycling paper, cardboard, glass, and plastic. At external events, we use recyclable paper or plant-based compostable tasting cups.
Commitment to Quality
Quality underpins every decision we make. We use only base spirits of exceptional quality, our gins, vodkas, and liqueurs are produced from 100% British-sourced wheat. Wherever possible, we select organic botanicals, not only for their superior flavour, but to reduce the use of chemicals and pollutants and to remain closer to what is natural.
Responsible Alcohol Production and Marketing
We believe alcohol should be enjoyed responsibly. We do not market our products in ways that encourage excessive or irresponsible consumption, and we are transparent about the strength and ingredients of our spirits.
Community and Local Engagement
We value the communities around us and actively support local causes. We regularly donate distillery tour vouchers to local charity fundraisers, helping community organisations raise vital funds while sharing knowledge of our craft.
Continuous Improvement
As our distillery grows, we are committed to reviewing and improving our practices. We recognise that ethical business is an ongoing process and we remain open to learning, accountability, and positive change.
Our ethical standards guide how we work, who we work with, and the products we create, ensuring that quality, fairness, and sustainability are never compromised.
Want to experience what we’re proud of for yourself? Try one of our great spirits, join us for a tour, tasting, or class, or get in touch!
