The Art of Distilling, Uncompromised

made not mixed

Celebrating the the true champions of craft spirits

What We Celebrate

The “Made Not Mixed” campaign celebrates and recognises premium spirits crafted with authenticity and dedication to the traditional approach to distilling.

In an era where mass production often overshadows craftsmanship, the campaign seeks to shine a light on distillers & brands who prioritise quality and dedication to the craft, over cost or convenience.

By creating spirits from raw ingredients versus using pre-made mass produced neutral spirits, these champions are keeping the tradition of distilling alive and producing truly unique products.

Authenticity

There’s been some great progress in making spirit production more transparent in recent years, like letting people know where ingredients come from or where certain parts of the process happen. This helps us feel more connected to what we’re drinking, which is a good thing!

But we think there’s room for even more clarity. There is one thing that brands often still keep shrouded in secrecy – how their alcohol is actually made.

For example, if the base of your favourite spirit is actually produced in London, or often even Europe, but is flavoured and finished in your town, does that really make it local? – it’s something worth thinking about.

We are not saying that brands who buy pre-made bases to work with is a bad thing, everything has its place, but we want them to be more transparent about the origins of their product so that consumers can make fully informed decisions.

For some, what may be important to them is where the product is finished, but for a many more it is where it started that really counts. For those seeking truly authentic spirits, we want to shine a light on those distilleries and products that fit the bill.

True Craftmanship

We believe crafting a spirit truly from scratch matters, and those that do so rightly deserve recognition.

Flavour Complexity: Starting with raw ingredients allows for greater control over the entire production process, resulting in a more complex and nuanced flavour profile. This depth of taste can’t be replicated with pre-made bases, making scratch-made spirits stand out in a crowded market.

Preserving Tradition: The tradition of distillation is steeped in history and craftsmanship. By making spirits from raw materials, distillers continue this legacy, preserving age-old techniques and skills that are at risk of being lost in an era of cost-cutting.

Cost and Time: This process is far more time-consuming and less cost-efficient than using a pre-made base. However, these challenges are precisely why it’s so special. We believe those who choose this path for their products are dedicated to the craft, and their efforts deserve recognition.

How to get involved

Help us spread the word using the hashtag #madenotmixed on Instagram and Facebook

Then, if you are a distiller, or brand, why not apply for accreditation?

You’ll receive a personalised badge showing your product’s name which you are free to use in your digital or printed literature. You just need to ensure you meet our campaigns criteria first.

Crafted from Scratch: Your base spirit should be unique, made from raw ingredients, to a bespoke recipe that is tailored specifically for your product.

Exclusive to You: Your base must only be for use by your brand or product, so using widely available bases won’t qualify.

Clear Documentation: You’ll need to keep records of your production process to show that you meet the accreditation standards. Don’t worry, we’ll let you know what we need from you.

If this sounds like you, join our campaign, get accredited and be proud to use our logo and that your spirit truly is one-of-a-kind!