Conceived in 2014 by Cummertrees man Andrew Emmerson, Solway Spirits soon outgrew their original base, working out of Andrew and partner Kathryn Rimmer’s garage.
They moved to Annan Business Park in February, a change which saw Kathryn leave her job at Kate’s Kitchen to commit full time to the burgeoning business and extra staff also joined the ranks.
Andrew said: “We ran out of room, we couldn’t move.
“We needed something more efficient and it took six months to find the right location but we found it.”
And they credit much of their current success to a social media boom in 2017.
Their Rhubarb Crumble Gin – which is still their number one bestseller – went viral in late summer 2017, with news outlets across the globe featuring the tasty tipple.
Andrew said: “That was the turning point.”
And it was in 2017 that Andrew left his job at Queensberry Bay Caravan Park to become his own boss and first full time member of staff at Solway Spirits.
Fast forward to 2019 and the business has boomed.
Andrew said: “We have been blown away by the success, we’re having to turn work down, we’re that busy.
“Our next big goal is to move on to online sales and we certainly will need extra staff to do that – we’re an ever growing business.”
He added: “We never set out to create this – we’re obviously very glad we did – but it was a hobby, a passion to just plutter away at.
“We’re very lucky, this isn’t work, it’s a lifestyle, an enjoyment.”
Currently the company offer 21 tipples and creates bespoke creations for other businesses – such as Moffat Toffee’s gin and vodka offering – but they plan to never stop growing their selection.
Andrew said: “Our ethos is never to watch others, never to copy. We just like to experiment and see what works.
“We’re excited for the future.”
