Welcome to our distillery journal
It feels a bit strange, sitting down to write the first post for a journal. For a long time, AK Distillery has just been me, our small team, and the gentle hum of our copper pot still, 'The General'. Most of our conversations have been with customers over a market stall, or in hurried emails answering questions about our process. But so many of you ask brilliant questions, and it felt like time to create a proper space to answer them, to share a little more of the story behind what we do here in our corner of Lincolnshire.
What's this all about, then?
This journal is simply a place for us to share what running a small distillery is really like. It's not a glossy marketing brochure; it's an honest look behind the curtain. We get asked all sorts of things: 'How do you actually make it?', 'What makes it Polish moonshine?', 'Where do you get your ingredients?'. This is our place to talk about all that. It’s for anyone who's curious about the craft of distilling, the heritage behind our spirits, and the ups and downs of turning a passion for flavour into a small British business. It's the story of AK Distillery, one post at a time.
A huge part of 'why' we do this is my Polish heritage. Our spirits are inspired by 'bimber', the traditional Polish moonshine that families would often make themselves. It wasn't about creating a commercial product, but about hospitality, resourcefulness, and the craft of turning simple ingredients into something to be shared and savoured respectfully. It’s that tradition of care and quality that we try to capture in every small batch. We want to share how these old-world techniques and values are finding a new home and a new appreciation right here, as we make our moonshine in the UK.
From ingredients to glass, and everything in between
We’ll be writing about the whole process, from the ingredients arriving at the distillery door to the final spirit being bottled and labelled by hand. We’ll talk about fermentation, the magic and science of distillation, and how we develop our recipes. Making craft spirits is a constant process of learning and experimenting. We'll share our adventures in sourcing botanicals, the joy of a perfect distillation run, and maybe even the frustration of a batch that didn't quite turn out how we hoped. It’s a craft that engages all the senses, and we're looking forward to trying to put it into words.
“A customer at a market once told me our Moonshine reminded him of something his grandfather used to make. That sense of connection and tradition is exactly what we're aiming for.”
And of course, we’ll talk about enjoying the finished product. Not in a shouty way, but with a focus on flavour and appreciation. We might share a simple serving suggestion, like how a measure of Pistachio Moonshine works beautifully neat in a good glass, or how our limited variant pairs with a quality ginger ale and a slice of fresh lime. The goal is always to complement the character of the spirit, not to mask it. It's about taking a moment to notice the different notes and appreciate the work that went into the glass you're holding.
It’s not all picturesque Lancashire mornings and the romantic scent of distilling though. There are long days, endless paperwork, and the constant challenge of getting the word out when you're a tiny fish in a very big pond. We’ll share some of that side too – the reality of being a small producer. We think it's important to be honest about the graft that goes into every bottle. It makes the good moments, like a customer returning to say how much they enjoyed a bottle, feel even more worthwhile.
A space for curiosity
Mainly, we hope this journal becomes a conversation. If you have questions about our Polish moonshine, or making craft spirits in general, please ask. If there's a topic you'd like us to cover, let us know. We read every comment and email, and the thoughts and curiosity of the people who drink our spirits are what keep us going. We're a very small team, and we love feeling connected to our community. So please, don't be a stranger. We're looking forward to sharing this journey with you. Thanks for reading.
