Next in the series of video portraits celebrating the people behind the UK’s vibrant wine and spirits sector, we meet Hugh Anderson, Founder and Master Distiller at Downton Distillery.

Working from the idyllic surroundings of Wick Down on the Wiltshire Downs, Hugh crafts award-winning spirits that capture the landscape’s natural character and his own spirit of adventure.

A former officer with the Scots Guards, Hugh’s career took him across South America, the Andes, and Europe experiences that continue to shape his approach to distilling. Exploration is embedded in everything he does, and it inspired the creation of Explorer’s Gin, a spirit that celebrates curiosity and craftsmanship in equal measure.

His passion for distilling was first sparked by his Great Uncle, a brewer and distiller, and reignited years later during a gin-making course at the City of London Distillery. That moment set him on a new path one that led to the founding of Downton Distillery in 2018.

When asked what advice he’d give his younger self, Hugh reflected:

“Don’t be afraid to innovate. This industry is full of remarkable people who are generous with their knowledge and stories.

Enjoy what’s around you, experiment boldly, and never stop learning especially about marketing and social media. They’re as much a craft as distilling itself.”

To find out more about Hugh‘s gin journey listen to his interview by clicking here.