OUR HISTORY

The Chelsea Distillery, located on Cale street, opens under control of the Taylor family. This would go on to become the first home of Beefeater Gin.

James Burrough, the man who purchased the distillery in 1863 that would go on to become the first home of Beefeater gin is born in Devon.

He fashions a career as a pharmacist, which leads him to Toronto, Canada.

Burrough returns to London and purchases the Chelsea distillery for £400. He produces liqueurs, fruit gins and punches. He counts the prestigious Fortnum & Mason amongst his customers.

The Chelsea Distillery, located on Cale street, opens under control of the Taylor family. This would go on to become the first home of Beefeater Gin.

Beefeater production moves to Hutton Road in Lambeth. The distillery is named after its forerunner, Cale Street, to help retain its heritage, while production is increased due to the purchase of the latest distilling equipment.

On the search for more space to keep up with demand, Beefeater moves to its present home in Kennington, a site once occupied by the Haywards Military Pickle Factory.

Beefeater accounts for three out of every four bottles of gin imported into the US and in 1963 was the only gin selected to be on board the maiden voyage of the QEII to New York.

Beefeater leaves the Burroughs family after almost 100 years, and is sold to Whitbread.

Desmond Payne joins Beefeater

Beefeater Dry Gin is acquired by Pernod Ricard and a programme of reinvestment in the brand begins.

The launch of Beefeater 24, in his new role as Master Distiller Desmond Payne contributes to the Beefeater legacy.

Using James Burrough’s original Still No. 12, with a capacity of only 268 litres, the exclusive cask-rested ‘Beefeater Burrough’s Reserve’ is launched.

Inspired by the botanical garden in Chelsea Physic Gardens in the heart of london Desmond Payne crafts a herbal expression of Beefeater London Dry.

Desmond Payne was recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list, he was made a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the UK gin industry – an honour which marks the pinnacle of his Golden Jubilee year.