SERVICES
Everything you need to operate your distillery
stills of any size to fit any space
Equipment design, manufacture and installation
Every project is unique and priced accordingly. Our smallest stills start from around £7k. Please contact us directly for specific detail on each still model.
We build stills that use duty paid neutral spirit as the base (removing the need for a bonded warehouse). Our brewery and distillery solutions enable spirit production from scratch.
- Our equipment manufacturers are based in the UK, Eastern Europe and China
- Every still is built to our specification & quality checked. Safety is a key priority
- Matt Servini, co-founder installs every still and delivers operational training
- All our equipment is beautiful to look at and robust
Additional services
To help you operate and look after your distillery
Operational training
We give clients as much time and support as they need to feel comfortable operating their equipment and producing their chosen spirit. Training begins ahead of installation and only stops when the client no longer needs our help. Our phones are on 7 days a week. We are happy to take calls and offer advice at any time.
Recipe Development
Matt Servini is known across the global drinks industry for his ability to develop outstanding recipes. Many are award winning. He works with clients to train them how to create their own recipes. Or he can develop a finished recipe for the client to own.
Licensing Support
Obtaining relevant licenses from HMRC and local government can be the most onerous part of setting up a distillery. We work closely with clients, to ensure they have all the relevant licenses to start production legally and that compliance procedures are in place. License support services include Compounders & Rectifiers, AWRS, WOWGR, Premises and Personal.
Health & Safety Training & Documentation
Safety is a top priority for CDB hence our stills have been installed in restrictive environments. These include airports and cruise ships. We provide a Standard Operating Procedure with every piece of equipment. We also develop bespoke risk assessments / other health and safety documentation in line with the requirements of your business.
Sales & Marketing Support
Great products don’t sell themselves. How they look is as important as how they taste. CDB can support on all elements of the marketing mix including label design, packaging suppliers, ecommerce websites, social media, PR and advertising. We’re proud to have worked with clients on multi-award winning spirits in a number of categories and countries.
Consultancy
We are happy to work with individuals and businesses on a project basis. All our consultancy services can be purchased in isolation, at a set project fee or on a day rate. If you need any support in relation to making your own spirits, we would be delighted to talk to you.
thinking about starting a distillery?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in your turnkey distillery service?
A complete solution: bespoke equipment design, build and installation; founder-led operational training; recipe development; licensing and regulatory support; health & safety documentation (SOPs and risk assessments); and sales & marketing support for your new spirit brand.
Do you provide training on how to distil?
Yes. Co-founder Matt Servini delivers hands-on training that begins before installation and continues for as long as you need it, covering the technical art of distilling, safety and day-to-day operation.
Can you help me develop my own spirit recipe?
Yes. We help clients formulate unique recipes, limited editions and alcohol-free alternatives. Matt Servini is known across the global drinks industry for developing outstanding recipes.
What kinds of spirits can you help me produce?
Gin, rum, whisky, vodka and non-alcoholic spirits, as well as essential oils for producers using hydro, solvent or steam distillation.
What support do I get after installation?
Ongoing operational support, plus commercial advice on branding, label design, packaging suppliers, and help with recipe modifications and development.
Do you provide health & safety documentation?
Yes. We produce custom Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments — essential given our experience installing stills in highly restrictive environments.
Does all distilling equipment need to be ATEX certified?
No — only equipment within a hazardous zone needs to be ATEX certified. It is feasible to design a still with no electrical components inside the hazard zone, so none of the electrical equipment needs to be ATEX certified. That means an ATEX-certified electrician is not required to fit it, which makes the equipment considerably cheaper.
Does all equipment need to be UKEX (UK Ex) certified?
No — only equipment within a hazardous zone needs to be certified. It is feasible to design equipment so that there are no electrical components within a hazard zone, and therefore none of the electrical equipment needs to be certified.
Should I use a contract distiller or set up my own distillery?
The drinks press and some retailers can be very snooty about brands that do not produce their own products. If protecting your recipe and brand matters, owning your own setup is the stronger long-term route. Using a contract distiller can be a quick way to test a product, but you are typically reliant on their facility, and your recipe sits in someone else’s hands. We help founders develop their own spirit recipe and bring production in-house, so the intellectual property, quality control and margin all stay with you.
How do I protect my intellectual property if I use a contract distiller?
To start with, you can’t actually patent a recipe or product formula: they are treated as trade secrets instead. This means you should never share your recipes without a solid non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in place. If someone steals your recipe, you will need to demonstrate that you took reasonable steps to keep it confidential and provide documentation of any NDAs you signed when sharing it with others. It is also vital that you don’t use a third-party contract distiller’s stock recipe. If you do, you’ll find it incredibly difficult to switch to a different distiller and take that recipe with you. It is always best to fully develop and finalise your recipes before approaching a contract packer, ensuring your intellectual property is properly protected.
