Lancaster Spirits Co. Appoints Craig Drake as Distillery Manager

Lancaster Spirits Co. (LSCo), the artisanal independent distillery founded in 2022, has announced the appointment of Craig Drake as its new Distillery Manager, marking a significant step forward as the company progresses towards the launch of its first single malt whisky in 2027.

Located on the fringes of the ancient Forest of Bowland, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and just outside the historic city of Lancaster, LSCo operates as a grain-to-glass distillery alongside the multi-award-winning Lancaster Brewery. The distillery produces premium, small-batch gin and vodka, alongside its developing single malt whisky programme.

Craig Drake joins LSCo with extensive experience in premium spirits production, bringing a strong track record in quality control, innovation, and end-to-end distilling operations. His expertise spans fermentation, distillation, and cask management, as well as the operation of specialised stills across large-scale distilleries.

In his new role, Drake will oversee the production of all spirits at LSCo, ensuring the highest standards are maintained across its distinctive and highly hands-on processes.

LSCo takes a uniquely meticulous approach to spirit production, including the rare practice of creating its own neutral grain spirit from scratch by distilling beer. Following 27 experimental brews, the team refined a process that underpins the provenance and character of every spirit produced.

Each batch takes approximately five weeks to produce, beginning with water sourced from the company’s own 80-metre-deep artesian well, naturally filtered through slate and limestone. Carefully selected wheat and rye from across England are combined with traditional mashing techniques and fermented using Lancaster Brewery’s 200-year-old live yeast strain, delivering complex and distinctive flavour profiles.

Production remains entirely manual, with no automation in the brewery or stillroom. Barley is milled fresh daily, mash is turned by hand, and every batch undergoes rigorous organoleptic testing — assessing flavour, aroma, appearance, and mouthfeel — before release.

Drake commented on his journey into distilling: “I came into the distilling industry by way of a happy accident. After university, I took on agency work at Adnams Brewery, initially de-shiving casks. Soon after, I was helping commission the Copper House Distillery, where I progressed from cleaning stills to producing gin.”

During his nine years at Adnams, Drake contributed to award-winning spirits including Copper House Gin and Longshore Vodka, both recognised by the IWSC. He later held roles at distilleries in Essex, Bankhall Distillery in Blackpool and Cumbria, and G&J Distillers under Quintessential Brands.

Reflecting on his new role, Drake added: “I’m really looking forward to being part of Lancaster Spirits Company at such an exciting stage, and to working alongside one of the world’s leading single malt whisky experts, Max McFarlane.”

Max McFarlane plays a central role in shaping LSCo’s whisky programme, leading its long-term maturation strategy and developing future expressions that define the distillery’s identity.

Christopher Pateman, Commercial Manager at LSCo, said: “I’m really pleased Craig has joined the team at this point as we progress towards the release of our first single malt in 2027. This is a rare opportunity, and one he has fully embraced, to be part of our story from the very beginning.”

Alongside its single malt ambitions, Lancaster Spirits Co. continues to produce a range of multi-award-winning gins and vodkas, reinforcing its reputation for craftsmanship, quality, and innovation.

To explore LSCo’s spirits, or book a distillery tour, visit Lancaster Spirits Website