News / Drink

First spirit released from new Bristol distillery

By Bristol24/7  Monday Mar 18, 2019

The first bottle release from a new Bristol distillery in Whitehall is a New World-style grain spirit that has been distilled using the same process that in less than three years will see the first whisky being made in the city for a generation.

Circumstantial Barley is made by Circumstance in the Whitehall Trading Estate on Gerrish Avenue; the sister distillery to Psychopomp on St Michael’s Hill in Kingsdown.

Made from 100 per cent malted British barley fermented for 13 days on a bed of French saison yeast and distillers yeast, the liquid was distilled through a whisky hood and a four-plate column before ageing for six months on a combination of charred oak spindles and bourbon casks.

Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
Keep our city's journalism independent. Become a supporter member today.

The Circumstance team, from left to right: co-founder Liam Hirt, head distiller Mark Scott and co-founder Danny Walker

“This first release is quite a milestone,” said Circumstance co-founder Danny Walker. “We have thrown out the rule book and are focusing on flavour over tradition, and experimenting with every step of the process to make a New World-style spirit.”

Danny says that the result is a vibrant spirit: malty with notes of green spice, stone fruit, citrus and umami.

Circumstance will put a unique code on the front of each of their bottle that corresponds to the techniques used in each liquids’ productions, with all the codes and the techniques listed on their website.

The team are currently working on some big ryes and what Danny calls “an unashamedly funky white rum”.

Co-founder Liam Hirt added: “We are taking inspiration from early beer fermentation and traditional wine maturation right through to modern American craft distillation to create something completely unique.”

Read more: Bristol to get first new whisky distillery in a generation

Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
I want to receive (tick as many as you want):
I'm interested in (for future reference):
Marketing Permissions

Bristol24/7 will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

We will only use your information in accordance with our privacy policy, which can be viewed here - www.bristol247.com/privacy-policy/ - you can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at [email protected]. We will treat your information with respect.


We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Related articles

You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Join the Better
Business initiative
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
* prices do not include VAT
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Enjoy delicious local
exclusive deals
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Wake up to the latest
Get the breaking news, events and culture in your inbox every morning

Are you sure you want to downgrade?

You will lose some benefits you currently enjoy.
Benefits you will lose: