A NEW eco-distillery has opened its doors in Kendal.

Mike Pennington and the team behind Pennington’s Spirits & Liqueurs have completed the move to their new distillery in Millennium House at Kendal Fell Business Park.

The business started out in Burgundy’s Wine Bar where Mike developed and made the original Kendal Mint Cake Liqueur. He sold it for decades behind the bar before hanging up his apron to focus full-time on the spirits business back in 2018.

Mike took the decision to move as the business had 'outgrown' their original distillery.

He said: "When the opportunity arose to move to bigger premises within the Lake District National Park, it was too good to miss out on.

"Having installed over 70 solar panels at the site earlier this year, the business is able to generate enough electricity to completely power the site during the summer months. 

"The investment in solar energy will keep our running costs down and reduce the carbon footprint of each bottle."

The distillery has invested in a new electric 150-litre copper still, which is being used to create their range of award-winning Lakeland Moon spirits.

Penningtons are opening their doors for visitors to come and shop directly from the distillery as well as tours and gin tasting evenings in the bar in the New Year.

The first new gin distilled at the site had just been released. Lakeland Moon Ramblers Gin, made with Calabrian bergamot and Sicilian mandarin peels, as well as locally foraged ingredients including juniper berries, you can already find it behind the bar at 5 O’Clock Somewhere.

Tim Brownhill, business development manager at Pennington's, said: "Being situated at the base of Scout Scar, we’re surrounded by the beautiful rolling hills that we forage for many of our botanicals on.

"It was great in summer to sit outside and enjoy a G&T in the peaceful surroundings and we’re looking forward to inviting customers up to do the same next year."

Visitors to the distillery can enjoy 10 per cent discount off Ramblers Gin until Christmas.