The Guild’s own history is intertwined with gin’s eventful past. The Gin Guild was incorporated in 2012 by the Worshipful Company of Distillers, one of London’s traditional Livery Companies, incorporated by Royal Charter in 1638.
Key Dates in the History and Renaissance of Gin
Early Origins of Gin
German distillers produce a juniper berry brandy while German housewives distil a spirit made with beer and juniper berries at home
German chemist Michael Puff von Schlick publishes a distillation manual with a juniper berry spirit
German chemist Hieronymous Brunschwig publishes distillation recipes by Puff von Shrick and others
Lauren Andrewes translates the Brunschwig book into English, titled The Vertuoseboke of Distyllacyon of the Waters and publishes it in London
After the Worshipful Company of Apothecaries of London was founded in 1617, its standards manual, published in 1618, features a distillate called Aqua Juniper ex Granis or water of juniper
The Worshipful Company of Distillers of London is formed to monitor commercial distillers. The next year, its standards manual titled The Distiller of London includes 34 recipes plus 16 variations including one called Aqua Fructum that closely resembles modern gin
Gin Takes Root in England
Parliament passes the excise act, which taxes the manufacture and sale of beer and spirits
King William of Orange and Queen Mary encourage the production of local spirits to aid grain farmers with overabundant harvests and to discourage the import of foreign wines and brandies
Increased excise taxes make beer more expensive than spirits for consumers. Conspicuous consumption and “fear of missing out” trigger illegal compounding of spirits, using molasses spirit and cheap ingredients to replicate what the rich are drinking
The “Drink Craze” grips England as the population increasing consumes more local brandy, whiskey, gin, beer, cider, and other alcoholic beverages. (often incorrectly referred to as the Gin Craze)
Parliament passes eight acts to control illegal production and sales of all alcoholic beverages, including beer and spirits
William Hogarth publishes his famous “Gin Lane” and “Beer Street” etchings, which promote beer drinking over spirits consumption
Bad grain harvests force Parliament to periodically ban ALL distillation and rectification, while it allows limited beer and ale production
Rising excise taxes, licensing of production and sales, and stricter regulation see the rise of ‘Gentleman distillers’ who can afford to distil and rectify spirits
Refinement and Respectability
The development of the continuous column still by Charles Derosne, Robert Stein, and Aeneas Coffey enables distillers to produce larder quantities of cleaner, crisper spirit
A 153-paragraph act of Parliament (6 George IV, c. 80) passed on 27 June 1825 forbids the operation of any still under 400 gallons capacity—the bill has never been repealed
The London Dry Gin style becomes one of many styles that emerge in England, marked by higher purity and botanical finesse
The first tonic water, Pitt’s Aerated Quinine Tonic Water launches in London
Pitt’s tonic water is available in British colonies including Australia and India and becomes a popular digestive aid
People arriving from India begin requesting gin and tonics in London establishments
Twentieth-Century Decline and Survival
The The impact of the First and Second World Wars
Shortages of imported grain and inflated barley prices during wartime, plus food rationing, forced changes to spirit production to use sugar beets and other materials to make spirits
Prohibition in the United States leads to the rise of poorly made “bathtub gins”
Vodka eclipses gin in popularity, and many distilleries close or consolidate
Food rations are lifted and gin is once again made with grain, with Plymouth Gin amongst the first to do so in 1961
Bombay Sapphire launches, marking a shift towards premium, design-led gin with modern appeal
The Modern Gin Renaissance
Hendrick’s Gin introduces a new wave of creativity, with cucumber and rose as signature botanicals
The EU Spirit Regulations are updated, codifying the definitions of gin, distilled gin, and London Dry Gin
Sipsmith opens in London – the first copper pot gin distillery in nearly 200 years to gain a new provisional licence for production capacity under 400 gallons, catalysing the craft gin revolution
The Gin Guild is founded, bringing together the industry to promote excellence, education, and collaboration
Global gin production and premiumisation surge, with a boom in small producers and experimental botanicals
Gin overtakes whisky as the most popular spirit in the UK off-trade by volume
Recent and Continuing Developments
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, gin maintains its position as a key growth category with producers stimulating further innovation of the category
Pal Gleed becomes Director General of the Gin Guild, following the retirement of Nicholas Cook, continuing the Guild’s mission to uphold gin’s quality and reputation worldwide
The Gin Guild welcomes its 500th member. David T Smith completes a century of gins sampled at Ginposium since 2014
The global Gin Guild community continues to evolve with over 600 members, with sustainability, authenticity, and provenance defining the next era of innovation. The Guild launches its Sustainability toolbox to support Gin distilleries enhance their green credentials in meaningful ways. The EU Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) rules that beverages marketed as “non-alcoholic gin” cannot be labelled as “gin”.
Member testimonials
The Gin Guild
The Gin Guild was established with the Worshipful Company of Distillers and the four largest gin producing companies (Bacardi, Diageo, Pernod Ricard and William Grant & Sons) to work with Gin distillers from the UK and around the world to provide leadership and focus to the promotion of this exciting spirit category.
The Gin Guild unites gin distillers, brand owners, industry leaders, and other key figures in the sector to champion excellence in gin distillation and its global promotion.
Operated by The Gin Guild Limited, a company wholly owned by the Worshipful Company of Distillers, a historic London Livery company, the Guild works to protect, promote, and invigorate the distillation of quality gin both in the UK and worldwide.
It brings together professionals across production, marketing, promotion, distribution, and consumption to foster a shared commitment to excellence and custodianship of the spirit category.
Established in 2012, the Gin Guild held its inaugural installation ceremony at The Mansion House, London, on 17 October 2012, in the presence of the Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers.
If you are involved in the production, marketing, design, retail, or promotion of gin, join the Gin Guild and make your voice heard in shaping the future of the category.
The Worshipful Company of Distillers
The Worshipful Company of Distillers is one of the historic Livery Companies of the City of London, with roots in the regulation and promotion of spirit production.
Established to uphold the highest standards in distillation, the Company blends centuries of tradition with a commitment to education, philanthropy, and excellence in the spirits industry.
Historically, the Company played a key role in controlling and regulating early gin distillers, forging a unique connection to London—the historical heart of gin.
Today, it continues to support professional development, foster innovation, and celebrate the cultural significance of distilled spirits.
Through the work of the Gin Guild, the Company provides a platform for engagement, collaboration, and a convivial forum that reflects the traditions of the City of London while supporting the category’s global growth.