The Spirit of Whitstable
There is something rather fitting about a coastal town producing its own gin. In places like Whitstable, where the tide sets the rhythm of the day and the air carries a faint trace of salt, flavour is never far from landscape. It was here, in the easy familiarity of a beachside pub, that an idea quietly took shape, one that has since become a recognised name in Kent’s growing craft spirits scene.
The story of Whitstable Harbour Gin begins at The Old Neptune, the much-loved pub that sits directly on the shoreline. Landlord Darren Wilton and Justine Setterfield were used to stocking an eclectic range of popular gins, yet one question surfaced repeatedly from customers: was there a local gin they could try?
Rather than searching for one, they decided to create it.
What followed was not an overnight success but a three-year process of experimentation, refinement and learning. Neither Darren nor Justine came from a distilling background, and the early stages involved a great deal of trial and error. With guidance from an experienced friend and a growing understanding of botanicals, they began shaping a flavour profile that would genuinely reflect Whitstable and its coastline.
The result, launched in 2020, was their London Dry Gin infused with sea buckthorn and samphire, two plants closely associated with the Kent coast. The combination delivers a fresh, gently savoury character with citrus brightness and a subtle saline note, unmistakably maritime without being overpowering. It is a gin that feels rooted in place.
Building on that success, a second expression followed, inspired not by the shoreline but by Kent’s orchards. Their Kentish Pink blends cherry juice with hibiscus and carefully balanced botanicals, creating a softer, lightly sweet spirit that retains structure while offering a more rounded, fruit-led profile. It has proved equally popular, broadening their appeal beyond traditional gin drinkers
Recognition soon followed. The Sea Buckthorn and Samphire expression earned a Great Taste Award along with commendation in The Gin Guide’s Coastal Gin category. The Kentish Pink was named Kent Spirit of the Year at the Taste of Kent Awards 2024 and its accolades like this, that have helped cement their reputation beyond the county.
More recently, Whitstable Harbour Gin has found a permanent home on Harbour Street. Their bijou bar and shop finished in a rich teal offers an inviting space to sample the range, whether perched at the window with a gin and tonic or selecting a bottle to take away. The branding, reminiscent of a vintage train ticket, nods to the historic Crab and Winkle railway line that once connected Whitstable and Canterbury, subtly reinforcing the local narrative woven through the brand.
Alongside the gins themselves, visitors will find a curated selection of hampers, glassware and small-batch accompaniments, reflecting the same attention to detail that defines the spirits. Production remains focused and considered, with quality firmly prioritised over scale.
Now stocked not only at The Old Neptune but in pubs and restaurants across the Southeast and further afield in places such as Brighton and Greenwich, Whitstable Harbour Gin has grown and continues to grow without losing sight of its origins.