In the heart of southwest Wiltshire, on the breathtaking 9,000-acre Fonthill Estate, a bold vision that began as a “mad idea” during the pandemic is now distilling a revolution in the world of premium spirits. Witchmark Distillery is not just producing exceptional gin, vodka, and whisky – it is crafting a compelling story of resilience, innovation, and integrity, one bottle at a time.
Witchmark’s origin story is as spirited as the products it now proudly produces. Conceived in October 2020 by Alistair Munro, the distillery began as a strategic response to the volatile economic climate of the early 21st century. “Whisky represented a long-term business opportunity.” Alistair recalls. “It’s an ageing stock that appreciates over time. Unlike many industries vulnerable to sudden shocks, whisky offers stability.”
Alistair and Jon Carson, who were then running a marketing agency, partnered on this ambitious project. They found the perfect setting for their vision in the Fonthill Estate – a vast swathe of English countryside with historic buildings, including a 17th-century barn that now houses Witchmark’s state-of-the-art distillery. “The landscape, the history, the architecture—it was the ideal backdrop for a brand built on storytelling and authenticity.” Alistair says.
What sets Witchmark Distillery apart is its exceptional control over every stage of production. The barley used in its spirits is grown just meters from the distillery, and the water comes from a pristine chalk aquifer directly beneath the site. This unique terroir, combined with traditional floor malting at nearby Warminster Maltings, ensures unmatched purity and quality.
Unlike most producers, Witchmark crafts its own neutral grain spirit—rather than buying from industrial suppliers—offering complete traceability and quality control. Every drop of its award-winning gin and vodka begins life as whisky spirit, distilled first through copper pot stills and then re-distilled for clarity and smoothness. This meticulous process is already garnering international recognition: in April 2025, Witchmark’s Vodka won Gold at the World Drinks Awards, and its Black Lime Gin received a Silver award.
When it came time to select a technical partner for the design and construction of their distillery, the Witchmark team knew they needed more than just a supplier—they needed a partner. Alistair Munro and Jon Carson were searching for a partner that could offer not only engineering expertise but also a genuine willingness to understand their vision and tailor a solution accordingly.
Their search led them to Frilli, part of Omnia Technologies, whose responsiveness and attention to detail stood in stark contrast to other manufacturers, many of whom offered only off-the-shelf solutions with little room for adaptation. Frilli distinguished itself through its ability to deliver bespoke engineering and a commitment to collaboration that resonated deeply with the founders’ aspirations.
Today, Witchmark Distillery features two distinct, custom-built batch systems designed by Frilli. One is dedicated to the double distillation of whisky, anchored by a 5,000-litre wash still and a 3,000-litre spirit still—both purpose-built to deliver consistency and character across every cask. The second system supports the production of gin and vodka and includes a 1,000-litre pot still paired with a 40-tray rectification column, designed to create a neutral grain spirit of exceptional clarity and smoothness.
The scope of Frilli’s supply extended well beyond stills. It provided a full turnkey solution encompassing the entire process—from fermentation through to distillation. This included energy recovery systems, a Clean-in-Place (CIP) system, complete automation, utility integration, and all the process piping required to ensure seamless operation.
A particular emphasis was placed on cost-efficiency and user-friendly automation. By investing in smart technology, Witchmark has been able to reduce operational complexity while enhancing precision and consistency throughout the production cycle.
Looking ahead, the partnership is set to continue. Witchmark plans to double the size of its distillery within the next five years, with expansion plans that include scaling operations and continuing to push the boundaries of innovation and experimentation in English spirits.
In the spring of 2025, Witchmark Distillery became the highest-scoring English distillery to receive B Corp certification, earning an impressive 124.4 points. The certification reflects Witchmark’s deep commitment to environmental sustainability, ethical governance, and social impact and marks another point of contact with Frilli and Omnia Technologies Group, that obtained the B Corp certification in 2024. “It’s about crafting great spirits with integrity,” Alistair explains. “Being a B Corp means we’re held to the highest standards—not just in how we make our products, but in how we treat people, community, and the planet.”
With global ambition and deep local roots, Witchmark Distillery is fast becoming a defining force in the new era of English whisky. It is one of the founding members of the English Whisky Guild, working toward securing Geographical Indication (GI) status for the category. “We’re not just building a distillery,” says Alistair. “We’re building a legacy. A spirit of place, of purpose, and of possibility.”