Find Out More About Hooting Owl’s

History

ARTISAN DISTILLERY

The original Hooting Owl Distillery was launched at the end of 2017 whereby we embarked upon a period of product development and fine tuning. By mid 2018 we were in production of our award winning spirits, and won our first Great Taste Award in 2019.

We take our inspiration from the history, the military, the flora & fauna, the art and flavours from around the Yorkshire region to create a top-quality range of hand-crafted, small batch spirits. In early 2024 the distillery moved to within the city walls of York, to become the first licensed distillery inside the bar walls, the only distillery currently in the city.

We are an artisan distillery producing London Dry Gins, Fruit Gins, Premium Vodka, Quality Rums and soon to be launching two new products, a York Gin based on the history of our great city, and our take on Bourbon – The Corny Owl.

The capacity of our new distillery is circa 1,000 bottles of distilled spirit per day with multiple distillation runs from our 9 small batch stills. We do not operate to capacity as we hand-craft our products in order to guarantee quality and consistency.

Our distillery is open to the public from Midday, 7 days a week you can relax in our lounge and watch the distillery in action.

Timeline

1720

A MAnor Born

It is around this time that Barmby Moor House was constructed in the picturesque village of Barmby, a village celebrated for its scenic beauty and tranquil atmosphere, positioned near the historic city of York.

The original owner and occupant of Barmby Moor House also ran an Inn on the main road south of the village, establishing the centuries-old connection to the brewing and distilling of fine beverages!

1863

Sir Owlfred Tyton Takes Residence

It is believed that Sir Owlfred Tyton took residence in Barmby Moor House sometime during the year of 1863.

As a prominent local businessman and agriculture industrialist, he likely chose the location due to it’s recently established railway station connecting York and Beverley, where Sir Owlfred is understood to have been a member of various craftsman guilds and conducted most of his business.

1865

The Hooting Owl

In addition to his successful business interests in the fast-developing industry of mechanised farming practices and his role as a leading figure in several of the agricultural craftsmen and merchant guilds in the area, Sir Owlfred was perfecting his own craft… that of the distilling of spirits.

1867

The Taste of Yorkshire

Excerpts from a diary believed to be that of Sir Owlfred himself and, only recovered many years later, described how the writer used new (at the time!) techniques developed during this golden age of industrial development to perfect the art of distilling spirits.

This is where we hear of the first reference made to the use of regional botanical blends to develop distinct flavours.

2016

A New Breath Of Life

Fast-forward over 100 years and we see a new inhabitant of Barmby Moor House -Dominic, the Founder of the modern-day Hooting Owl Distillery.

Dom acquired Barmby Moor House and embarked upon an extensive restoration of the historic property. Little did he know at the time that this would lead to the resurrection of the curious, whimsical story of The Hooting Owl Distillery and the legend of Sir Owlfred,

2017

A Distillery Discovery

As Dom’s refurbishment work continues, he’s moves to the next stage and begins work in the old scullery. It is here that he stumbled across an intriguing, concealed floor safe which had belonged to a former resident of Barmby Moor House -Sir Owlfred Tyton Hodgins.

Hiding within was a single bottle of Sir Owlfred’s Hooting Owl Signature Gin and an old book containing many of his secret recipes. This extraordinary discovery was the catalyst for a new, exciting chapter in the Hooting Owl story. Dom, as Sir Owlfred had done before him, set out on a journey to resurrect the Hooting Owl Distillery.

2019

The Next Chapter

Having re-established an artisan distillery within the grounds of Barmby Moor House -seemingly fulfilling the inherent destiny of this wonderful property, Dom drew inspiration from all four corners of Yorkshire to lovingly distil a range of high quality artisan spirits in the very location it was thought to have begun all those years ago.

Following a dedicated period of product development, 2019 saw The Hooting Owl Distillery secure it’s first Great Taste Award. Many such awards have followed across the range, inspiring the next phase of growth for the brand.

Today

Master Distillery In The Centre Of York

The inspiration instilled in Dom from the writings of Sir Owlfred has led to an unwavering passion to continue in the production of great tasing premium flavoured spirits.

This has led to the continued growth of the brand and, in 2024, the distillery was re-located to a new and enchanting lounge bar, nestled within the walls of the historic city of York -becoming the first (and currently, only) licensed distillery inside the bar walls.

Want To Learn More?

Our large capacity distillery is fully operational within our lounge bar in the centre of the historic city of York.

We invite you along -whether it’s experiencing our great range of Hooting Owl spirits, to dine on the delicious food we offer to compliment our artisan spirits, or to take an exciting tour of our working distillery,

Click the link below to make a booking.

book a tour

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