Carmarthenshire – by vine, bottle and barrel

That’s the Spirit

Boutique distilleries are popping up all over Wales, and Carmarthenshire has long been leading the charge, with a number of gin, rum, vodka and whisky manufacturers creating some of the best award-winning, small batch, artisan spirits around. Fancy a day or two in the Carmarthenshire countryside enjoying a distillery tour, an exclusive tasting session, or personal gin making workshop? Then read on…

Jin Talog - Award winning botanical gin maker Jin Talog was established by two Welsh boys who moved to London, spent too long in the corporate world and returned to their roots to establish an artisanal gin brand and rear rare breed sheep. The result is a triumph with a large number of awards to their name to prove it. Tours and tasting experiences at the Jin Talog cowshed are available upon request.

Coles Distillery – The only rum producers in Wales, Coles Distillery can be found in the beautiful rural village of Llanddarog. The idea came to one of the distillers, Marcus, while holidaying in Jamaica and after some research about what went into making a quality rum and where they could source the main ingredient in rum making – molasses – Wales’ first ever home grown rum was born. You can book a tour to see the different spirits being made (they make whisky too!). They also brew beer and run the onsite pub - the thatched White Hart Inn, which dates back to 1371 - so you can stay for lunch too!

Three Oaks Distillery - Located in Capel Hendre in the Amman valley, at the foot of the Brecon Beacons mountain range, you’ll find Three Oaks Distillery, a small batch premium handcrafted spirits maker. Born out of the founder’s journey with Zoo Brew, their real ale sister company, Three Oaks launched a core range of artisan premium spirits in 2019 – including vodka and gin. Welsh grain and Carmarthenshire mountain water is used in the production of their spirits.

Vine, wine, feelin’ fine

Picture the scene. You’re immersed in rolling Welsh countryside. Surrounded by grape laden vines. Sipping on a chilled glass of Welsh white wine. Perhaps nibbling on some Welsh cheese and crackers. Life is good... Now make it happen by organising a tour of Carmarthenshire’s acclaimed vineyards that you’ll find dotted around the undulating, verdant hills.

Hebron Vineyard - Hebron Vineyard was planted by Jemma Vickers and Paul Rolt in 2010 after they moved back to Wales after 9 transformative years converting an established vineyard into an award winning non-intervention organic vineyard in Andalucia, Spain. Hebron was founded in the mineral rich foothills of the Preseli Mountains using non-interventional, regenerative viticulture methods, and in 2019 Hebron’s first releases were a rare Welsh red wine "1" and a sparking white, “Silver Linings”, were born. Several years later the vineyard is thriving and tours, tastings and tapas are available to visitors. You can even stay at Hebron in the converted on-site dairy barn.

Jabajak Vineyard, Restaurant & Rooms - Set in beautiful rolling Welsh countryside on the edge of the Bluestone Mountains and within its own vineyard, family-run Jabajak offers a ‘Restaurant with Rooms’ in a wonderfully serene and rural location. Their motto is ‘wine is at the heart of everything we do’ and this can be fully experienced via their two available tours – the Cellar Door Wine Tasting Experience and the Blind Wine Tasting Experience.

Spring Hollow Vineyard - Situated in the Teifi Valley in the rural hamlet of Cwmpengraig , Spring Hollow Vineyard is hand planted on south facing slopes with sandy soils over slate and shale providing excellent drainage. Founded by Wayne and Sally Campbell, who together have a passion for fine wine and follow both organic and biodynamic principles that aim to produce the most natural wines possible. Their Rondo red and rose, Solaris white and Sparkling Wine Brut can all be purchased from their website and guided tours and tastings offer visitors a chance to explore and learn in some of the most tranquil and picturesque surroundings.

Crafty Carmarthenshire

Craft beers, lagers, IPAs, stouts, ales.. you name it, Carmarthenshire makes it, thanks to the abundance of small but mighty microbreweries, both young and old, that you’ll find dotted around the towns and rural hills of the county. Next time you’re in Carmarthenshire, why not make it make it your mission to discover them all?

Coles Brewery - Coles beers are produced at the 13th Century White Hart Inn in Llandarrog, using the finest malted barley, whole hop cones, yeast and the purest Welsh water from 300ft below the brewery where it has filtered through the limestone rock for millions of years. The range of beers includes light golden to dark stouts, lagers and unusual beers such as beetroot, nettle, chilli and more. Visit the pub for lunch or dinner and sample the various Coles beers on offer.

Felinfoel Brewery Company – Felinfoel has been making craft ale since 1878 and were the brewery that created the world’s first craft ale in a can making them the oldest canners of craft beer in the world. As the name implies, Felinfoel brewery is situated in ‘Felinfoel’, a small village adjoining Llanelli (which in the 19th century was the world capital for tinplating, hence the introduction of the craft ale can by Felinfoel!). You’ll find Felinfoel products in supermarkets across the UK and the brewery also owns a number of pubs throughout Carmarthenshire, where you’ll find their products on tap.

Evan-Evans Brewery – Based in the market town of Llandeilo, Evan Evans Brewery has a 250 year heritage and a modern, state of the art brewing plant that looks out over the Llandeilo hills. With five brands made in-house, including Celt, Fire Island and Cwrw, the brewery is a powerhouse of Welsh craft ales.

Zoo Brew – Established in 2019 Zoo Brew is new to the Carmarthenshire craft ale scene but it’s already packing a punch, launching products including Towy Tiger, an old school amber ale; Merlin’s Own, a refreshing hoppy pale ale; and Amman Eagle, a crisp golden ale with a lime finish.

Bragdy Pererin – based near the coastal village of Llansteffan, Pererin is Carmarthenshire newest brewery, launched in 2022 from Taylor’s Tow Bar. The brewery produces just one premium beer, the Pererin Pure Pale Ale. You’ll find it on tap across the county from Inn at the Sticks to the Fox & Hounds, and available to buy in the bottle from Blasus Delicatessen and Sied Goffi.

Stockists

The delis and bottle shops you can go to find Welsh spirits, wines and craft ales.

Diod Llandeilo – Welsh wine stockists Diod, which you’ll discover in the heart of the beautiful market town of Llandeilo, is a Scandi interior dream, that also happens to serve up fabulous sandwiches, coffees and cake. Head there for your pick of Welsh wines from vineyards right across Wales, as well as an excellent selection of Welsh spirits. Diod also organises pop up evening events, including events such as sushi nights, cocktails and canapes, grazing nights and more.

Wright’s Food Emporium - Tucked away in an old village pub in Llanarthne, Wright's Food Emporium combines a high end café with a beautiful shop literally bursting at the seams with colourful and plentiful local produce, including Welsh spirits, wines and beers. Everything is so beautifully considered that you immediately want to move in. The in-house restaurant serves up gin and tonics using local Jin Talog gin, Mydflower elderflower wine (made in the Brecon Beacons) and Bluestone Beers from neighbouring Pembrokeshire.

Beer Park Llanelli – Described as being ‘for all your beery needs’, Beer Park Llanelli stocks the largest range of beer in Wales – 600 beers from 200 breweries! Wales currently has around 96 active breweries and Beer Park stocks most of them, along with a great collection from German and Belgium. They also host events on-site in their private tasting room, or you could just swing by and choose a few cans, bottles or boxes from their massive range, and go merrily on your way.

Parc y Bocs – This farm shop and café in Kidwelly is a great place to wile away a few hours over breakfast or lunch, followed by a browse of the well-stocked farm shop which sells vegetables from its own market gardens, as well as natural pet food. And of course it is also well stocked with craft ales and ciders from Wales.

Cwmcerrig – This award winning family run farm shop is a must visit while in the Llanelli area. The on-site butchers sells the meat from the family farm – their Texel lamb and Hereford beef are of the highest quality; and the delicatessen and bakery stocks products from all over Wales. You’ll also find Welsh beers, ciders and spirits in store.