OUR STORY
Crafted in the New Forest. Driven by science, sustainability and exceptional flavour.
Where Nature Meets Innovation Across Gin, Rum & Whisky
820 Spirits began with a simple question: How do we create exceptional spirits that truly express their ingredients and their environment?
From that curiosity grew a distillery that now produces award-winning gin, a growing collection of small-batch rums, and an exciting whisky project—with our first New Forest whisky planned for release in 2028. Each spirit follows the same guiding principles: sustainable sourcing, scientific precision, and uncompromising flavour.
At our home in the New Forest, locally grown botanicals, thoughtful craft, and modern distillation techniques come together to create spirits that are fresh, expressive and unmistakably ours.
What 820 Means
The name 820 celebrates both science and family. At its core, it nods to the molecular structure of ethane—the building block of ethanol—with 8 atoms, 2 carbon atoms, and the oxygen that completes the spirit-making journey.
At the same time, 8 and 2 are long-held Simpson family lucky numbers, giving the brand a playful, personal twist.
It’s a name that blends chemistry with heritage, perfectly capturing what 820 Spirits stands for: precision, creativity, and a spirit of fun rooted in family tradition.
Gin, Rum & a New Forest Whisky in the Making
Our journey began with gin, and quickly expanded into small-batch rums crafted with the same flavour-first philosophy. Today, we’re also developing our New Forest Whisky project, with the first bottles of our English Whisky planned for 2028.
Each spirit is shaped by the same principles: local sourcing, scientific precision and bold flavour.
WHY OUR SPIRITS TASTE DIFFERENT
From gin to rum to whisky, every drop we make is guided by a science-led approach that sets us apart.
Science Meets Craft
- Vacuum distillation at cold temperatures protects delicate botanical aromatics in our gins.
- Botanical steam baskets deliver vibrant, fresh flavours from ingredients grown metres from our distillery.
- Precise cuts mean we take only the cleanest hearts of the distillation for exceptional smoothness.
- Rum fermentation experiments refine the balance between ester development and flavour clarity.
- Our whisky project focuses on grain selection, yeast varieties, the barrels and New Forest ageing conditions to develop a future English whisky with a distinct regional character.
The outcome is a portfolio of spirits that are clean, expressive and crafted for drinkers who value both flavour and provenance.
Sustainability at Our Core
We strive to be one of the UK’s most environmentally conscious producers.
- Most of our botanicals—including our juniper—are grown at a New Forest nursery just minutes from the distillery.
- Local partnerships reduce transport emissions and support regional growers.
- Low-temperature distillation reduces energy consumption.
- Waste is minimised across production.
- A focus on long-term environmental impact shapes how we grow, distil and bottle.
Every bottle is a commitment to quality without compromise—for people and for the planet.
MEET THE FOUNDERS: TOM & JONNY SIMPSON
Tom and Jonny are brothers and the founders of EIGHT TWO O Spirits
Tom – Head Distiller & Botanical Scientist
Tom’s love of distilling began at university, where a break from revising chemical engineering led to building a homemade still from two stainless-steel paint cans and copper piping. Early experiments filled the kitchen with jars of gin, vodka and botanical spirits—much to the surprise of returning parents.
After graduating with a Master’s in 2019, and upgrading to a “proper” 12-litre still, Tom toured more than 45 distilleries across the UK to learn from the best. Professional distilling roles, including at Union Distillers, polished his technical knowledge and deepened his fascination with how ingredients interact at a molecular level.
Tom now leads distillation across gin, rum and the whisky project—bringing rigour, creativity and a flavour-first philosophy to everything 820 produces.
Jonny – Strategy Director & Business Builder
Jonny’s gin journey began in Bristol at a bar offering more than 100 gins—a methodical challenge he and his housemates took seriously. When Tom handed him an early prototype gin, Jonny recognised something exceptional.
With strategic experience working across the UK and US in the Consumer Product Goods and Retail sectors, Jonny saw how Tom’s craft could become a true premium brand. He now leads business development, partnerships, strategy and growth—ensuring 820 Spirits expands with purpose and integrity.
Together, the brothers blend scientific insight with brand vision to create spirits that push boundaries while staying rooted in family and place.
Visit the Distillery
Our home at New Forest Distillery – on Shallowmead Nurseries, Lymington, sits among the botanicals that flavour our gins and the barrels shaping our developing rum and whisky projects.
A visit gives you rare access into how modern spirits are made, from laboratory precision to hands-on craft.
Craft your own gin or spiced rum, learn flavour science, and experience distillation first-hand. Or join us for a cocktail class, learning to make cocktails with the perfect balance for home
Discover our full range—including limited releases and distillery exclusives.
Plan Your Visit
Perfect for tastings, experiences, day trips and corporate events, to arrange group visits phone us on 01590479920 or email sales@820spirits.com
For Bars, Retailers & Hospitality Partners
We work with businesses that want spirits with a story—and the quality to back them up.
Our portfolio offers:
- Award-winning gins
- Small-batch rums
- A unique English whisky project (first bottles planned for 2028)
- Sustainability-led production
- Flexible collaboration and partnership opportunities
- A compelling New Forest provenance customers love
If you’re exploring premium spirits for your venue, retail space or brand partnership, we’d love to talk.
Email us at sales@820spirits.com
