Independent Cornish distillery and hospitality business Pocketful of Stones will celebrate its 10th anniversary this September with a month of special events across its Cornwall venues. A limited-edition Caspyn Gin will also be released to mark the occasion as a nod to the brand’s flagship and much-loved small-batch Cornish dry gin.
Over the past decade, Pocketful of Stones has sold over half a million bottles and hosted over 20,000 visitors for tastings across its three venues, while exporting its spirits to countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Hungary.
Founded in 2016, Pocketful of Stones has grown from a small-batch gin producer into an award-winning distillery and recognised name in the South West’s food and drink scene. Based in West Cornwall, it creates 23 handcrafted products across eight spirit categories including Dr Squid Gin, Hell’s Stone Whisky, King of Prussia Spiced Rum and Morveren Absinthe. Each bottle is inspired by Cornish folklore and the rugged natural landscape surrounding the distillery in West Cornwall.
In 2022, the team opened a bar in Penzance, followed by a shop in Falmouth in 2024. Then, in February 2026, Pocketful of Stones took on the much-loved Red Lion pub in Newlyn. Now employing 30 people across its venues, the business has grown around a shared love of Cornish ingredients, imaginative distilling and good hospitality.
Over the past 18 months, more than £300,000 has been invested in new stills, increasing the distillery’s production capacity more than fourfold and creating local jobs. The original large stills played their part in Penzance’s Town of Culture bid, whilst the smaller stills have been repurposed for product development and small-batch, limited-edition releases.
Mike Cunliffe, Co-Founder of Pocketful of Stones said: “Ten years on, it’s still slightly surreal to think that what began as four bartenders with a shared passion for good spirits has grown into the business it is today. We’ve had plenty of memorable moments along the way, from choosing lobsters straight off the boats during a very Cornish ‘business meeting’, to Shaun disappearing down a dual carriageway on a branded delivery bike after our first trade show, but we’ve also built something we’re hugely proud of.
“Launching our first whisky and creating the Hell’s Stone brand were real highlights, along with, of course, producing our own absinthe spoon. It hasn’t always been easy, particularly through the mini-budget fallout, but Cornwall’s spirit, creativity and generosity have carried us through. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey so far, and we’re looking forward to seeing what mischief the next decade brings.”
Visitors and locals of Cornwall are invited to join the celebrations, with a series of events taking place throughout September, culminating with the official ten-year birthday party and launch of Caspyn Ten on the 27th September at Pocketful of Stones bar on Causewayhead in Penzance.
For more information or to place an order, visit www.pocketfulofstones.com.
