About us

At the Heart of Suffolk Distillery, you will find a local, family-run business that has a passion for creating exceptional products for their customers to enjoy.

The Heart of Suffolk Distillery was launched by husband and wife team Martyn and Karen Luke in February 2018, when a dream turned to reality.  Both are local to the heart of Suffolk with Karen growing up just a half a mile from where the distillery has been established.  Gin has been a passion of Karen’s for many years and more recently of Martyn’s and it was an easy decision, when naming their signature product, to honour Betty, Karen’s mother, who shared the same love and enjoyment of a good quality gin. Karen remembers her mother being a proper Suffolk girl; straight talking, strong willed and famed for her love of a really good gin.  Karen knows she would have been delighted to think that a bit of her legacy goes into every bottle they make.

Karen and Martyn were joined by their son Ryan, in April 2022.  He is now leading the way with the distillery and has his own ideas and exciting plans to push the distillery forward and continue the growth of the company.

The Bacton family lovingly pot distil small batches of a London Dry style gin with nine carefully chosen hand crushed botanicals to create the modern, unique and refreshing taste.

The bijou distillery is based in Finbows Yard, Bacton, itself an independent Suffolk icon. It is open to the public and offers a relaxed and hospitable welcome for those wanting to enjoy a sample and purchase a bottle of the hand-crafted gin. Alongside the gin on the shelves in the small retail unit, you will find other locally sourced products which will enhance the customers experience when they visit.

The clean line image which the Heart of Suffolk Distillery has strived for, has been reflected in our signature gin. Betty’s Gin is a pot distilled gin feeling modern, fresh and crisp to the palette.  It is styled on a London Dry Gin, has a slight orange undertone and is best served with a slice of orange, a handful of ice and a premium tonic water. This complements the nine carefully chosen botanicals which are used to create the unique, modern and refreshing taste.

Throughout the year, Heart of Suffolk Distillery will also be distilling and distributing limited edition gins; further demonstrating the passion our family-run business has for producing high-quality products and exceeding customer expectations.

The Heart of Suffolk Distillery makes real gin for real people.  Each batch of around 70 bottles is hand signed and numbered by master distiller Martyn who believes that when he signs each bottle he puts a piece of himself into each bottle.

If you love Suffolk you will love the Heart of Suffolk’s Betty’s Gin.

Careers 

We are a family-focused company which embraces ideas and involves all members of our team in the decision process.

We encourage our staff to be forward thinkers and never be shy to present an idea. This gives them the opportunity to develop with us and also increase their confidence in a retail, hospitality, production and business environment.

Follow our page here on icanbea... to view our latest job opportunities!