Pete Bracewell swapped a London career for the Kent coast, moving from Suffolk to Folkestone during the pandemic and starting to distil on a miniature still in the mezzanine of a family garage. About three years of development later, the first Beach Buoys gins reached the market, and The Folkestone Distillery now works from Shearway Business Park with a simple aim: spirits inspired by the joy of seaside living.

The distillery describes Coastal Aromatic Gin as a vibrant, contemporary gin. Juniper, coriander seeds and cassia create a robust foundation, sweet orange peel and grapefruit bring citrus vibrancy, orris root adds a subtle floral elegance and cardamom a warm, spicy complexity. The spirit comes off the still at 75 to 80% ABV and is reduced to 43% for bottling.

The still is automated, with the botanicals held in a layer above the alcohol, and the cuts between heads, hearts and tails are managed precisely to control the intensity of juniper and keep the flavours complex. The gin goes into aluminium rather than glass: the bottle is reusable and fully recyclable, and aluminium needs less energy than glass, a choice meant to protect the seaside that inspires the brand. It comes in 500 ml, 250 ml and 50 ml sizes.

Recognition followed quickly. The Gin Guide Awards gave Coastal Aromatic Gold in the Contemporary category in 2026, a year after its sister, Coastal Dry Gin, was named Best Contemporary Gin and Best Coastal Gin. For a seaside gin and tonic, choose a light tonic, fill the glass with ice and add a strip of grapefruit peel, which picks up the citrus and brings a gentle bitterness. The distillery also opens its taproom on the first Friday of each month.