An interview with Jon Carson, Witchmark

Witchmark Distillery: Where Folklore Meets Flavour in the Wiltshire Countryside

Nestled on the Fonthill Estate near Salisbury, Witchmark Distillery is redefining what it means to drink consciously — and exceptionally. From regenerative barley grown metres from their door to water drawn from a chalk-filtered aquifer beneath their feet, every drop of their vodka and gin is a true expression of place, craft, and purpose.

In this interview, we chat to Jon Carson from the team behind Witchmark about their beginnings, their sustainable ethos, and the folklore that inspired their name. With award-winning spirits already under their belt — including a GOLD for their vodka — and a single malt whisky on the horizon, Witchmark is a distillery with serious spirit (and spirits).

Bonus: Buy any Witchmark product from us and we’ll include a link and code for a free distillery tour — the perfect way to experience the magic firsthand.

Witchmark’s World
Who’s the Witchmark drinker?

The Witchmark drinker values authenticity and holds a deep respect for the natural world and its influence on everything we do — especially in whisky making. They seek a spirit crafted with care, one that reflects a regenerative process and a commitment to sustainability, and they take the time to truly savour its taste.

Raising a Glass
You’ve earned some great feedback and attention. What’s been the proudest moment since Witchmark distillery started?

Within our first 3 months of trading, we established ourselves as the highest B-Corp scoring distillery in England and the 2^nd highest globally. We have also been awarded a GOLD award from the World Drinks Award for our Vodka, and a Silver for our Black Lime Gin.

Sustainability & Spirit of Place

A Natural Path
Sustainability is clearly at the heart of Witchmark — was that always a key part of your vision from the start? What are some of the things you are doing to be more sustainable?

Yes, becoming a leader in sustainable production methods and work ethic was a very clear focus from the start. We have invested heavily in heat recovery technology, which allows us to use gas sparingly. The gas we do use, we pay a 100% premium for as it is bio-LPG which has a 40-50% lower carbon emission impact than fossil fuel LPG. Our effluent is taken to a local bio digester where it is turned into bio fuel to be re-used. We are installing solar panels, and all our bottles are made from 100% recycled glass. Also, as both our barley and water are sourced on-site, the furthest we have to travel is Warminster malt house (8 miles away) keeping our food mileage extremely low. All spent grain is sent of to cattle feed. In short, THERE IS NO WASTE.

Sustainable Spirits
Do you believe consumers are becoming more conscious about what goes into their glass — not just flavour, but footprint?

100% yes. Consumers, now more than every are paying attention to making healthy decisions when purchasing both food and drink.

Consumers appear to be drinking less but better. They are happy to spend more on a product if they know the origin and credentials behind it. In our case, this is authenticity, provenance, traceability and sustainability.

Witchmark’s Green Spellbook
If you could give one piece of advice to other small producers wanting to improve their sustainability, what would it be?

I would strongly suggest looking to implement these processes and procedures early on in your journey. Developing these retrospectively can be very expensive and can end up adjusting the taste / flavour of a product you have worked so hard to establish.

What’s Next? Are there any upcoming flavours, limited editions or new ideas on the way?

We are currently pulling together our new make spirit for retail. This is the spirit that goes into the wooden cask which will ultimately become whisky in 3 years’ time. Historically this is a tricky liquid to get right, however the feedback we have received from ours by many seasoned vets in the sector, and from the public who have sampled it has been very impressive. Due to this, we will be looking to bring this to market shortly. We are also creating giftable packs that allow consumers to trial all SKUs without spending on several 70cl bottles.

Spellcraft for the People
You’re launching a gin school soon — tell us everything! What can guests expect, and how hands-on will it be?

Our gin school will not just be about the ability to create an entirely bespoke gin using botanicals individually chosen, but to educate customers on the gin distillation process from start to finish. This will be a hands on school,  and allow customers to really get to grips with the equipment, ingredients and packaging.

Ageing Like Fine Spirits
You have a whisky in the works — when might that magical moment arrive, and what can you tell us about it so far?

We filled our first cask with new make spirit on 1^st August 2024. This essentially means our single malt will be ready to retail back end of 2027. We are predominantly using 3 woods – Ex-Bourbon, STR Red Wine and Virgin American Oak casks. Each wood delivers a unique flavour profile within the whisky. If I was pushed, I would certainly say our whisky will be more like a Speyside than an Islay whisky in terms of flavour and depth. In reality, it will be a bloody good Single Malt Wiltshire whisky. 😊