Founded in 2018, Taylor & Smith Distilling Co. is an independent artisan distillery in Hobart, owned and run by Natalie Smith and Ben Taylor. The pair experiment with Tasmanian botanicals and carefully craft spirits that synthesise the Tasmanian landscape and write out the stories of place.
While Smith never intended to work in distilling, she has always been passionate about pursuing creative paths, and it’s unsurprising that her journey led her here.
“In my younger days I was a sailor. I was working towards racing and sailing around the world when I broke both my wrists snowboarding,” she says.
“Finding opportunity in the slow pace created by two plaster casts, I went back to university to study Environmental Science where I ended up completing my doctorate on ‘creativity as a process’ in cultural geography.
“Ben is an artist and has a Masters in Fine Art. Together, we have always made things with our hands from architectural dwellings to sourdough bread. The transition to Single Malt Whisky came through sharing drinks with friends in beautiful locations, enjoying both the beautiful company and the place in which we were.
“The making of spirits was an extension of our creative practice but this time drawing on barley or plants and spices for the gin, as well as developing packaging – both a creative outlet and source of joy.”
From the very beginning, Smith says the duo are fortunate enough to have grown together with their business, owing to their strong academic backgrounds and personal values.
“For me the process of starting a business and watching it grow has been the most rewarding part of being in the industry. We are proud of the way it has developed, and we are also thrilled to have been judged positively within the industry,” she explains.
“When we first started making spirits, we’d take around little jam jars of gin and leave them on our neighbour’s doorstep. People would turn up on a Friday night home from work and find a jar of gin. In reciprocation they would turn up at our place with lemons, quinces, cumquats or other botanicals they were hoping would feed back into the gin.
“Along with experimentation, another defining characteristic of our process is our focus on the handmade. We don’t have any automated systems. It comes from the heart. We love to bring people together through our spirits, and small things that are beautiful in the right place can enhance a moment.”
Along with a commitment to creative processes and handmade produce, Smith says the business is a reflection of hers and Taylor’s culture and beliefs, which has led them to be inclusive in their approach.
“With our brand, our mission is ‘bringing people together sharing stories of place through our spirits’.
“At Taylor & Smith, We have worked hard to build a strong team that involves some fantastic women from a range of diverse backgrounds. These women have strongly influenced the directions we have taken, the types of products we offer and how they are marketed.
“These relationships have assisted us to build a brand that appeals to a very broad range of people and simultaneously ensures each product is as individual as our valued customer base.”
While this inclusivity is very apparent in the operational side of the business, it also translates to the pairs aspirations for their consumers.
“At Taylor & Smith we want to ensure that every individual who wishes to enjoy our spirits feels like each bottle is made for them,” added Smith.
“The industry is challenging, for many reasons, but it is also an industry where you can be experiential and creative. Surround yourself with good people who share your values.
“Take the time to explore your own story and find a way to share that with your customers. Individual connection is important, and this can be a point of difference in an industry that is growing around you at a rapid pace.”
Being able to create these experiences for customers is extremely rewarding for Smith, but she also takes great pride in the recognition for the business has received since its founding in 2018.
“We have won awards for our Gin and Dry Gin and most recently our Single Malt Whisky. The humble Hanky Panky from our bottled cocktail range won runner up in Australia’s Best Drink at the Drink Easy Awards last year.
“Working closely with the Tasmanian Department of State Growth has also been rewarding. We have been invited to attend a number of trade events overseas, including Japan, Singapore and New Zealand. These international experiences have exposed us to other innovative and exciting Tasmanian projects and industries and to build a network of support locally.”
