From Wartime Vault to Working Distillery: The Hidden History of Distinct

Tucked beneath the English countryside, in a quiet stretch of Shropshire, lies a place that was once among the most strategic sites in Britain. Built in secrecy 87 years ago, it played a vital role in one of the world’s most defining moments. Today, it’s the home of Distinct Distillers.

This is the story of how a forgotten fuel depot became a working rum distillery — and how preserving the past is shaping the future of British spirits.

A Hidden Asset: The WWII Fuel Depot Beneath Our Feet

In 1938, as the threat of war loomed, the Ministry of Defence began quietly building a network of underground fuel depots across the UK. One of these was constructed beneath our site in Shropshire - designed not to be seen, let alone targeted.

Its purpose? To store and transport aviation fuel to RAF bases across Britain but this expanded with Operation PLUTO (Pipeline Under the Ocean)  to enable the UK to transport fuel to the Allied forces stationed across Europe.

To avoid detection, the depot was connected to a vast underground pipeline. This allowed fuel to move silently and safely across long distances, without relying on vulnerable railways or road tankers. What lay beneath the ground was not just storage — it was part of a carefully coordinated wartime supply chain that helped power Allied air operations.

It was engineering at its most strategic: secure, secret, and built to last.

Rediscovered, Not Replaced

Decades later, the facility sat largely forgotten — overgrown, underused, and disconnected from its original purpose.

That’s when our founders - already operating a family-run agricultural business on-site - began to peel back the layers of history and realise the significance of what they’d inherited.

Rather than clear the site or redevelop over it, they made a decision that would define the future of the business: preserve it.

This wasn’t about nostalgia. It was about respecting the story, the structure, and the opportunity to bring it back to life with purpose.

Building a Distillery With Depth

Distinct Distillers was born not just out of a love for rum, but from a desire to do things differently. And this underground site gave us the perfect foundation.

As we started distilling, we realised the incredible advantage of our vaults. The same insulation and stability that once kept fuel safe now provided the perfect conditions for spirit maturation.

Cool, dark, naturally humid, and totally secure, our WWII vaults have become a unique ageing environment, helping our casks mature slowly and evenly, while preserving the integrity of every drop.

Unlike above-ground warehouses, these vaults don’t need temperature control systems or UV filters. Nature does the work. The result? Rum that develops character and depth, the way it was meant to.

The Generator Room: From Grit to Glassware

While much of the site remained functional, the Generator Room was something different.

Once used to power the entire operation during the war, this space was built to be tough. Reinforced walls. Heavy concrete flooring. A roof thick enough to withstand air raids.

Over the past few years, we’ve slowly and carefully restored the Generator Room into what’s now the Distinct Tasting Room. It’s not polished or overdesigned — it’s honest. We’ve retained the original fittings where possible, from wall panels to steel beams, and added just enough warmth to make it a welcoming space to sip and share.

For us, this isn’t just where you try a spirit. It’s where you connect to the place it came from.

A Legacy Worth Preserving

We’re still blown away by what this site represents. The speed, precision and innovation it took to build this during wartime — using 1930s tools, under pressure, and largely in silence — is something we deeply respect.

It’s one of the reasons we’ve built preservation into everything we do.

It's more than just a distillery. It’s a living archive — a reminder of what came before, and what it takes to create something that lasts.

This place tells a story that deserves to be heard.

The Tasting Room Today

Our Generator Room-turned-Tasting Room is now one of the most unique spaces in the UK spirits world. Currently not open to the public day-to-day, it’s exclusively used for:

• Private tastings and tours
• Cask sampling sessions
• Corporate Events
• Strategic meetings with trade partners and collaborators

Sharing the Story

We believe in transparency — in our process, in our product, and in our place. That’s why we share this story so openly.

And if you’re someone who cares about where your spirit comes from, about the craftsmanship behind every cask, and the decisions behind every bottle — then we think you’ll feel at home here too.

Because we’re not just making rum.
We’re preserving history.
We’re building something distinct.

Planning a Visit or Want to Learn More?

If you’re interested in experiencing the site for yourself:
Email us at info@distinctdistillers.co.uk

Call 01952 890110

Or connect via our social @distinctdistillers