Cornwall's Distilling Heritage: From Smugglers to Craft Spirits
Cornwall's relationship with spirits runs deeper than most people realize. Long before craft distilleries dotted the coastline, this rugged peninsula was synonymous with smuggling, contraband, and the illicit trade of rum, brandy, and gin. Today, that rebellious spirit lives on—but in a very different form.
At Mounts Bay Distillery, we're proud to be part of Cornwall's modern distilling renaissance, a movement that honors our region's colorful past while creating world-class spirits for the future.
The Golden Age of Smuggling
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Cornwall was the smuggling capital of Britain. With its countless hidden coves, sea caves, and remote beaches, the Cornish coastline was perfectly suited for landing contraband under cover of darkness.
Spirits—particularly French brandy, Caribbean rum, and Dutch gin—were among the most prized smuggled goods. High taxes made legally imported spirits prohibitively expensive for ordinary people, creating a thriving black market. Entire communities were involved, from fishermen who sailed out to meet smuggling vessels, to innkeepers who hid barrels in secret cellars, to local gentry who turned a blind eye in exchange for a share of the profits.
The famous Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor, immortalized in Daphne du Maurier's novel, was just one of many establishments that served as a front for smuggling operations. Hidden tunnels, false walls, and ingenious hiding spots can still be found in historic buildings across Cornwall.
The Revenue Men and the Cat-and-Mouse Game
The government's response was to deploy revenue officers—known locally as "preventive men" or "excise men"—to patrol the coast and intercept smugglers. But they were vastly outnumbered and often outsmarted by locals who knew every inch of the treacherous coastline.
Stories of daring escapes, midnight chases, and clever deceptions became part of Cornish folklore. Smugglers developed elaborate signals using lanterns and fires to communicate with ships offshore, and entire villages would mobilize to unload a cargo before dawn.
This wasn't just about breaking the law—for many Cornish families, smuggling was a matter of economic survival during hard times when fishing and mining provided uncertain livelihoods.
The Decline of Smuggling
By the mid-19th century, several factors led to smuggling's decline. The introduction of steam-powered revenue cutters made it harder for sailing vessels to evade capture. Reductions in import duties made legal spirits more affordable. And improved policing, including the establishment of the Coast Guard, made the risks increasingly outweigh the rewards.
But the taste for quality spirits—and the independent, entrepreneurial spirit that drove the smuggling trade—never disappeared from Cornwall.
The Craft Distilling Renaissance
Fast forward to the 21st century, and Cornwall is experiencing a distilling boom once again—this time completely above board. A new generation of craft distillers is drawing on Cornwall's rich heritage, unique terroir, and artisanal traditions to create exceptional spirits.
What's driving this renaissance? Several factors:
Local ingredients: Cornwall's distinctive botanicals, pure water, and agricultural products provide the foundation for spirits with genuine character and sense of place.
Tourism and storytelling: Visitors to Cornwall are eager to experience authentic local products and hear the stories behind them. Craft spirits offer a taste of Cornwall they can take home.
Quality over quantity: Modern craft distillers prioritize small-batch production, traditional methods, and attention to detail—values that resonate with today's discerning consumers.
Innovation within tradition: While honoring historical techniques, contemporary distillers aren't afraid to experiment with new flavors, aging methods, and creative expressions.
From Contraband to Craft: The Spirit Continues
There's a beautiful symmetry to Cornwall's distilling story. The same independent spirit that drove smugglers to risk everything for quality spirits now inspires craft distillers to create products that stand among the world's best.
The same coastal geography that provided cover for smuggling operations now influences the terroir of our spirits—the salt air, the maritime climate, the unique water and botanicals.
And the same sense of community that once united villages in smuggling enterprises now supports local distilleries, with Cornish people taking pride in their region's craft spirits and sharing them with visitors from around the world.
Honoring the Heritage
At Mounts Bay Distillery, we see ourselves as custodians of this heritage. While we operate entirely within the law (much to the relief of modern revenue officers!), we channel that same passion, craftsmanship, and connection to place that has always defined Cornwall's relationship with spirits.
Every bottle we produce carries forward centuries of Cornish spirit—both literally and figuratively. We're not just making rum and gin; we're continuing a story that began in hidden coves and smugglers' caves, evolved through hardship and ingenuity, and now flourishes in Cornwall's craft distilling renaissance.
The next time you enjoy a Cornish craft spirit, remember: you're tasting history, heritage, and the indomitable spirit of Cornwall itself.