A planning application by Fynoderee Limited has been made for the conversion of a building at 10 West Quay Ramsey into a micro-distillery that will specialise in the production of premium hand-crafted spirits.

The Fynoderee Distillery has been founded by local couple Paul and Tiffany Kerruish along with award winning Scottish master distiller Gerard Macluskey (formerly of Tanqueray Gordon and latterly Masons Yorkshire Gin).

The plan is to start production this autumn in a temporary location ahead of its permanent premises being completed on the quayside in Ramsey in early 2018, if the planning application is successful.

Once open, the distillery will also be available for visits, tastings and talks.

The distillery will be launching with a seasonal Manx Dry Gin this autumn that will feature a number of hand-picked Manx botanical ingredients and will be created using traditional, flame fired, copper pot stills.

There are already ’ambitious and exciting’ plans to follow this is up with further gin editions and other unusual and innovative spirits, working collaboratively with other local artisan producers.

Co-founder Tiffany Kerruish said: ’With our initial offering of a Manx Dry Gin, we intend to use hand-grown ingredients wherever possible and are very excited to announce that Milntown Estate and Gardens have agreed to be our cultivated ’botanics’ supplier. We are also in discussion with a number of other partners to advise and assist with responsible and sustainable foraging for other more ’wild’ botanics.

’We will be recruiting Fynoderee Foragers over the coming months!

’After many long months of intensive research, liaison with the relevant authorities, planning and trialling of recipes, we are so excited to be introducing our first Manx Dry Gin in October, along with our branding story that is inspired by magical tales from Manx folklore and the rugged beauty of the botanical landscape that surrounds us on the Isle of Man.’

Ramsey MHK, Dr Alex Allinson said: ’Local initiatives to produce high quality food and drinks are helping establish the Isle of Man as a culinary centre and exports have put the island on the gastronomic map.

’To see such an enterprise starting-up here in Ramsey is particularly encouraging as it will help in the regeneration of part of the harbour front, as well as make a welcome addition to the range of visitor attractions and social fabric of the town.

’I’m sure in featuring local ingredients and drawing on Manx heritage, the Fynoderee Distillery will set itself apart in creating unique spirits to be enjoyed responsibly by locals, visitors and overseas devotees of Manx produce.’