By Shannon Maria Jones

Riannon Walsh is a true woman of the world.  An international blending superstar and respected “nose” in the spirits industry, she has a lifetime of experience.

From her time living in Scotland working for the Laphroaig distillery to her assistance jumpstarting countless distilleries the world over, she has displayed a passion and knack for the spirits industry, rivaled by very few.  

Thankfully for local residents and cocktail lovers, her love of horses has also landed her in our beautiful backyard – the Elverson region of Chester County.

This summer Walsh opened the Brandywine Branch Distillery & Bistro with  an entire line of gin–highlighting the true versatility of this underappreciated spirit.

Many distilled spirits take years to become viable as they need to be aged for a length of time. Gin, however, is ready much faster and has more malleable rules for its production allowing for many varieties.  As a lover of the outdoors, Riannon decided to make a different gin for each season.

Operating on 8 acres in a majestic barn that’s hundreds of years old, the rustic charm of the location fits perfectly with the “farm-to-table” feel of the spirits.  

Distilled only twice, these gins are still smooth and flavorful beyond many that you’ve encountered at your neighborhood bar.  Equinox, Summertide, Harvest, and Solstice have been making quite the splash in the local market.

“We’re already being carried in over 100 high end bars and restaurants in Philadelphia, because once these skilled bartenders taste our product, they want to be involved,” explains Riannon.  

Exquisite alone as a Sipping Gin, or mixed into a seasonal cocktail, the Revivalist Botanical Gins are ready for anything.

“We’re supported by some of the best in the region, they really believe in what we’re doing,” Riannon says. “We’re driven by 3 partners, myself and the Avellinos brothers, but we’ve also got 25 investors who are ready to take this journey with us.”

Elaborating on some of the challenges of opening a rural distillery, Riannon says the unique requirements of wastewater, the environmental impact of their presence, and some of the unexpected costs along the way.  

“We love this building!  But never would we have conceived that you can’t run a sprinkler system from a well, so we’ve got some rather imposing water tanks out back that we hadn’t counted on installing.”

For locals wanting to enjoy everything that Brandywine Branch has to offer, consider coming to the Bistro – open Wednesday through Saturday 4:30-8:30 with the best Farm-to-Table food available, and paired with the region’s most unique gin cocktails.  Working with Natasha Yruel, a California imported chef, the menu is sure to please.

Even folks not considering themselves gin lovers should make the short trip to Brandywine Branch to taste their truly unusual, and expertly-crafted wares. Tours and tastings are available, as well as direct bottle sales for those loving the wares!  

Visit Brandywine Branch today, while the weather is perfect and the views are robust.