About Us

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin.....

​

Back in early 2017, Shorty was making driftwood art and had a small workshop overlooking the sea. It was indeed a wonderful adventure. However beach combing, day dreaming and letting life drift by did not pay the bills.  After a glut of Victoria Plums on the plum tree in my parents' garden, I had a go at making Plum Gin Liqueur. It went down rather well, better than expected. So thoughts turned to, maybe just maybe I could make gins for a living. Oh how we laughed at the local business centre when I suggested such a venture. A small pat on the arm and a "Stick to making driftwood art love, it's easier." It was the challenge Shorty needed!

​

So what happened next?.....

First to obtain the personal alcohol license. Then the premises license was approved. After that, every obstacle thrown in front of the short one was clambered over.  A  Compounder's License, registering with the duty stamp scheme, registering with the newly introduced when we started, the Alcohol Wholesale Registration Scheme. The steepest learning curve imaginable.

​

Then in February 2018 Shorty applied for the trademark Endeavour Gin. All was well until a threat of opposition from one of the world's largest suppliers and producers of alcoholic drinks and wines. They kindly allowed me to have Endeavour Gin after changing my application and agreeing to their terms. What a wonderful company they are. Then came the big bombshell....whilst shopping in June 2018 at Lewis and Cooper's in Northallerton, the short one found that someone was using her trademark! AND their bottles were on the shelves in the shop! Well, a chance meeting with the director of the distillery lead to a meeting with the same 'gentleman'... it didn't go well. Knowing how small Shorty's was he said "Take me to court if you want your trademark. It will cost you 90k in total to go through court."

​

Well, that knocked Shorty off her 26" legs. After consulting with the big boss (mother, best friend) we approached a trademark solicitor who said we had a watertight case. We sent a cease and desist letter. The 'gentleman' backed off straight away and pulled back all stock as per the terms of our contract he had had to sign. October/ November 2018 and the Shorty's bank account was empty. How could we carry on......then out of the blue, a secret benefactor/supporter deposited a sizeable chunk of money into the bank account. We could move forward again! All thanks to 'Chris'. Gin folk, the battle had been long, hard and fraught with hassles, obstacles, legalities but we as a company prevailed, culminating in the launch of Endeavour Gin in July 2019.

​

Who could have imagined that by January 2020 Endeavour Gin would win BRONZE at the World Gin Awards. Then in 2021 a GOLD at The Women's Wine and Spirits Awards in Hong Kong. And now bang up to date, September 2022, Endeavour Gin has been shortlisted and in the final 12 of the Great British Food Awards, up against some really big hitters. Shorty's is still a one woman distillery, on a mission to bring stunning gins to the marketplace. We have many opportunities on the horizon and hope to make Endeavour Gin and our other gins and liqueurs part of the global brand they so rightly deserve to be.

​

Covid-19 certainly threw some curve balls in 2020, we were in line to get Endeavour Gin on a magnificent cruise ship. A combination of events and Covid-19 put a stop to that. However, we are hoping to ignite that flame again in 2023. That is the ultimate dream for Shorty and her Endeavour Gin. Imagine, Shorty's Endeavour Gin going around the world just like Captain Cook's most famous and globally iconic ship, on the best cruise ships in the world.

​

In December 2020 we were asked if we would like to move back to our home borough of Redcar and Cleveland. The opportunity was potentially a game changer. A shop and our very own small craft distillery. The answer was a resounding yes please. Now ensconced in Guisborough Town Hall since 1st April 2022, our leap off faith is working out well.

​

So, that is the tale of Shorty and Shorty's Gins. It is down to my wonderful followers on Instagram and Facebook that keep this business rolling. Also a shout out to EVERY establishment stocking Endeavour Gin and our fruity liqueurs. Life is a challenge from birth and how we approach each day, how we treat others and animals, is how we progress and how we develop into good human beings. Shorty's is very different from all other gin companies as what really matters in life to Shorty is how we treat each other, look after each other and how we can help and impact, in a positive way, on other folks' lives. A wage is the aim and to get through life in the best way possible. Shorty dedicates everything she achieves to her sister Lanky (Rebecca/Bec) who left life early in July 2012 and her best mate Mum, Kathleen Frances. Our 100 litre copper pot still is lovingly named after her.