The family-run distillery at Chatham Maritime will open it’s doors to the public for the first time tomorrow, Saturday.

After a three year restoration and refurbishment project the Copper Rivet Distillery in Pumphouse No. 5, a Grade II listed Victorian building which was used to pump water out of the dry docks, has been bought back into use.

It will be open every week, from Wednesday to Saturday, for pre-arranged tours.

Visitors can see the distillery process in action, have a botanicals masterclass and learn how to distill their own gin.

The distillery will produce Masthouse, a single malt whisky, Dockyard Gin, Vela Vodka and Son of a Gun – an unaged grain spirit with a whisky flavour profile, which has been designed especially for use in cocktails.

The team hope to produce 150,000 bottles in their first year.

The men behind the scheme are Bob Russell, his sons Matthew and Stephen, and head distiller Abhishek Banik.

Founder Bob said: “After fifteen years in the making, we’re thrilled to finally be opening the doors to our new distillery.

“We’re truly humbled by the massive support and interest we’ve received from the local community and businesses alike for our new venture.

"We hope people take the distillery to their hearts and look forward to playing our part in contributing to the regeneration of Chatham.”

Matthew said: “Chatham Maritime and the dockyard has an incredible heritage of craftsmanship, industry and innovation.

"We’re hoping to replicate and reinvent this proud tradition by producing exceptional gins, whiskies and vodkas from scratch in bespoke stills, wrought right here in Chatham, with the same skill that local craftsmen once fashioned world-class ships.”

Stephen added: “In today’s society, where everything is about repackaging and upselling, there’s a consumer revolution taking place. Consumers are asking for bespoke and hand crafted alternatives to mass produced products.

“It’s really satisfying to feel we’re playing a part in this revolution by creating something of real quality, from scratch, that consumers can discover, savour and enjoy.”

The distillery, including the Pump Room, Club Rooms, Distiller’s Lawn and the Ward Room, will also be available for corporate and private functions.

For more information, or to book a tour search Copper Rivet Distillery on Facebook or follow @rivetdistillery on Twitter.