Joanne Moore

Coming Up

Manchester training gave Joanne Moore the technical base for distillation work that depends on control, repetition and a close read of process. At G&J Distillers, the early years were spent in roles where quality control mattered before profile: from 1996, she became quality control lab supervisor and later Quality Manager, building the sort of discipline that shows up in finished spirit as consistency rather than noise. Since 2006, she has been Master Distiller of G&J Distillers and also Master Distiller of Quintessential Brands, positions that sit at the centre of a practice built on precision and balance.

Where They Are Now

In gin, the line between dry and thin is often decided by restraint. Joanne Moore states it plainly: “It should be dry, not overly sweet and balanced.” That approach runs through the work associated with her name, where flavour is kept measured and clear, with each element asked to hold its place rather than compete for attention. Bloom Gin shows that discipline in a lighter register. Built from a classic London Dry recipe with natural botanicals, it was designed as a very light gin, with soft, fresh citrus, honeysuckle and chamomile notes. The effect is delicate but controlled, a profile that stays bright without tipping into weight. Opihr Gin takes the same technical grounding into spicing and aroma. Inspired by ancient spice routes and the evolving nature of taste exploration, it shifts the register toward warmth and movement, with a visual identity that includes two elephants meeting in the middle on the bottle. In that detail, as in the spirit itself, Joanne Moore’s work is framed around encounter, contrast and composure.

In Their Words “I often describe myself as an accidental distiller as it’s not something I set out to do, but discovered I had the skills for creating gins which I’m passionate about and really enjoy.” “A good gin should have recognisable juniper notes – after all that’s what legally defines a gin. It should be dry, not overly sweet and balanced.”