The Yorkshire Dales Distillery is based just outside Richmond in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. It was founded in 2016 by ex-army officer Tony Brotherton with his wife Sarah, after he took a masters degree in brewing and distilling at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. The first products Purple Ram London Dry Gin and Smokey Ram Yorkshire Vodka were launched in 2017. Since then the pair have released a whole range of spirits including a rum. They also provide a contract distilling service.