Our Process

Crafting Toca Vida

The perfect balance between tradition and modernity, craftsmanship and artistry. Toca Vida Gin is crafted at the historic Hensol Castle Distillery, nestled in the Welsh countryside. With over 400 years of history, Hensol Castle is a place where innovation and tradition have long existed side by side, making it the ideal home for our contemporary gin. Every bottle of Toca Vida reflects our commitment to quality, precision, and flavour, created through a hands-on process that respects classic distilling methods while embracing a modern approach.

A Historic Welsh Distillery

Hidden within the cellar of the 17th-century Hensol Castle, Toca Vida Gin is handcrafted in small batches by our expert distilling team. The distillery operates a 400-litre copper pot and column still hybrid, allowing complete control over each stage of production. This method enables us to carefully shape the character of the gin, ensuring consistency while preserving the individuality of every batch. Nothing is rushed, automated, or outsourced. Each distillation is deliberately crafted from start to finish.

The Art of Distillation

Experience Toca Vida
A young couple standing on a brick pathway in front of a historic stone castle, smiling and holding a jar. The castle features a clock tower and arched entrance, with leafless tree branches overhead.
A hand holding a bottle of Toca Vida Gin in front of a stone castle with a large archway, windows, and battlements. The background includes a blue sky and leafless tree branches.
Baskets and jars of various herbs, spices, and seeds on a wooden table, with bottles and a black bag nearby.
A person working with various herbs and spices on a wooden table, with copper bowls, small bottles, a bag of asparagus, a turquoise gin bottle, and a white tray with a pen and designed tape.
Wooden barrel with engraved text reading "HENSOL CASTLE DISTILLERY."
A hand holding a bottle of Toch Vida gin in front of a dark wall with illuminated brown letters spelling out "EAT, DRINK, TASTE, TELLER".
A man in a yellow vest and cap pouring ingredients into a large copper distillation still in a distillery.
Large, shiny copper distillation equipment in a distillery or brewery, with pipes, gauges, and metallic surfaces, set in an industrial space with concrete ceilings.
A large stone castle with multiple towers and turrets, surrounded by lush green trees and grass, with stairs leading up to the entrance.
  • Botanicals

    1. Sourcing the Finest Botanicals

    Our process begins with ingredients. Every botanical used in Toca Vida Gin is thoughtfully sourced to create a vibrant, layered, and balanced flavour profile.

    Each ingredient is chosen for its quality and character. This attention to sourcing ensures that every bottle of Toca Vida delivers the same refined experience, whether enjoyed neat, over ice, or in a cocktail.

    No matter which expression you choose, the foundation remains the same: quality ingredients, handled with care.

  • Copper Still

    2. Distillation in a 400-Litre Copper Still

    Distillation is where Toca Vida truly comes to life. Our copper pot and column still hybrid allows for precision and flexibility, enabling us to extract bright citrus notes while maintaining depth and structure. Each batch is manually operated and closely monitored, ensuring the flavours develop exactly as intended.

    We never use additives or artificial sweeteners. Instead, our gin is made using only pure spirit, fresh botanicals, and time-honoured distillation techniques. The result is a clean, smooth gin with clarity of flavour and a refined finish.

  • Welsh Water

    3. The Importance of Welsh Water

    Water plays a crucial role in the final character of any gin, and Wales is renowned for having some of the finest water in the world.

    The Welsh water used in our distillation process contributes to the smoothness and balance of Toca Vida Gin, enhancing the botanicals without overpowering them. It is an essential part of what makes our gin both approachable and complex.

  • Empty Bottles

    4. Hand-Bottling

    After distillation, our gin is carefully hand-bottled in small batches. Each bottle is inspected, sealed, and labeled by hand, ensuring that only the best reaches your glass. The final product is a perfectly balanced, gin that’s ideal for sipping or mixing into your favorite cocktails.

Discover Toca Vida