DropWorks Rum, near Worksop, doubles revenue in a year, and celebrates third anniversary
As Welbeck distillery DropWorks Rum celebrates three years of trading this month, it reports that it has also more than doubled its revenue compared to the same time last year.
Since 2023, DropWorks has focused on disrupting the entire rum category and establishing its high-quality, naturally flavoured British rum alongside long-standing traditional brands.
The team continues to challenge customer perceptions around rum, has secured premium listings in major venues, and opened the doors of their distillery near Worksop in the heart of Nottinghamshire, to show exactly how their liquid is produced.
The increased revenue is due to DropWorks’ branded bottle sales, private label sales and more than 3,000 visitors booking tours at the distillery.
Looking ahead, following its successful crowdfunding push in late 2025, DropWorks will continue to seek targeted investment to reach its long-term goal of international expansion.
With more than two decades of experience in the drinks industry including marketing roles at global giant Diageo, CEO Graham Appleyard joined the company just over a year ago.
Graham said: “I was attracted to the business due to three reasons: premium rum is a big opportunity, the products were winning awards and creating a buzz and, above all else, the team had a big ambition - you don’t build Europe’s largest premium rum distillery without one.
“More importantly, though, when I stepped into the business, I discovered liquids that were even better than I had imagined, a visionary founder in Lewis who is an expert in his field, and a talented team ready to make a difference.
"Over the last 12 months, we have evolved dramatically and I look forward to seeing us move from strength-to-strength for the remainder of the year.”
Already poured in a number of the UK’s top 50 bars including Soma, Disrepute, Slowpour and Blinker, DropWorks recently secured a listing in one of the world’s most recognised high-end stores, Fortnum and Mason.
Over the last year alone, DropWorks surpassed its first crowdfunding target (raising nearly £500K) and partnered with HAUS Bitters to launch ‘HAUS Parties’ across the UK.
These immersive cocktail events are hosted on multiple dates each month in bars, putting the DropWorks brand in front of the country’s top bartenders and hospitality venues.
Another standout moment from a remarkable year was the introduction of its limited-edition Distiller’s Drop range to the public. The first sold out in under 48 hours and the second won Gold in the Spirits Business Rum and Cachaça Masters 2026.
“After welcoming Graham to the helm early last year, it is clear that his experience is paying dividends as we continue to grow the DropWorks brand and inject excitement into the rum category,” said founder and master distiller Lewis Hayes.
“We have enjoyed some fantastic successes, and the next 12 months promise to be no different.”
DropWorks Distillery is the largest of its kind in Europe, spanning 17,000 sq ft. It can produce up to 1.5 million bottles of rum a year and up to 10 barrels of rum a day.
The distillery houses bespoke copper stills, and the team ferments, distils, ages and bottles every Drop of rum on site, and oversees every step of the production process.