Sipping Somerset: Inside Still Sisters, Frome’s Family-Run Gin Distillery
- Becky Percival
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
There are some places in Frome that manage to wrap you in warmth the moment you step through the door. Still Sisters is one of them. Their venue next to Tool Station on the Marston Trading Estate seems an unlikely place for a great night — but trust me, once you’re through the door, you're in for a treat.
Why you’ll love this story
Discover how a family-run distillery in Frome turns local Somerset botanicals into award-winning gin - small-batch, authentic, and utterly unique.
Get behind the scenes with copper still “Storm,” meet the sisters who run the business, and learn why craft distilling still matters in a fast-paced world.
A taste of still-life: from rose & hibiscus gin to zesty citrus and even watercress-infused cocktails - this is gin with attitude, character and real stories at its heart.
But the heart of Still Sisters isn’t just the gin. It’s the women behind it.
A Family Story with Somerset Roots
The company’s origins stretch back to 1996, when the family first started distilling. What began as a small venture has grown over the decades into a thriving business now run by a new generation of sisters who took the reins in 2017. They inherited both the equipment and the ethos - make spirits properly, honour the ingredients, and never cut corners.
The sisters have modernised the distillery while keeping the traditional methods alive. Their approach is refreshingly simple: everything that goes into the gin must be real. Local. Seasonal. Expressive. They hand-pick botanicals from Somerset growers, forage certain ingredients themselves, and refuse to add flavourings or sweeteners after distillation. What you taste is what came out of the still. No extras, no cheats, no artificial anything.
That focus on authenticity runs through everything they do. They know their growers, they know their orchards, and they know exactly which part of Somerset each botanical came from. It’s a family business in every sense - rooted in place, history and community.
Storm, the Copper Still with a Personality
A moment has to be given to Storm, the gleaming copper still at the heart of the operation. She’s a beautiful, barrel-shaped machine that quietly commands the room. Storm is where every drop of Still Sisters gin is born, heated, condensed, and shaped by the botanicals swirling inside.
The sisters talk about her in the way people talk about a treasured family heirloom. She behaves differently depending on weather, temperature and mood; they know exactly how she’ll respond to each recipe. The result is gin that tastes like it’s been crafted rather than manufactured.
Let the Tasting Begin
With Storm glowing behind us, we started our evening with the rose and hibiscus gin. Soft, floral and a delicate shade of pink, it immediately set a joyful tone. When we paired it with rose lemonade, everything lifted - suddenly it felt like a summer wedding in a glass. My only word of warning – don’t over-do the rose petals, they might get stuck between your teeth!
Next came Citrus Flow, a gin created thanks to the help of their neighbours in town, The Flow Bar. The recipe was refined with friends and local growers, with heaps of Somerset citrus peel going straight into the still. The result is bright, zesty and uplifting, the kind of gin that makes you sit up a little straighter.
Then we turned to the Somerset apple, which tastes like exactly how you hope it will. It carries the freshness of Somerset’s orchards, crisp and lightly sweet with a gentle herbal edge. You can almost hear the crunch of an apple when you take the first sip.
But the biggest surprise of the night was the award-winning watercress gin. Yes, watercress. Mixed with elderflower liqueur and apple juice, it became a cool cocktail that shocked us all with how refreshing and elegant it was. It shouldn’t work - and yet it really, really does.
Craft, Character and a Sense of Place
Still Sisters is more than a distillery. It’s a celebration of Somerset’s landscape, expressed through flavour. The sisters are determined to keep everything small scale, hands on and personal. They know their supporters by name, and they have a knack for making everyone feel part of the process.
You can sense how seriously they take their work while still keeping the atmosphere light. There’s plenty of laughter, plenty of playfulness, and a genuine pride in producing spirits that reflect the county they grew up in.
Why You Should Go
If you haven’t visited Still Sisters yet, add it to your list. Go with friends, book a tasting, ask questions, and let them show you how their gins are made. You’ll walk out with a favourite bottle (or two), but more importantly, you’ll walk out feeling like you’ve discovered something truly local and truly special.
In a town full of creative makers, Still Sisters stands out as a reminder that craft is at its best when it’s rooted in place and run by people who love what they do.
Whether you’re a gin lover, a curious soul, or simply someone who appreciates a story with roots, Still Sisters offers something rare: a taste of Somerset, a slice of family, and an experience you won’t forget.
If you want to support local craft, explore true-to-place spirits, or just sip something special - this is one distillery well worth a visit.
Ready for more Frome stories?
Check out our full When in Frome Podcast Unfiltered archive to discover other makers, creators and hidden gems around town.
If you are a business and would like to have a Spotlight feature written about you and published on Fabulous Frome, please contact Becky on +44 7793 561696 or email her at becky@fabulousfrome.co.uk. For prices click here.
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