OUR STORY
Ten Hides was the brainchild in 2019 of former army officer Andrew Wilson, who had spent time on Salisbury Plain during his service career - often very close to the earth and turf of this ancient grassland! Vast chalk plateaux, rich flora and fauna, stunning views across the barley fields, and the cool, chalk-filtered water all influenced his original and very individual creations.
The business grew, adding limited edition gins to the range, and collecting unusual casks in which to mature the whisky. And now the range is gaining national recognition. In 2023, our dry and aromatic Ten Hides London Gin won a coveted World Gin Award, and a year later our Spiced Rum, with its silky notes of vanilla and caramel, was awarded an accolade from Great Taste - the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme. Followed in 2025 by our crisply citrus Orange Gin.
Today, hospitality entrepreneur James Brake - Wiltshire born and bred – is both Managing Director and Head Distiller. surrounded by a local team of fellow spirits enthusiasts in sales, marketing, production and finance. And our micro-distillery at Melksham’s Avonside – the new riverfront destination that is part of the town’s reviving cultural centre – hums with activity as demand increases for our products, with their proud Wiltshire heritage.
Our current range includes:
TEN HIDES LONDON DRY GIN
Aromatic with spicy notes & hints of flowers found on Wiltshire’s chalklands, A World Gin Award.2023 winner
‘One of the top ten London Dry Gins in the country’ - Wine judge and spirits commentator Joe Wadsack
TEN HIDES RHUBARB GIN
Our latest addition. Tart and tangy, with a hint of sweet fruit in the finish
TEN HIDES ORANGE GIN
Mandarin, orange blossom & bergamot – the perfect citrus balance of sweet and sharp. Great Taste Award 2025
TEN HIDES SPICED RUM
Silky smooth with vanilla & caramel. Great Taste Award 2024
James Brake
Managing Director
With 20 years of experience in high-end hotel and restaurant management across the UK and France, including the creation of a beautiful restaurant at Manoir de Longeveau near Cognac, James holds expertise in project management and quality as well as experience within cosmetic industry with ISO 22716.
At Ten Hides, these high standards are being applied to ensure consistent quality and prepare for future growth. The success so far has come from building exceptional, honest, and talented teams, who are ready to take the project to the next level.
Tagore Ramoutar
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Cambridge graduate, co-founder and previously MD of The Oxford Artisan Distillery. Institute of Directors, director of the year (2019) for SME & start-ups. Sits on the Board of the English Whisky Guild.
Tom Haines Bsc.(Hons), ACIB,CEng, MIMechE, MCIM,CeMAP
FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
Tom was born and educated in Stratford-upon-Avon. He graduated in Mechanical Engineering, researching applications for lasers shortly after their invention. Adding professional Banking and Marketing qualifications to Engineering, his career involved developing new products and businesses in the UK, Europe, North America and India. He subsequently spent 20 years as an executive in the mortgage industry, establishing new processes, applications and products.
Post retirement he is constantly seeking new outlets for his energy and experience. Don't get him started on motorcycles or Formula1!
Elly Cheeseman
HEAD OF COMMERCIAL
Local business owner with over 20 years FMCG manufacturing experience working alongside Blue Chip retailers and brands. Significant product management, financial and operational skill set, delivering product from concept to launch.
Alison Ward-Baptiste
HEAD OF SALES
Alison lives just two miles from the distillery and has been involved in hospitality for many years. She was working at Michelin-starred Lucknam Park when she met her chef partner, Alex, and together they owned and ran The Tollgate Inn, Holt for thirteen years and The George in nearby Woolley, Bradford on Avon for eight.
Now, with WSET L3, qualifications to her credit, she is handling sales for Ten Hides and all their outside events. She is often seen buzzing through the lanes in her soft-top BMW classic sports car - nicknamed Penelope.