A distillery is due to release a new drink in time for the festive period - and is gearing up to open a restaurant on site.

Copper Rivet Distillery, based in Leviathan Way, Chatham , is putting the final touches on its Masthouse whisky.

The spirit maker is known for its Dockyard Gin, Vela Vodka, Son of a Gun and more recently, Russell's hand sanitiser.

Co-founder and director of Copper Rivet, Stephen Russell, said: "We've been working on Masthouse whisky for about a decade.

"The spirit matured for nearly 4 years in magnificent oak barrels before it was ready to be bottled.

"It's a rare single estate whisky which is natural, unfiltered and strikes the perfect balance of rich complexity and approachability."

Over 5,500 people signed up for news about the release from the distillery and a lucky few will be able to sample the drink on a first come, first served basis.

Mr Russell added: "We focus on making incredible products – majoring on quality and customer enjoyment.

"Copper Rivet Distillery has been a multi-disciplinary distillery making award winning spirits including whisky since the very beginning.

"So far, all the products we've made have been well received and when it came to hand sanitiser, we answered a call to help and now continue to make a hand sanitiser product that people love using.

"We're a small, family run, local business and don't have a big marketing budget, so we believe that by making the very best products on the market, people will gravitate towards them and they'll succeed."

The whisky is set for supermarket shelves in time for Christmas.

The distillery is also hoping to open its new Pumphouse restaurant on November 5, which will specialise in Kent food and drink.

Mr Russell said: "Covid permitting, this should add yet another element to to the distillery's not inconsiderable tourism offering."

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