The brand name 'Campfire Gin' was thought up in February 2014, whilst the name Puddingstone Distillery was finalised in November of the same year. In February 2015, the owners were granted their home-distilling licence by HMRC, officially the first licence of its type to be issued in Hertfordshire. In June of the same year Puddingstone Distillery entered "Dacorum's Den", a Dragon's Den-style grant scheme administered by Dacorum Borough Council aimed to support local businesses, from which they obtained a £1000 grant. Five months later, Puddingstone Distillery launched a successful crowdfunding campaign raising over £20,000. The following year, construction of the distillery's premises adjacent to the P E Mead & Sons Farm Shop in Wilstone commenced, and was completed in October of the same year. During this time, Puddingstone Distillery purchased two stills, a 50-litre still named Isabella, and a 200-litre still given the moniker Amelia; the names were selected via public vote on Facebook. On 11 November 2016, the distillery opened its doors and the company was formally launched with its first product, . Five months after its initial launch, Campfire London Dry Gin picked up the company's first award – a bronze medal at the 2017 Craft Spirits Awards. was released in March of the same year, followed by in April. Six months after Campfire Navy Strength Gin's release, it too picked up an award, as it was named 'Best Gin ' at the 2018 Craft Distillers Awards. During 2017, the distillery also launched its first partnership with a charitable organisation: Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. Flowers of the invasive Himalayan Balsam plant were picked from sites the HMWT manage, and were infused in Campfire Gin Special Edition No.1, proceeds from which went to the charity. , referred to as PUD PUD, was the first seasonal gin created by the distillery, and was launched in November 2017. Further awards would come Puddingstone Distillery's way in 2018, when they were awarded a trio of silver medals at the 2018 IWSC. In May of the same year, Puddingstone Distillery joined the Gin Guild, an organisation set up by the Worshipful Company of Distillers. A cask aged version of PUD PUD was launched in November 2018 followed by a cherry version in 2019. was rated . On 15 January 2019, Puddingstone Distillery's Campfire London Dry Gin was named winner of the 'World's Best Martini Challenge'. Four months later Puddingstone Distillery launched . Puddingstone once again teamed up with a local charity in 2019, this time with the Box Moor Trust. The Box Moor Trust manages Roughdown Common, a SSSI, on which grows Hertfordshire's only known crop of naturally regenerating juniper. After harvesting the berries, Puddingstone Distillery created '1594 The Spirit of Box Moor', in order to celebrate the Trust's 425th Anniversary. The gin was launched on 11 October 2019 with proceeds going to the charity. Puddingstone Distillery have a shop that opens on Fridays and Saturdays 9.30am to 5pm where you can take part in a gin tasting experience. Puddingstone Distillery also run gin tours on Thursday evenings. The distillery takes its name from Hertfordshire puddingstone, a conglomeratesedimentary rock that is found almost exclusively in Hertfordshire. Hertfordshire puddingstone is referred to in local folklore as having several supernatural powers, including the warding off of evil spirits.
