When the Bubbles Burst: What the Gin to My Tonic Collapse Means for Small Gin Brands

...and why our Jelly Legs Gold win feels even more bittersweet. The world of craft gin is vibrant, passionate, and fiercely independent. It’s built by people who pour their hearts into every bottle - often quite literally - and it thrives on community spirit. So when a major player like The Gin to My Tonic festival suddenly collapses, it doesn’t just cancel an event. It pulls the rug from under dozens of small, independent brands working hard to stay afloat in a competitive industry.

At Townhead Farm, we’ve experienced both the highs and lows of this industry in quick succession. In early July, we were absolutely thrilled to share that our Jelly Legs Bramble Gin was awarded a prestigious Gold Medal at the Global Spirits Masters 2025. It was our very first time entering a competition, and to walk away with a gold was - frankly - overwhelming.

Gold Medal at the Global Spirits Masters 2025

But just days later, we were hit by the news that The Gin to My Tonic - a major gin festival we were due to trade at this October - had gone into liquidation.

Like many small producers, we had invested not only money but also time, stock planning, and marketing strategy around this event. These festivals are one of the rare chances for small-batch gins to meet curious customers face-to-face, share our stories, and build a following. The cancellation has created a domino effect of confusion, lost funds, and broken trust across the industry.

We aren’t the only ones reeling. Our good friend Andy Samuel of Shipyard Gin - the very person who helped us navigate our way into the gin world - summed it up perfectly:

“Another story that starts with passion and ends with silence... Brands paid thousands of pounds to pour at these festivals. Many struggled to even break even, writing it off as a marketing cost, just to be seen, to tell their story, to reach new customers.”

And he’s right. Passion might start the journey, but integrity must sustain it. Many brands are now chasing refunds, and loyal customers are left wondering where their money went. With two companies reportedly involved - one now in liquidation and one still trading - accountability feels hard to find.

For small producers like us, this kind of uncertainty is not just frustrating, it’s damaging. We rely on every event, every tasting, every word-of-mouth moment to grow.

And yet - we keep going.

Because while the Gin to My Tonic situation has knocked us sideways, we are still standing tall with pride for what we’ve achieved. That Gold Medal wasn’t just for the gin - it was for the story, the people behind it, and the tiny lamb called Jelly Legs, who overcame the odds and has become the mascot of our farm.

We’ll continue to share our gin at local markets, collaborate with fellow producers, and support honest, community-driven events that lift up small brands instead of leaving them behind.

So, if you're wondering how to support independent makers right now - it’s simple:

Buy local. Talk to the producers. Share their stories. And most of all, show up for them - not just in celebration, but when the bubbles burst too.

Find out more about Jelly Legs Bramble Gin and where to buy it here. You can also check out our original Gold Medal announcement here.