Meet Emma Brigham & Graham Mills - The partnership behind Walnut Tree Distillery

Meet the owners behind the local business!

Emma Brigham and Graham Mills are the partnership behind Walnut Tree Distillery.  Emma was born and raised in Norfolk, in the village where her ancestors can be traced back over 500 years.  Graham moved to Norfolk just over 20 years ago when he took a job as a research chemist in Norwich.  They met at UEA when Emma was training as a teacher and Graham was working in environmental sciences. 

Emma and Graham both have a background in Science, having studied Astronomy and Chemistry respectively at university.  Whilst Graham stayed on in academia, Emma went on to work at the London Stock Exchange before moving back to her family home in Norfolk and retraining in education.  It was, however, their common love of gin that led them into the business of distilling.  

The farm on which the distillery is located was bought by Emma’s great grandfather over 100 years ago and the family continue to farm there today.  Her grandfather was born in the local pub, The Fox in Lyng, so its fitting that Walnut Tree’s gins can be found behind the bar there today.

Emma and Graham want their products to reflect the Norfolk countryside in which they are made and because of this they include botanicals from around the farm in all of their gins.  Graham is responsible for the full distilling process and has used his raft of experience from years of organic chemistry to help fine-tune their gin production.  Emma works primarily on the creative elements of the business producing marketing materials, social media and web content.  She is also responsible for the flavour profiles of all the gins.

When they are not busy distilling they both enjoy a bit of down time in the many pubs of Norfolk or can be found at Carrow Road enjoying their second passion in life, football.