DropWorks Rum Distillery Surpasses Crowdfunding Target, Raising Nearly £500K

DropWorks Rum Distillery, based in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, has smashed its crowdfunding goal — raising £437,816 (US$587,855 approx.) from nearly 300 investors and proving there’s a serious appetite for British-made rum.

A Record-Breaking First Crowdfunding Campaign

Founded in 2023 by Lewis Hayes, DropWorks Rum Distillery launched its first crowdfunding campaign in late August on the Crowdcube platform. The initiative invited the public to invest in the company’s vision of promoting premium UK rum and become part-owners of its journey.

The campaign exceeded all expectations, closing with 295 investors and surpassing the original funding goal.

“We’ve been absolutely blown away by the response,” said Hayes, founder of DropWorks, in a statement shared with The Spirits Business. “This support means so much and will help us shake up the rum world in the UK. It’s amazing to see so many people excited about our brand and future.”

Turning Vision into Growth

Hayes credited the success to his team’s extensive background in hospitality and spirits.
“With decades of combined experience running and leading some of the industry’s best bars and drinks brands, we’re uniquely positioned to disrupt the rum category,” he explained. “Every week, we’re delivering our Drops to more and more top-tier venues.”

Indeed, DropWorks Rum Distillery already has its products in more than 400 premium venues, including a third of the UK’s top 50 bars and Michelin-starred restaurants such as The Clove Club, Dorian, Moor Hall, Adam Handling, and The Pig Hotels.

Rewarding Investors with Unique Experiences

Investors in the campaign received exclusive perks that extended beyond traditional shares. Rewards included:

• Lifetime discounts on DropWorks rums
• Limited-edition bottles from the distillery’s maturing casks
• An exclusive investor evening featuring a rum masterclass hosted by Hayes himself

These experiences reinforced the company’s mission to connect directly with rum enthusiasts and create a community around high-quality, UK-distilled rum.

A Team Fueled by Passion and Purpose

Graham Appleyard, CEO of DropWorks Rum Distillery, expressed pride in the campaign’s outcome.

“We’re thrilled to have surpassed our crowdfunding target,” Appleyard told The Spirits Business. “As a startup, there’s always that thrill — and uncertainty — when inviting people to invest in your vision. But the response confirmed what we already believed: people want to be part of DropWorks.”

Appleyard also shared optimism about the future of the rum category:
“We believe rum is about to have its ‘moment,’ just like gin did a few years ago. More consumers are embracing it, both in bars and at home, and our growth reflects that momentum.”

Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for DropWorks

With the funds raised, DropWorks Rum Distillery plans to expand its distribution, grow brand visibility, and bring its rums to even more venues across the UK. The distillery also welcomed Greg Matthew, CFO of PJ Capital, as a new non-executive director — a move that strengthens its leadership for the next phase of growth.

Appleyard concluded, “We’re proud to make rum in the heart of Nottinghamshire, and this campaign showed just how much people believe in that mission. To everyone who invested — thank you. The best is yet to come.”

In Summary

• DropWorks Rum Distillery raised nearly £500,000 through Crowdcube, exceeding its target.
• The campaign attracted 295 investors passionate about British rum.
• Investors received unique rewards like limited-edition bottles and masterclasses.
• The distillery now serves 400+ high-end venues across the UK.
• Leadership expansion signals a strong next chapter for DropWorks.

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Source of Information

The Spirits Business Article — DropWorks breaks crowdfunding target, written by Miona Madsen

The image of the article is courtesy of ©Hamdi Kandi via Canva.com