Hooting Owl Distillery York Reviews 243

TrustScore 5 out of 5

4.9

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers consistently praise the quality of the products, especially the gins and rums, highlighting their delicious flavors and unique characteristics. Many people also commend the efficient delivery service, noting its speed and reliability. The staff, particularly the guides like Tom, are frequently mentioned for their extensive knowledge, enthusiasm, and engaging personalities, which significantly enhance the customer experience during tours and tastings. However, some customers also noted minor issues such as excessive packaging with their orders or initial shipping period indications that might deter potential buyers. A few people also felt that while the overall experience was good, some products were a bit expensive.

What people talk about most

Product

Consumers are highly satisfied with the product, consistently praising its excellent quality and delightful... See more

Delivery service

Reviewers mention positive feedback about delivery service. Customers consistently praise the speed of... See more

Quality

People report positive experiences with quality. Customers consistently praise the excellent aroma and... See more

Staff

Customers consistently note positive experiences with staff. Reviewers frequently praise the team for being... See more

Order

Clients share positive opinions on order. Many customers praise the ease of ordering from the website and the... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I tried a few Hooting Owl gins at a charity event early in July and realised quickly that the West Yorkshire one was likely to become a firm favourite with the East Yorkshire, whilst very different, n... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Went into the pub and loved the place, the staff were knowledgeable and talked enthusiastically about the rums, vodkas and gins distilled on site. They let us sample a couple of drinks and we were... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

From start to finish the tour was just brilliant and so much fun. Tom is a great host, so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the distillery and all it's products. We tasted so much quality gin and r... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fab place, good food and great gins. The tour/gin tasting was a great experience, Tom our guide is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humour. The gins are all really good, some great flavours... See more


Company details

  1. #11 of 24 best companies in Distillery
  2. #3 of 11 best companies in Bar

Written by the company

The Hooting Owl Distillery, based within the ancient city walls of York, we take inspiration and flavours from around the Yorkshire region to create a top-quality range of hand-crafted, small batch spirits. The company’s was founded at Barmby Moor House, once a famous public house and iconic coaching inn, is steeped in history spanning several centuries. Tired horses would be changed here after the gruelling journey from York over ‘The Black Moor’ and it’s reputed that a young Queen Victoria stayed at the house, the master bedroom still being known today as The Queen’s Room in her honour. Making good use of the extensive old stable building at Barmby Moor House, Hooting Owl is home to a fully equipped craft distillery, expertly distilling a range of traditional dry gins and other premium craft spirits combining a carefully researched and selected blend of botanicals. Inspired by the story of the house itself and by the geography, culinary heritage and abundant produce of Yorkshire, Hooting Owl also adds a hint of family and military history to the mix. The Story of Sir Owlfred The curious, whimsical story of The Hooting Owl Distillery and the legend of Sir Owlfred Tyton Hodgins, is as captivating and mysterious as the history of Barmby Moor House itself. When Dom acquired the old Yorkshire manor house at Barmby Moor in 2017, they embarked on an extensive restoration of the historic property. It was as the couple were refurbishing the old scullery that they stumbled across an intriguing, concealed floor safe which had belonged to a former resident of Barmby Moor House, Sir Owlfred Tyton Hodgins. Hiding within was a single bottle of Sir Owlfred’s Hooting Owl Signature Gin and an old book containing many of his secret recipes. Tied carefully to the book was a small diary of his development journey which he had titled ‘A Tour of Yorkshire’. The diary, embellished with drawings of his distillery, clearly showed it had been located in the stable buildings to the back of the house, buildings which still existed, albeit in a somewhat dilapidated state. This extraordinary discovery began a new, exciting chapter in the Hooting Owl story. Dom, as Sir Owlfred had done before them, set out on a journey which was to draw inspiration from all four corners of Yorkshire to lovingly distil a range of high quality artisan spirits in the very location it was thought to have begun in 1865. Today, the ethos of The Hooting Owl Distillery is heavily influenced by Yorkshire and is intrinsically woven with the story of Sir Olwlfed, the name Hooting Owl deriving from the prominent golden owl statue that takes pride of place above the entrance to the house – affectionately addressed as Sir Owlfred Tyton Hodgins.


Contact info

4.9

Excellent

TrustScore 5 out of 5

243 reviews

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing tour

Amazing tour. Really informative and brilliantly presented by Tom.

11 September 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

Fantastic, website is great easy to find which rum I wanted. Delivery was quick, quicker than I expected
Would highly recommend

1 September 2025
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Had a great time

Had a great time, on the gin tour with Tom. Really good tour, excellent experience, nice surprise gift at the end to make the day even better. Well done Dom, and your team . This is just the sort of venue, York needs

5 September 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A hidden gem with a great decor and relaxed atmosphere.

Went into the pub and loved the place, the staff were knowledgeable and talked enthusiastically about the rums, vodkas and gins distilled on site.
They let us sample a couple of drinks and we were hooked, the Mocha rum is amazing. We immediately ordered some bottles to enjoy at home.

There is also an option to have a tour of the distillery and to have a private tasting session which we will be booking on our next visit.

18 August 2025
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A group of us did the gin tasting and…

A group of us did the gin tasting and it was so enjoyable and informative. The host, Mark, was engaging and knowledgeable about the subject. The venue is beautiful, so comfortable and great decor, we ended up staying for the remainder of the afternoon. Would definitely recommend the gin tasting or as a great place to visit for a drink.

18 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Attended the Distillery Tour and Gin Tasting!

Attended the Distillery Tour and Gin Tasting yesterday! What a fab experience! Tom was great, very knowledgeable and funny! The gins were good and his explanation for each them was interesting and well received! Would highly recommend, well worth a visit!

14 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant Tour

From start to finish the tour was just brilliant and so much fun. Tom is a great host, so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the distillery and all it's products. We tasted so much quality gin and rum which made it terrific value for money with the personalised gin glass the icing on the cake.

7 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous

Fab place, good food and great gins. The tour/gin tasting was a great experience, Tom our guide is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humour. The gins are all really good, some great flavours,you won't want to go for a green bottle again! Really good value for money, welcome signature gin, lots of tasting gins, another gin at the end of the tour and then a decent discount on bottles and a little gift too, I won't spoil the surprise. Honestly a fab experience

9 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

What a "hoot"!!

What a "hoot"!!
5 Girls from Hull went to the Hooting Owl on Saturday 12th July and we have a tremendous time!!!! We eat on arrival before the Gin Tour, the food was excellent albeit we only sampled the pizza.
We were accompanied by manager Tom who gave us an excellent tour of the distillery which was really informative. We were then allowed to taste several of their gins and we went to town with the tasting!!!!
Our tour included two free gins and gin glasses each engraved with our names. We thought that this was excellent value for money and would highly recommend. The Hooting Owl staff really looked after us and Tom was a fabulous host. Thanks very much from Us All we had a great day and thoroughly enjoyed all the gins!!! Watch out we will return so get distilling!!!!

12 July 2025
Unprompted review

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