This is a venture that had a slightly unconventional start. Bart Smithers, a well established documentary and wildlife filmmaker based in Cape town, South Africa, is also an experienced hobby distiller. Amanda, the sensible one of the pair, suggested to go commercial as the large 400 L, 200 year old copper still he renovated, may be slightly dangerous to run in the garage with an open flame, especially living in a thatched roof house.

So was the birth of Free Spirit Distilling (PTY)LTD. The first commercial product after 3 years of planning and hard work, the 'New Chapter Gin' range recieved a wonderful helping boost when Chapter 1, won a 2020 double gold in a blind tasting at the coveted Michelangelo International awards, the most respected wine and Spirits competition in Africa, pre-official release.