In a unique and exciting collaboration, the popular British rock band The Feeling has partnered with Wicstun Distillery, an East Yorkshire-based distillery, to launch a new toffee vodka, playfully named “12 Shots & Home.” This new drink serves as a tribute to the band’s debut album, “12 Stops & Home,” and harks back to their early days performing in the ski resorts of Meribel, in the French Alps, where toffee vodka was their drink of choice.
A nostalgic nod to The Feeling’s roots
The Feeling, which formed in 2005, has origins that reach back to the late 1990s. Band members Dan Gillespie Sells (vocals and guitar), Richard Jones (bass guitar), Kevin Jeremiah (guitar), Ciaran Jeremiah (keyboards), and Paul Stewart (drums) all met while studying at the prestigious BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology in Croydon. Initially, they performed together in cover bands across the French Alps, a period during which they developed their distinctive sound and solidified their bond as a group.
The band’s name, inspired by a bar in Paris called “Le Feeling,” reflects the emotive and sentimental qualities that would go on to define their music. This latest project, the “12 Shots & Home” toffee vodka, ties back to their beginnings in the Alps, bringing their journey full circle.
Launch event at Cottingham Folk Festival
The new vodka was officially launched on Friday, 23rd August 2024, in Cottingham, near Hull, during The Feeling’s headline performance at the Cottingham Folk Festival. The event marked a significant moment for both the band and Wicstun Distillery, with a lively crowd eager to experience the new product.
The launch was met with enthusiasm, with attendees showing a strong interest in the band’s latest venture. The Feeling’s performance culminated in a celebratory opening of the first bottle of “12 Shots & Home” on stage, a moment that was met with cheers from the audience. The band then paid tribute to their time in the French Alps by performing a rousing cover of the Beastie Boys’ “Fight For Your Right to Party,” ensuring the night ended on a high note.
The partnership with Wicstun Distillery
Wicstun Distillery, a relatively new player in the spirits industry, was founded in 2022 by husband-and-wife duo Jago and Lisa Packer in Market Weighton. Despite being a small business, their passion for crafting unique spirits has quickly garnered attention, and this collaboration with The Feeling presents an opportunity to showcase their products beyond Yorkshire.
Jago Packer, Director of Wicstun Distillery, expressed his excitement about the partnership:
“We are extremely proud to be working with The Feeling on this project. The collaboration is a result of an introduction by our daughter, Emily, who works with The Feeling and Sophie Ellis Bextor’s band. This is a wonderful opportunity for a small East Yorkshire business to showcase our products outside of Yorkshire, and hopefully, it will lead to other collaborations.”
The Feeling’s enthusiasm for the project
The Feeling’s members have expressed their excitement about the launch, seeing it as a way to relive their early days while sharing a piece of their history with their fans. Dan Gillespie Sells, the band’s lead singer and guitarist, said, “We are looking forward to working with Wicstun Distillery on this project. Just a whiff of toffee vodka and I’m transported back to the band’s spiritual home in the mountains. This delicious stuff has been the fuel for many a wild gig!”
Richard Jones, the band’s bassist, echoed these sentiments, adding, “It’s exciting to have our own vodka, which brings back so many wonderful memories of France and the early days of the band.”
A promising future for the collaboration
The launch of “12 Shots & Home” has already garnered considerable interest, and there is hope that this collaboration will lead to further projects between The Feeling and Wicstun Distillery. As a small business with a passion for quality and innovation, Wicstun Distillery’s partnership with a well-known band like The Feeling opens the door to new opportunities and audiences.
Fans of The Feeling, as well as those who appreciate finely crafted spirits, will likely be eager to get their hands on a bottle of this unique toffee vodka. Whether as a nostalgic nod to the band’s origins or as a delightful new addition to their liquor cabinet, “12 Shots & Home” promises to be a hit both on and off the stage.
For more information, you can visit Wicstun Distillery’s website at www.wicstun-distillery.co.uk.
