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The Worshipful Company of Distillers

The arms consist of the sun, with a cloud distilling drops of rain above a double armed still with two worms and receivers, with a crest consisting of a barley “garbe” wreathed by a vine branch bearing grapes. The arms are flanked by supporters, described in the grant as a “Russe” and an “Indian savage”.

Whilst the symbolism is unclear, the “Russian” is thought to represent Baltic rye and barley; and the “Indian savage” the source of the exotic “botanicals” (namely: cardamom, coriander seed and other herbs and spices) which were imported to Britain from the islands of the East Indies to be mixed with the spirit according to the distiller’s special recipe.