About Proof & Cut

What we cover

The information a would-be distiller actually needs is scattered across equipment-vendor blogs, a withdrawn gov.uk page, Reddit threads and US business-plan sites. We bring it together in one current, UK-specific place: the operator essentials (licence, duty, costs, equipment, insurance) and a growing directory of UK distilleries and experiences.

Our approach

We are independent — not owned by a distillery, broker or trade body — and we keep guidance current as rules change (the 2025 move from DLA1 to APPA is a good example). Our content is editorial and is not legal, financial or insurance advice; always confirm specifics with HMRC, gov.uk and qualified professionals.

Some links are partner or affiliate links — for example specialist insurance — and we may earn a referral fee. That never affects what you pay and does not influence our editorial judgement; we disclose it on the page.

Who runs it

Founder and editor of Proof & Cut. A software developer and operator of independent UK commercial-property and small-business platforms, Taro built Proof & Cut to give distillery founders the current, UK-specific, independent guidance the sector lacks.

Published by Known by One LLC.