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A UK spirits business behind a gin and rum brand has entered liquidation after appointing insolvency practitioners earlier this month, according to official filings. Gorilla Spirits Company Limited, which trades from Manor Farm Yard in Upton Grey, Hampshire, was placed into a Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation on April 16, 2026. The process was initiated by both members and creditors, meaning the company's directors agreed it could not continue in its current form and opted to wind the business up under insolvency procedures rather than continue trading.

The company, registered under number 11219747, also lists a registered office at Higher Sitcott House in St Giles-On-The-Heath, Launceston. Its stated nature of business is classified as "Other food services" under SIC code 56290, although it has been publicly associated with spirits production and branding through its Gorilla Spirits range, promoted via its website gorillabrands.co.uk.

Two joint liquidators have been appointed to oversee the process: Mark David Charles Hopkins and Rachel Elizabeth Ennis of FTS Recovery Limited, based in Lutterworth, Leicestershire.

They will be responsible for collecting and realising company assets, investigating financial affairs, and distributing any proceeds to creditors in line with insolvency law. A contact at FTS Recovery has been named as Isha Bumiya for further enquiries.

Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation is typically used when directors acknowledge a company is insolvent or no longer viable. It differs from compulsory liquidation, which is ordered by a court, in that it is initiated internally by the company's leadership.

In practical terms, it usually results in the cessation of trading, staff redundancies where applicable, and the sale of assets to repay outstanding debts as far as possible.

The filing does not set out the specific reasons for the collapse. No formal statement has been issued by the company at the time of publication. The business has been approached for comment.

Despite the insolvency proceedings, the company's online presence remains visible, including customer-facing platforms and listings.

A Google business profile associated with Gorilla Spirits shows a 4.9-star rating based on user reviews, indicating strong customer sentiment at least at the point when reviews were accumulated.

However, online ratings do not reflect financial stability and can often lag behind operational difficulties within a business.

The situation highlights the volatility in parts of the UK's craft spirits and hospitality-adjacent sectors, where small producers often face high production costs, tight margins, and exposure to shifting consumer demand and distribution challenges.

While premium branding and strong customer reviews can support sales, they do not necessarily insulate companies from cashflow pressures or broader market conditions.

FTS Recovery Limited will now manage the liquidation process, including communications with creditors and any potential sale of intellectual property, stock, or brand assets. Further updates are expected to emerge through formal insolvency notices as the process continues.

The company and FTS Recovery have been contacted for comment.