Tinner Bros Whisky – from Cornwall to North Devon
From the Tin Mines of Cornwall to the Shores of North Devon: Discover Tinner Bros Whisky at Johns of Appledore and Johns of Instow
There are few places in the UK where heritage, landscape, food and drink are tied together quite like they are in the South West. From the dramatic cliffs of Cornwall to the sandy estuary views of North Devon, this corner of the country is built on stories of hardworking communities, coastal traditions, and proud local flavours. It’s exactly why we’re so excited to now stock Tinner Bros Whisky in both Johns of Appledore and Johns of Instow — with tasting samples currently available in both stores for customers to discover the range for themselves.
Tinner Bros is more than just whisky. It’s a celebration of Cornwall’s mining heritage, rebellious spirit and love of good times, all bottled up into a bold and distinctive range that feels right at home here in the West Country.
At Johns, we’ve always loved products with a story behind them. Whether it’s locally roasted coffee, Devon-made ice cream, handpicked crab, or freshly baked pastries, we believe food and drink should connect people to a place. Tinner Bros does exactly that.
The Story Behind Tinner Bros
The inspiration behind Tinner Bros comes from Cornwall’s legendary tin miners — men who spent long days underground in some of the toughest working conditions imaginable. Tin mining shaped Cornwall for centuries, influencing everything from its economy and culture to its landscape and traditions.
According to the Tinner Bros legend, two mining brothers worked by day in the Cornish mines and secretly distilled whisky by night, creating their own rebellious spirit away from the watchful eyes of authority. That story now forms the backbone of the brand’s identity, celebrating grit, camaraderie and the character of Cornwall itself. The whisky range is blended on the Cornish coast by master distiller Tarquin Leadbetter, also known for creating Tarquin’s Gin, another hugely successful South West brand.
The branding is unapologetically bold, fun and modern, but underneath it sits genuine respect for Cornish history and craftsmanship.
Cornwall’s Tin Mining Legacy
To understand why Tinner Bros resonates so strongly with people across Devon and Cornwall, you have to appreciate just how important tin mining was to the region.
Cornwall’s relationship with tin dates back thousands of years — so far back that historians believe Cornish tin was traded across Europe during the Bronze Age. The county became world-famous for its mining expertise, with generations of families working underground extracting tin and copper from deep beneath the rugged coastline.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, Cornwall was one of the world’s leading mining regions. Engine houses towered above the cliffs, steam engines powered massive mining operations, and entire communities grew around the industry. Mining wasn’t just work — it shaped daily life, local traditions and even food.
The landscape of Cornwall still carries the marks of that history today. Visitors driving through the county can spot old mine chimneys and engine houses scattered dramatically across hillsides and cliff edges. Places like Botallack, Geevor and Levant Mine remain iconic reminders of Cornwall’s industrial past. (Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape UNESCO Site)
Mining life was incredibly demanding. Men often worked long shifts underground in dangerous conditions, travelling miles through tunnels with little light, heat or comfort. Naturally, miners needed food that was hearty, filling and practical to carry — which leads perfectly to one of the South West’s most famous creations: the pasty.
The Cornish Pasty Connection
Few foods are more associated with Cornwall than the Cornish pasty. Originally designed as a portable meal for miners, the thick crimped edge allowed workers to hold the pasty with dirty hands underground and discard the crust afterwards if needed.
Traditionally filled with beef, potato, swede and onion, the pasty became the ultimate working lunch — durable enough to survive a morning in a miner’s pocket and filling enough to keep workers going through physically exhausting days.
Today, the Cornish pasty has protected status, meaning only pasties made in Cornwall following the traditional recipe can officially be called a “Cornish Pasty.” And while we’ll happily acknowledge Cornwall’s ownership of the name, here in Devon we know a thing or two about making an excellent pasty ourselves.
At Johns of Appledore and Johns of Instow, our pasties may be proudly made in Devon, but they deliver everything you’d want from a great West Country pasty — golden pastry, generous fillings and proper comfort-food satisfaction.
In fact, pairing a warm pasty with a smooth whisky sample might just be one of the best combinations you can enjoy on a coastal day out.
Discovering the Tinner Bros Range
One of the things we love most about Tinner Bros is how approachable the range is. Whether you’re a lifelong whisky enthusiast or somebody who usually avoids whisky altogether, there’s something in the collection worth trying.
Their Miner’s Reserve Whisky is perhaps the closest to a traditional whisky experience. Aged in PX sherry and ex-honey bourbon barrels, it delivers warming notes of dried fruit, oak, vanilla and butterscotch, giving it a smooth, rich finish that works beautifully neat or over ice.
Alongside this, the flavoured whisky liqueurs bring a more playful side to the range. Black Spiced leans into rich, dark spice flavours perfect for colder evenings. Wild Cherry brings fruity depth, while Toffee Nut is smooth, indulgent and dangerously easy to drink.
What makes these bottles stand out is that they don’t take themselves too seriously. They’re designed for sharing, gifting and enjoying socially — whether that’s around a fire pit, at a beach barbecue, or after a long walk along the coast.
Why Tinner Bros Fits Perfectly at Johns
At Johns of Appledore and Johns of Instow, we’ve always aimed to create more than just a shop. We want our stores to reflect the best of the South West — great local flavours, relaxed coastal hospitality and products people genuinely get excited about discovering.
That’s why Tinner Bros feels like such a natural addition to our shelves.
Our customers already love exploring regional products, whether it’s Devon cheeses, chutneys, local beers, artisan coffee or fresh deli items. Tinner Bros adds another layer to that experience — something with strong regional identity, real storytelling and fantastic flavour.
We also love introducing customers to products through sampling. It gives people the chance to try something new without commitment and creates those great conversations that independent food retail is built around.
Right now, customers visiting either Johns of Appledore or Johns of Instow can sample the Tinner Bros range in store. Whether you’re curious about whisky for the first time or looking for a unique gift bottle, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover your favourite flavour.
A Perfect Coastal Pairing
There’s something wonderfully fitting about enjoying products inspired by Cornwall’s rugged mining coast while overlooking the estuary in North Devon.
Picture the scene: a walk along Instow beach, cyclists rolling through on the Tarka Trail, the Appledore ferry crossing the water, seagulls overhead and the smell of fresh coffee and pastries drifting from the café. Add a hot pasty, a scoop of local ice cream or a bottle of Tinner Bros to take home, and you’ve got a proper taste of the South West.
The connection between Devon and Cornwall has always been strong. Friendly rivalry? Absolutely. Debate over cream-first or jam-first? Constantly. But at the heart of it, both counties share a deep pride in local produce, hardworking heritage and coastal living.
That’s exactly why we’re proud to stock Tinner Bros Whisky.
So next time you visit Johns of Appledore or Johns of Instow, stop by and discover the range for yourself. Try a sample, chat with the team, pick up a bottle, and maybe grab one of our Devon-made pasties while you’re here too.
Because whether it’s whisky inspired by Cornish tin miners or fresh food served by the North Devon coast, the South West has always known how to do things properly.
