FIVE MINUTES WITH

Five Minutes with Dimple Yuen

Nicole Slater meets Hong Kong’s first female distiller and co-founder of Two Moons Distillery

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dimple Yuen is the city’s first female gin distiller and co-founder of Two Moons Distillery.

Taking inspiration from her parents, who are successful entrepreneurs themselves, Yuen and her partner Ivan Chang set up the micro distillery in 2017 with a mission to showcase local flavours and put Hong Kong on the map.

The distillery, located in Chai Wan is home to Yuen’s pride and joy, Luna. Named after its moon shaped helmet, the stiller is one of the smallest in the world, producing just 100 bottles per batch. The custom-built copper machine took over a year to craft and offers a unique distillery experience. Her signature dry gin is made up of 12 botanicals, six of which are local flavours including Chinese apricot kernels and tangerine peels, in order to reflect her Hong Kong roots.

It’s hard to believe Yuen’s background is in programming. Her love for the spirit and determination to step outside the box compelled her to start her distillery journey.

“One of my biggest milestones was becoming the first gin from Hong Kong to win silver at the prestigious World Gin Awards 2020 London Dry Gin category,” says Yuen. The win came as a result of a two year long journey working with relevant government parties to acquire all the necessary licenses, equipment and know-hows to establish a gin distillery in Hong Kong.

“As challenging as it was, the entire experience was rewardingly worthwhile and definitely one of the proudest goals I’ve ever achieved,” says Yuen.

Although gin production is still rather niche in the city, Yuen finds that Hong Kong is a great starting point for anyone to achieve their dreams and encourages others to take the first step. “This city is full of people naturally equipped with the city’s ‘can-do spirit’ and the competitive landscape gives rise to new ideas and exciting inspiration.”

While the past year has been a challenge Yuen has shown us that determination, grit and hard work can really pay off. “My parents once told me: if you can solve the problem, there is no need for worrying. At the same time, if you cannot solve the problem, then what is the use of worrying? This piece of advice was one that I carried with me during my entrepreneurial endeavors this past year and it has quickly become one of my favorite sayings to date.”

twomoonsdistillery.com