Kindred Spirits

From heritage distilleries to family makers and new crafters, the UK and Ireland are brimming with master blenders and unique spirits that are raising the bar. With creativity, legacy and sustainability at their core, these distilleries are well worth hitting the road for...

SILENT POOL

Situated on the Albury Estate in the heart of the Surrey Hills, the distillery sits adjacent to its namesake, The Silent Pool, a tranquil body of water that dates back to the Ice Age. Distilled from 24 different botanicals, which are collected where possible from the local area, Silent Pool Gin uses Bosnian juniper berries, liquorice root, cassia bark, orris and bergamot, alongside honey sourced from a neighbouring beekeeper, in its secret recipe. The distillers work closely with local farms and fruit producers in the area and uses their leftover fruit to make limitededition small-batch gins, including Blackberry and Damson Gin, Apricot Aperitivo, and Greengage Gin.

Silent Pool

ADNAMS SOUTHWOLD

Situated on the picturesque Southwold coast in East Suffolk, Adnams have been brewing beer for over 150 years. This family-run firm was the first brewery to be legally allowed to open a distillery in 2005. And within six months, The Copper House was producing award-winning spirits, such as Copper House Dry Gin, which carried off ‘The World’s Best Gin’ trophy in 2013. The Adnams distillery tour is a must.

The Adnams distillery tour

HENLEY DISTILLERY

A recent addition to the UK distillery family, The Henley Distillery was founded in 2021 by 28-year-old Master Distiller Jacob Wilson. Headquartered from a restored threshing barn just outside Henley-on-Thames, its smallbatch, single-shot sipping gins have already bagged a number of industry accolades. One of only a handful of distilleries in the UK owned and run by a Master Distiller, The Henley Distillery range includes the multiple award-winning Henley Gin Classic Dry – giving a contemporary twist on a London Dry; and The Henley Gin Oriental Spiced – a complex blend of rich spices inspired by the Silk Road. Guests see the distillery in action, learn about the history of gin and, of course, taste several of the gins before creating a bottle of their very own using a mini copper still and choosing from a library of over 100 botanicals.

Henley Gin

SILVER CIRCLE

This Welsh distillery in the Monmouthshire village of Catbrook has a craft spirit range that includes the award-winning Silver Circle Aquavit, Wye Valley Gin, Black Garlic Vodka, and its Botanical Vodka No.1. The distillery recently opened a new tasting room and shop in the heart of Chepstow, providing the perfect place to savour the fine range of Silver Circle’s spirits. The shop offers gin taster boards, make-your-own-gin experiences, and tutored tasting sessions.

Silver Circle tutored tasting sessions

SALCOMBE GIN

Salcombe Gin cofounders Howard Davies and Angus Lugsdin met some 20 years ago when they were teaching sailing locally. The company was born out of their love for gin and their desire to start a local business. Success came quickly and today The Boathouse is home to the mighty Provident still and bar, which overlooks the water. Made with hand-sourced ingredients and water from Dartmoor, there are several varietals, including the award-winning Start Point.

Salcombe Gin

BERRY BROS & RUDD

By appointment to the late Queen and King Charles III, London’s Berry Bros & Rudd specialise in only the finest and most fascinating spirits. It has a history dating back to 1698 , and visitors may enjoy tastings at their leisure. Experiences include a luxurious lunch or dinner to complement the tasting in one of their finest of spaces, such as the William and Mary Townhouse and Sussex Cellar at 3 St James’ St, one of London's premier addresses.

Berry Bros & Rudd

BOATYARD DISTILLERY

This award-winning farm-to-bottle distillery on the banks of Lough Erne in Enniskillen was founded in 2013 by Joe McGirr in a disused boatyard near his brother Joe’s farm, who harvests the native botanical sweet gale (aka bog myrtle), which, along with juniper berries, helps give Boatyard spirits their unique taste and provenance. Boatyard Double Gin is the signature brand, which takes its name from the double contact with juniper berries, giving it a uniquely floral and citrus sweet taste. Tasting tours will acquaint you with the full range, including Boatyard Vodka, Old Tom Gin, Sloe Boat Gin and Winter Solstice Gin.

Boatyard Vodka cocktail

ISLE OF BARRA

The most westerly distillery in Scotland, the Isle of Barra Distillers makes an Atlantic Gin infused with a key botanical – carrageen seaweed, which the brand is now famed for. In 2022, the distillery launched its first Island Dark Rum – strong, bold and rustic, much like the rocky east coastline, with a finish as smooth as the fine golden sands found on the west side of the island.

Isle of Barra Dark Rum

COLWITH FARM DISTILLERY

Cornwall’s only single-estate distillery is founded on five generations of farming and produces award-winning vodka and gin. Unlike distilleries that buy in mass-produced ethanol, Colwith makes everything from scratch, using potatoes grown on their family farm to create their Aval Dor (Cornish for potato) spirits sustainably. Its range of gins use a range of botanicals, including fresh lemon balm, rosemary and bay leaves, picked from the family’s grandmother's garden. This summer, Colwith launched the UK’s first ploughto-bottle vodka school, where guests can make their own bespoke vodka from Cornish potatoes. Guests are invited to craft, blend and fill their own 70cl bottle with flavoured Cornish vodka to take home, using a blend of botanicals to their taste. Alongside its vodka school, Colwith also offers gin experiences, tutored tastings and distillery tours.

Colwith Farm Distillery

IMAGES © KRYSTIAN KRZEWINSKI / JOHN PORTLOCK / COPYRIGHT DONAL MURPHY PHOTOGRAPHY

PEARSE LYONS

Pearse Lyons Distillery in The Liberties area of Dublin is situated in a deconsecrated old church, St James, which is only a hop, skip and a jump from the Guinness Open Gate Brewery, so the company here is convivial. Specialising in high-end whiskey and gin, one of the many highlights here is The Gin School. It's set in the distillery’s nearby early-20th-century townhouses, and students select their favourite botanicals to create a bespoke blend of gin in their own copper pot still, which they then bottle with a personalised label.

Pearse Lyons Distillery

Find out more

Contact the team at Dream Escape...

Sarah Butler, Marketing Executive

"Visiting craft distillers is a wonderful way to sample our fabulous destinations. Local influences and flavours ranging from woodland botanicals and foraged coastal berries to Christmas pudding and smoked honey will tempt even the most traditional gin lover. My favourite tipple would have to be an Adnams Orange and Sea Buckthorn gin enjoyed in the beautiful town of Aldeburgh on the Suffolk coast. Cheers! ⬥ sarah@dreamescape.co.uk

WORDS | JANE FREEMAN