The Gin Explorer Book by Gin Festival Ltd

THE GIN EXPLORER BOOK SPRING/SUMMER EDITION 2017

O F F I C I A L E V E N T PA R T N E R

ALL PRODUCTS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY & POSSIBLE CHANGE GIN FESTIVAL LTD CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THE DRINKS SERVED HERE ARE FREE FROM NUTS, EGGS, SEAFOOD OR ANY OTHER ALLERGENS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED GIN FESTIVAL LTD,

CONTENTS WELCOME 3 THE PERFECT G&T 7 CROWDFUNDING 8 BAR A 13 MAKE YOUR OWN: GINTONIC GRANITA 28 DAY IN A LIFE OF: MASONS DISTILLERY 30 BAR B 32 MILK PUNCH 48 TELL US WHAT YOU HAVE DISCOVERED BAR C 52 QUIZ AND TONIC 66 THE SIMPLE GUIDE TO: MAKING SLOE GIN 69 BAR D 72 INTERVIEW WITH: SHAUN BEBINGTON 88 ABOUT US 94 GIN CHEAT SHEET 96 INDEX 98 1

HOW TO NAVIGATE GIN FESTIVAL BUY TOKENS

These are used for gin; bars do not take cash.

STUDY THE GIN BOOK Learn about the gins available at Gin Festival, and gin in general.

CHOOSE A GIN

Decide on a gin and go to the bar that matches with the bar in the book.

ADD A MIXER

After your chosen gin and appropriate garnish have been served add a Fever-Tree tonic or mixer.

Crowdfunding the next big thing in gin?

Crowdfunding is a thoroughly contemporary way to get great ideas up and running. It’s used to make new tech and design products a reality, to help people with illnesses and unexpected costs, and to get new businesses up and running. 8

Increasingly, those new businesses are distilleries, gin workshops or brand new gins. Crowdfunding, reaching out to other people with a similar view, who want to be a part of something exciting and new, has massively opened up opportunities to people who have a fantastic idea, solid knowledge of gin, or just need a little capital to getÂ going. Gins such as Yerburghâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jam Jar Gin, Tinker, and Lilliard have found themselves able to go into full scale production and places like Puddingstone Distillery, Graveney Distillery,

and Beinn an Tuirc Distillery have opened. Crowdfunding has given them the opportunity to get out there, and do it well. Gin has long been viewed as the middle or upper class drink. From the introduction of column stills and the refining of the spirit that took place in the nineteenth century, ginâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identity morphed from being the scourge of the drinking classes and became something firmly in the domain of the wealthy, upper classes. Until very recently, gin production remained the preserve of those with wealth,

be that investment bankers, large companies, individuals with private wealth or a family history in gin. No doubt that these groups are able to make (and have made) great gins but the capital requirement needed to build a distillery or start a new gin brand is immense. The inability to generate that kind of cash has left a vast wealth of untapped gin knowledge, enthusiasm and alternative ideas behind.

THE BLE AT AVAILALORER STAND P X GIN E

While the relaxation of centuries old gin laws in the 2000’s has helped to open up the industry to small batch distillers, newcomers and innovators. The ability to crowdfund has broadened the access to gin production even further. It’s difficult to totally fund a new gin or distillery through crowdfunding but it does take some of the pressure away from loans and savings. Niall of Beinn an Tuirc said that one of the reasons that they had chosen to crowdfund was

“to give us a bit more capital to undertake the works.” It’s investment without necessarily losing equity and allows the distillers and producers a great amount of freedom to create the gin they’ve always dreamed of. Crowdfunding for gin brings more than purely monetary benefits. Many of those involved in crowdfunding gins did so with the hope of raising their brand’s profile, or like Puddingstone Distillery, connecting with the local community. In terms of brand profile, crowdfunding helps push social media which loops back to help support the crowdfunding campaign itself. It also helps to show people what you’re all about and to becomes a real part of it. For Lilliard, crowdfunding was even more specifically about wanting to “give people the option to be in at the start”, while Tinker used it as

GIN AVA ABL AT BAIL RB E

a way “to judge whether other gin fans agreed with us, to see if they wanted the same kind of new gin as we did.” Crowdfunding has many uses but here at Gin Festival, our favourite thing to see done with it is definitely the creation of more gins. There’s so much room for experimentation and innovation that we think great things can be done with it.

Citrus Gins FOR THE GIN YOU WANT...

Enter ‘gin_crowd’ for free shipping!*

CHOOSE FROM OVER 300 GINS AND GIN RELATED GIFTS * One use per user only. Enter code at checkout to apply.

BAR A

1606 GIN

BLACKWOODS VINTAGE DRY 60

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS, ENGLAND

SHETLAND, SCOTLAND

A classic juniper-led London Dry Gin, 1606 Gin is flavoursome, yet incredibly smooth and delicate. Earthy pine is joined by citrus and a touch of angelica. It finishes on a delightfully peppery note. 1606 Gin is distilled using natural spring water from the South East’s only spa town, Royal Tunbridge Wells, as well as their own, organically grown Spanish lemons and oranges.

A fantastically strong offering from Blackwoods (at 60% this is the strongest gin at the festival); sharp, dry and complex. The floral notes on the nose are nicely balanced with juniper. There is a rich mouth feel with pleasant citrus flavours followed by a long, dry finish. Despite its navy strength ABV, Blackwoods 60% is a remarkably smooth gin!

GARNISH CUCUMBER PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH MINT AND LIME PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE AROMATIC TONIC

ABV 43%

ABV 60%

BAR A

BROCKMANS

CASPYN MIDSUMMER DRY GIN

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND

CORNWALL, LONDON

Brockmansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; unusual combination of botanicals creates a seductively smooth and well balanced gin. Luscious and bright, Brockmans is a firm move away from traditional dry gins. Bold berry essences add a sense of modern luxury. This is a sweet and innovative gin, with an emphasis on enjoyment over following the rules. Brockmans is a fabulous spirit with a taste like no other.

Carefully distilled with summer flora local to Cornwall as well as cucumber, Capsyn Midsummer Dry is both wonderfully refreshing and packs the punch of a quality dry gin. Fresh cucumber is apparent on the nose with subtle pine. The cucumber flavour continues through and dominates the gin, adding a subtle sweetness that refreshes and is followed by a burst of citrus peel.

GARNISH PINK GRAPEFRUIT AND BLUEBERRIES PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE GINGER ALE OR INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH CUCUMBER PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC OR LEMON TONIC

ABV 40%

BAR A

CITY OF LONDON DISTILLERY OLD TOM GIN

DAFFY’S

LONDON, ENGLAND

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

City of London Distillery Old Tom is an extremely traditional tasting Old Tom. A hint of sweetness combined with a light spice gives it a comforting warmth while lemon and bitter orange peel add very pleasant citrus notes. The core three botanicals, juniper, coriander seeds and angelica root all are present at the forefront creating a traditional and classic feel to the gin.

Named after the Goddess of Gin, Daffy’s is a fantastically strong bodied, Scottish spirit. Fresh and woody on the nose, there is a hint of toffee as well as a rather gentle floral fragrance. Daffy’s has lively juniper and citrus married to a wonderful range of red, summer fruits and light mint followed by a long, buttery finish. A smooth and vibrant gin!

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH MINT AND LIME PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 40%

ABV 43.4%

BAR A

GREENSAND RIDGE GIN

HALF HITCH

KENT, ENGLAND

LONDON, ENGLAND

Dedicated to sustainability, Greensand Ridge Distillery are a spirits company with a real heart, their passion for ingredients, location and impact carries through into the gin. Taking 8 incredibly local botanicals and 7 traditional choices, Greensand Ridge Gin is rounded and balanced. Aromatic citrus and pine morph into warming sweetness, supported by a hint of nuttiness and complimented by a gentle floral quality.

‘The G with the Tea’, Half Hitch combines black Malawian tea with bergamot to create a gin that’s reminiscent of Earl Grey tea. Sweet orange meets more traditional citrus notes, with warming nutmeg and light bell pepper spice. A dry, piney flavour appears at the finish making this a complex yet fresh and inviting spirit.

GARNISH FRESH BAY LEAF PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 40%

BAR A

HUNTERS

JAWBOX GIN

CHESHIRE, ENGLAND

BELFAST, IRELAND

Based on a 300 year old recipe and made in a traditional copper pot still, Hunters Gin is a wonderful premium gin developed in Cheshire. A very dry London dry gin with subtle citrus overtones and a spicy, fruity edge. The juniper has a particularly earthy taste that is mellowed by a hint of cinnamon.

Jawbox Gin is named in honour of a Belfast term for a sink, a.k.a. the Jawbox – one of Belfast’s lasting legacies. A thoroughly modern London Dry, Jawbox uses two distillation techniques (steep, boil and vapour infusion) to bring forward crisp citrus, coriander and a firm pine flavour. This is joined by the quiet complexity of pepper, green angelica and a fine rootiness.

GARNISH APPLE PAIRS BEST WITH APPLE JUICE

GARNISH NONE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE GINGER ALE

ABV 43.3%

ABV 43%

BAR A E XCLUSIVE

LEEDS GIN

WHITE ROSE LEEDS GIN

YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

Distilled in the heart of the city, Leeds Gin is a fresh, Yorkshire gin. Bright with juniper and rhubarb, a gentle, ginger spice resonates clearly.

By distilling a high quality, pure grain spirit with some of the best botanicals available, Leeds Gin have made a fantastically delicate gin. The heady bouquet of juniper berries, cassia, apricot and the subtle aroma of Yorkshire’s famous white rose petals, gives it a unique freshness.

GARNISH ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH APPLE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 40%

BAR A

MASONS

NELSON’S GIN

YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

STAFFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND

Masons Yorkshire Gin is as Yorkshire as it gets. Based in Bedale in North Yorkshire, Masons use Harrogate Spring Water and locally grown juniper to create their smooth, malty gin. Coriander mixes in with piney elements, bright juniper and orange before a smooth move to fennel and cardamom. Soft herbal notes and a little sweetness add to the long, lingering finish.

Nelson’s Gin is a light and refreshing spirit, very clean on the palate but with an exceptionally complex aftertaste. Created by an experienced chef, it uses a wide range of perfectly balanced botanicals. It begins with plenty of juniper and a subtle, sweet spice (notably vanilla and cinnamon) which develops into a rounded fruitiness.

GARNISH PINK GRAPEFRUIT PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 42%

ABV 42.5%

BAR A

PINKSTER

PORTER’S GIN

CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND

ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND

Deliciously dry, Pinkster is made with only 5 botanicals including, most importantly, raspberries! The juniper shines without being overpowering but the raspberries contribute both soft, fruity flavour and the tart dryness of the berries. Light spice and pepper emerge from the dryness. Motivated by the creators own wheat allergy, Pinkster is totally gluten‑free. Altogether, this is an agreeably British gin!

The first gin to be made in Aberdeen in over 100 years, Porter’s is made using an innovative combination of traditional modern distillation techniques. Juniper is resplendent at the heart of this gin, with a range of fabulous citrus, sherbet lemon, gentle orange and Chinese Buddha’s Hand, is grounded by a subtle pink pepper spice and a touch of nutmeg earthiness.

GARNISH MINT AND RASPBERRY PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH LIME PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 37.5%

ABV 41.5%

BAR A

POETIC LICENSE NORTHERN DRY

POETIC LICENSE OLDÂ TOM

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND

Poetic License Northern Dry Gin is made by a small batch distillery in the North East who are proud to craft wild spirits. It instantly assails the senses with big, punchy juniper, finely balanced by green cardamom. Delicate, perfume like citrus notes come from lemon, lime and eucalyptus while vanilla and pepper vye for attention. A perfectly clear and delightfully unusual drink.

A wonderful rose-gold colour, Poetic License Old Tom is a fantastic offering. Aged in oak casks, this unusually woody gin is well balanced by rounded sweetness and light floral notes. Sweet yet peppery and incredibly distinctive, Poetic License Old Tom Gin is made in by Poetic License, a distillery that set out to craft wild spirits.

GARNISH PINK GRAPEFRUIT PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH APPLE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE GINGER ALE

ABV 43.2%

ABV 41.6%

BAR A MARIE DS RECOMMEN

JYM DS RECOMMEN

RAISTHORPE MANOR OAK AGED

ROCK ROSE

YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

DUNNET BAY, SCOTLAND

Raisthorpe’s Oak Aged Gin is a traditional gin, distilled using Yorkshire Wold spring water, has a unique botanical recipe. As the name suggests, it is rested in oak barrels, giving the gin a wonderfully smooth and mellow character with hints of spice, pepper and piney juniper.

Created at the most northerly distillery in mainland Scotland, Rock Rose is a fabulously zesty, dry gin. This is a thoroughly Scottish gin, taking Caithness botanicals to make a spirit that is incredibly varied on the nose, aromatic, yet with strong juniper notes coming through. Floral and fruity, this spirit presents amongst the best of modern gins.

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH ROSEMARY AND ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 42%

ABV 41%

BAR A

SILENT POOL

SLINGSBY GIN

SURREY, ENGLAND

HARROGATE, ENGLAND

Named for a supposedly haunted pool, nestled in the rolling hills of Surrey, Silent Pool is a rich and clean juniper driven spirit with floral layers of lavender and chamomile. Fresh notes of citrus and Kaffir lime are grounded with the subtle sweetness of local honey, creating a wellbalanced gin that is both traditional and refreshingly unique.

A fabulously light and fruity gin, Slingsby Gin is made using Harrogate spring water and a range of local botanicals. It’s even named for the gent who discovered the unique properties of Harrogate water. An initial burst of citrus, gives way to juniper before a very light anise mid palate (led by chervil, sweet cicely and green tea) and a finish of candied rhubarb.

GARNISH ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH PINK GRAPEFRUIT AND BLUEBERRIES PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 43%

ABV 42%

BAR A

STRATHEARN OAKED HIGHLAND GIN

TREVETHAN CORNISH GIN

PERTHSHIRE, SCOTLAND

CORNWALL, ENGLAND

Distilled at one of Scotland’s smallest gin distilleries, Oaked Highland Gin is the exceptionally smooth union of whisky and gin. A wonderful golden colour, it is a honeyed and oaky gin with juniper high notes and hints of citrus. Vanilla pods and subtle smokiness accentuate the gins’ unusual flavour combination.

Classic Cornish elegance combines all the glitz and glamour of the roaring twenties in one splendid bottle of gin! Trevethan Cornish Gin is a quality handmade gin created using a traditional family recipe. A multifaceted gin, the initial sense is of something light and floral but this quickly deepens into a boisterously, rounded orange spice. An incredible, bold gin!

GARNISH NONE PAIRS BEST WITH NEAT

GARNISH ORANGE AND CLOVE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE ELDERFLOWER TONIC

ABV 40%

ABV 43%

BAR A

WHITLEY NEILL

WILLEM BARENTSZ

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND

LONDON, ENGLAND

Inspired by Africa, crafted in England, Whitley Neill is a fabulously fruity, well rounded product of love, created by a fourth generation Master Distiller. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smooth, with rich juniper and citrus, potpourri and exotic spice. The spice becomes earthier and drier combining with subtle cocoa and sweet lemon. This is an impressive spirit.

Willem Barentsz Premium Gin is named for a pioneering arctic explorer whose spirit was as modern and innovative as the gin itself. Taking 7 botanicals and a split wheat and rye base (bringing a crisp mouthfeel and well rounded softness, respectively), this is a sleek and polished gin. Orange and piney citrus flavours are softened by a light cinnamon and beautifully gentle jasmine tones.

GARNISH ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

GARNISH JASMINE FLOWERS PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE LIGHT TONIC

ABV 42%

ABV 43%

MAKE YOUR OWN

GINTONIC GRANITA with Pear Caramel

Gintonic Granita

Syrup

220g Caster Sugar

500ml Pear Juice

120ml Still Water

50g Butter

2 Conference Pears, peeled and grated 500ml Fever-Tree Naturally Light Tonic Water 170ml Tinker Gin 45ml Fresh Lemon Juice

Serve 2 Conference Pears, sliced

Heat Add the sugar and water to a pan on a high heat and bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Once all the sugar has dissolved, remove from the heat then add the peeled and grated pears, Fever-Tree Light Tonic Water, Tinker and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly then leave to cool.

Cool Once completely cooled, pour into a container suitable for freezers.

For the syrup, add the pear juice to a saucepan, put it on a high heat until it reduces to dark caramel. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter.

Serve To serve, break up the Gintonic Granita with a fork and serve in individual dishes. Garnish with the sliced pears and drizzle over the pear syrup.

Freeze for 4 hours, removing it from the freezer and whisking every half an hour.

A Day in the Life of a Distiller Ever wondered what gin makers and distillers actually do all day? We certainly have.

It’s easy to picture them living a life of leisure; tasting gin as and when they want, ‘researching’ their preferred serve, and visiting far off climes to sample new botanicals in their native region. To find out the truth of it all, we asked Karl Mason (of Masons Yorkshire Gin) what a typical day is like at Masons distillery. Karl was quick to point out that making gin involves more early mornings than jet setting, and drinking an awful lot of tea as opposed to relaxing with cocktails. It’s a labour of love, and it usually goes something like this…

Arrive at the distillery for 5am, make a brew, and head over to Steve and Leftie, the 200 litre, flame heated, alembic pot stills. Most of the botanicals have been in the stills overnight to macerate in neutral grain spirit (the base alcohol used to make gin) but some, like lime, need to be added in the morning. Once the stills are fully loaded, the burners are lit, and the waiting game begins.

In summer it takes around two and a half hours or so for the still to reach the required temperature, while in winter it’s more like three hours; this isn’t lost time nor is it a chance for a nap, instead, there are previously distilled batches to bottle, label, number and sign – all of which is done by hand.

As the heads begin to come off the still, more staff start to arrive. Thankfully, Masons is no longer a two-man band, and all the sales, admin, bottling and labelling can be done as background work while Steve and Leftie do their thing, creating the distillate that will become Masons Yorkshire Gin. Distillate is split three ways - the head, heart and tails: the head and tails containing alcohols and other substances that are unpleasant tasting or potentially harmful, whilst the ‘heart’ is the potable or drinkable part of the product. Here in Bedale, the heart is the distillate that’s taken from 84% ABV to 80% ABV, it’s a very small, specific quantity where the flavour and quality come from. The heart is taken away to be cut with Harrogate Spring water until it’s at the perfect, 42% ABV.

Meanwhile, the stills continue running as every litre of alcohol needs to be accounted for, despite the tails being a waste product. This continues until around 7pm when they then must be emptied out, cleaned, and reloaded with more neutral grain spirit and botanicals, ready for the next day.

It’s often a fifteen hour day, with visitors dropping by, events being organised, plans being laid and new gins being discussed. Tea is drunk almost continuously, and chocolate and Tunnock’s Teacakes are consumed in some quantity.

There’s never a dull moment, and never a quiet moment. 31

BAR B

BATHTUB GIN

BIMBER LONDON DRY GIN

KENT, ENGLAND

LONDON, ENGLAND

Professor Ableforth’s original gin, Bathtub is a wonderfully exciting concoction. The key note of this gin is its juniper but to reduce it purely to that would be a tragedy! The use of the spiced botanicals (coriander, cloves and cardamom) and sweet orange adds a great depth to the drink whilst creating a creamy mouth feel.

Bimber is a London Dry Gin with a great balance of bright juniper, fresh citrus, nutty coriander, fragrant angelica and warm cinnamon. Distilled on the site of a former Guinness Brewery, they use a traditional copper pot still to create a dry and earthy finish as well as a number of remarkably persistent spiced notes.

GARNISH LIME PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE AROMATIC TONIC

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 43.4%

ABV 42%

BAR B

CONKER GIN

COTSWOLD DRY GIN

DORSET, ENGLAND

COTSWOLD, ENGLAND

With oodles of optimism and a real passion for gin, Conker Spirit, Dorset’s first gin distillery, have crafted the rather special, Conker Gin. Using ten carefully chosen botanicals, this is a dry and light gin. Subtle gorse flowers and elderberries and beautifully melded with the pine of juniper and avid samphire. Conker Gin is refreshingly light with a good force of flavour.

The first gin from the first commercial distillery in the Cotswolds. Clean pine comes through on entry sharply followed by fresh grapefruit and coriander citrus. Black pepper builds within the dryness while light mineral and eucalyptus notes linger with lime and subtle lavender. Cotswold Dry Gin is a fantastic example of a classic London Dry Gin.

GARNISH NONE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH PINK GRAPEFRUIT AND BAY LEAF PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE AROMATIC TONIC

ABV 40%

ABV 46%

BAR B

CUCUMBER GIN

DÀ MHÌLE SEAWEED GIN

SHROPSHIRE, ENGLAND

LLANDYSUL, WALES

Perfect for a G&T, Cucumber Gin is a delicate and refreshing gin. Made by the English Drinks Company, Cucumber Gin is an English summer distilled and bottled. A secret blend of 10 botanicals creates a delicate and unique spirit with a very apparent cucumber sweetness, alongside touches of mint and a very smooth and mellow finish.

Infused for three weeks with seaweed, the heady mix of herbs is the first striking element of Dà Mhìle Seaweed (pronounced da-vee-lay). Fresh bursts of lemon and thyme combine with fennel, pepper, cardamom and just a hint of salt. The juniper balances so well with these flavours that each of them has the opportunity to shine. Rich yet light, this is the perfect accompaniment to seafood!

GARNISH CUCUMBER PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE ELDERFLOWER TONIC

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 40%

ABV 42%

BAR B

ECCENTRIC CITRUS OVERLOAD

ESKER GIN

LLANTRISANT, WALES

ROYAL DEESIDE, SCOTLAND

A bright and bold citrus gin with sherbert undertones and a soft, sweet finish, Eccentric Citrus Overload lives up to its name quite spectacularly! Distilled with a fabulous range of citrus (coriander seeds, lemon, orange and grapefruit) as well as meadowsweet and sunflower root, this is a delightfully piquant spirit.

Esker Gin is inspired by the waters of the River Dee and the Silver Birch trees that line its path, so inspired that they actually use both of them in their gin. Added to this are a range of local botanicals, including milk thistle. It is a classically, juniper led gin, crisp and clean with distinctive, almost herbal notes complemented byÂ citrus and hint of something floral.

GARNISH LEMON AND THYME PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

GARNISH ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 42%

BAR B E XCLUSIVE

ELECTRIC SPIRIT CO. ACHROOUS

ELECTRIC SPIRIT CO. LUX

LEITH, SCOTLAND

Electric Spirit Co.’s Achroous Gin is rooted in a passion for spirits, and a love of design; both bottle and spirit are vibrant, modern and instantly recognisable. It is made with juniper, coriander, orris, liquorice, angelica, fennel seed and Sichuan peppercorns, creating a sweetly spiced gin with citrus and floral notes, and a perfect aniseed finish.

Taking Electric Spirit Co.’s trademark boldness, Lux is warming and bright. Ripe orange, with grape-like flavours and the soft, juiciness of dates are seamlessly blended with traditional, spiced botanicals. Sharp, piney citrus and peppered juniper hold together beyond the sweetness of the fruits.

GARNISH ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE LIGHT TONIC

GARNISH ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 41%

BAR B

HOXTON GIN

KOKORO

LONDON, ENGLAND

Hoxton Gin is the result of a highly lauded bartender geeking out over a beautiful spirit. A particularly modern and exciting spirit, Hoxton is a taste of the tropics; very fruity with ginger, juniper and tarragon coming through brightly. The coconut and grapefruit are bold with juniper playing a close second. A perfect drink for someone who enjoys the exotic.

An uncle with a home in the mountains turned into a gin with a rather special difference; Kokoro Gin uses sansho berries, a Japanese delicacy with a strong flavour of citrus, pine and pepper. Kokoro is more than just the berries, having faint marzipan notes as well as bitter orange and a touch of liquorice.

GARNISH PINK GRAPEFRUIT PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE GINGER ALE

GARNISH PINK GRAPEFRUIT PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 43%

ABV 42%

BAR B

MANCHESTER THREE RIVERS GIN

OPIHR

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

WARRINGTON, ENGLAND

Made in the heart of the city, with eleven botanicals (including oats, Madagascan vanilla, cinnamon and Valencian orange peel), Manchester Three Rivers Gin is a gently aromatic spirit. Rich and creamy, it has an unmistakable softness full of oats and vanilla, that slowly breaks into baked spices before sharpening up and finishing on a healthy burst of black pepper.

Inspired by the rich opulence of the Spice Route and a romantic history of the East, Opihr (pronounced “O-peer”) is a bold, intense, oriental gin. Soft, smooth, perfumed notes blend smoothly with warm background spice. Light sweetness arises with a sharp burst of citrus. A wonderful, warming drink in which juniper dryness takes a backseat to spiced pepper.

GARNISH DRIED APRICOT AND ROSEMARY PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH BELL PEPPER PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE GINGER ALE

ABV 40%

BAR B

PINK 47

SILVER FOX GIN

KENT, ENGLAND

WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND

A multi-award winning gin, Pink 47 is a classic London Dry. Encased in a diamond shaped bottle (styled on the Khavaraya pink diamond), this is strong and smooth yet perfectly crisp and compelling. There is a wonderful explosion of dry pine and citrus that avoids the harshness often associated with drier spirits.

A bespoke London Dry, Silver Fox Gin is extraordinarily smooth, thanks to being distilled five times. Inspired by the English countryside, Silver Fox Gin is full of flavour with a refreshing citrus burst and a wonderfully smooth finish. The care lavished during the distillation process means that you really taste the carefully selected botanicals, leading to an intensely aromatic dry gin, with pomelo citrus balancing the delicious savoury notes of cedar.

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE ELDERFLOWER TONIC

GARNISH ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE LIGHT TONIC

ABV 47%

ABV 40%

AS FEATURED IN THE GUARDIAN METRO.CO.UK

TOP 10 SUBSCRIPTION BOX GIFT

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

Â£24.99 PER MONTH WITH NO FIXED CONTRACT GINEXPLORER.COM

BAR B

SILVERBACK

SIR ROBIN OF LOCKSLEY

HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND

A lightly floral, citrus gin, Silverback Gin donates a pound from every bottle sold to Gorilla Organization. A clean and refreshing spirit, Silverback Gin is full of fragrant coriander and bright citrus. Pine quickly grounds itself as the centre of the gin with subtle, floral notes (from the Madagascan acacia blossom) making an appearance. Bright orange and lemongrass are prominent throughout.

Sir Robin of Locksley has some rather up‑front juniper with the delicate aroma of elderflower peeping through. Deliciously smooth on the palate; the warm cassia notes are soothed by the dandelion, while pink grapefruit is responsible for an underlying sweetness with a lingering citrus finish. Elegant and light, it is so smooth as to be referred to as a sipping gin.

GARNISH ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

GARNISH PINK GRAPEFRUIT PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC OR ELDERFLOWER TONIC

ABV 46%

ABV 40.5%

BAR B

SLY GIN VERBENA

STIRLING

HEREFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND

STIRLING, SCOTLAND

A very small batch gin made by Haven Distillery, Sly Gin Verbena is an unusually soft and sweet London Dry Gin. Taking pure Holywell Malvern water, it has a fantastic lemongrass note running through it, a gentle hint of spearmint and a long, almost peppered finish.

Fusing together traditional and incredibly local botanicals, Stirling Gin is fresh and green with an aromatic juniper that weaves the spirit together. Rounded citrus, with heavy orange play well with the unusual taste of Stirlingshire nettles. Stirling Gin has a long, enjoyable finish.

GARNISH BLUEBERRIES PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

GARNISH BASIL AND ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE AROMATIC TONIC

ABV 43%

B R I T I S H

M A D E

S PA N I S H

S T Y L E

INSPIRED BY THE SPANISH GINTONIC, TINKER IS A MODERN AND REFRESHING GIN, PERFECTLY BROUGHT TOGETHER BY A HINT OF ELDERBERRY.

W W W. T I N K E R G I N . C O M

MARIE DS RECOMMEN

BAR B

JYM DS RECOMMEN

TINKER

TARQUIN’S GIN

YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

CORNWALL, ENGLAND

Tinker is a British made, Spanish style gin. Fresh, light and fruity, it is made by distilling juniper, coriander, orange, lemon, cassia, cinnamon, orris, angelica, liquorice, nutmeg and elderberries. Tinker doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste like many other gins, instead, finishing with gentle berries.

Using traditional techniques, quality ingredients and old-fashioned equipment, Tarquin’s, Cornwall’s first gin in over a century, is comparable to stumbling upon an orange blossom in the middle of a crisp dry pine forest. Fragrant, with parma violets and blossom, firmly backed with strong woody notes. Tarquin’s is both sharp and mellow.

GARNISH PEAR PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE LIGHT TONIC

GARNISH LIME PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE ELDERFLOWER TONIC

ABV 40%

ABV 42%

BAR B

TWO BIRDS

WHITTAKER’S GIN PINK PECULIER

LEICESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND

YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

Two Birds is a wonderfully aromatic gin with sage, coriander and lavender acting as a vanguard. A classic London Dry in style yet full of big pine and winter berries whose floral note adds an intriguing piquancy. Two Birds Gin is fresh yet delicate and endlessly reminiscent of true, countryside spirit ( it’s even distilled in a self-made still)!

Whittaker’s Gin Pink Peculier is Harrogate Distillery Ltds award winning, contemporary gin with a strong, signature taste of pink peppercorns, pink hibiscus, cardamom and lemon zest. Meaning “something amazing” or “one of a kind”, the name comes from the Danish spelling and the spirit certainly lives up to it.

GARNISH CUCUMBER PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH PINK PEPPERCORNS PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 40%

ABV 42%

BAR B

WICKED WOLF EXMOOR GIN

WIGHT MERMAID GIN

EXMOOR, ENGLAND

ISLE OF WIGHT, ENGLAND

Carefully distilling each botanical individually, Wicked Wolf Exmoor have created a traditional gin with a thoroughly contemporary character. Hibiscus and Kaffir lime bind together layers of citrus and pepper which are finely balanced with juniper and coriander. A clean and delightful gin.

Heavily inspired by the eponymous island of its creation, Wight’s Mermaid Gin is wonderfully blended! Using rock samphire picked from a secret location on the isle of Wight, a smooth and refreshing gin, slightly sweet with a touch of sweet pepper and light hints of lemon citrus.

GARNISH THYME AND LIME PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH CUCUMBER AND JUNIPER PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 42%

Milk Punch IT MAY SOUND ODD, BUT TRUST US, MILK PUNCH, MADE WITH GIN, IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE MOST DELICIOUS WAYS YOU CAN ENJOY GIN. The G&T is not the most traditional gin serve. It seems outrageous, scandalous even, at first sight. The cries of “How could you say such a thing? The G&T is the classic gin drink!” are audible from here. We get it, the gin and tonic is a classic. We just want you to hear us out. As we’ve said, the G&T is a classic, it’s been a go-to drink for generations, and whatever changes are being made to it, it’s a drink that’s endured a few centuries of use and enjoyment. A classic? Yes. Delicious? Absolutely.

That said, it’s not one of the original or oldest ways to drink gin.

LET’S WIND IT BACK.

When gin was first made it was a cheap, British-made spirit. A substitution for French spirits, encouraged by the King and the Government. It was made quickly and easily, and rarely with high-quality ingredients. Gin, in its infancy, was a rough and fiery spirit. It lacked finesse. To make it more palatable, whilst still enjoying its intoxicating effects, it would be drunk at room temperature with just a splash of water to soften it, mixed with ale and spices (this was known as Purl) and in punches.

The quality of both spirits and beer cocktails have improved massively but many punch recipes have remained the same. This isn’t because punch is awaiting a revival where it’ll be adapted and improved but because the existing recipes are delicious, exciting and allow for a lot of experimentation. Punches began as a way to improve harsh tasting spirits and were usually made by mixing the spirit of choice

with sugar and spices as well as relatively easy-to-access ingredients like milk, water and tea. Punches grew in popularity when gin was all but banned in the mid 18th century. There was a loophole that made it legal for gin to be sold, if it was first made into a punch. Punch houses nearly instantly sprung up nationwide each boasting the uniqueness of their own, special, house punch. A commonly made punch that was soft and creamy, whilst still maintaining the sharpness of the base gin and a healthy splash of fruity citrus, was Milk Punch. Not a milky white drink with gin added and mixed in but a crystal clear, clarified milk punch. Spiced, creamy and unmistakably gin. This is a recipe that has withstood the test of time, and while getting there isn’t the prettiest of journeys, it’s definitely worthwhile.

Milk Punch Recipe INGREDIENTS 4 PARTS DRY GIN 2 PARTS WATER 2 PARTS TRIPLE SEC SYRUP ¹/₄ PART ORANGE JUICE ¹/₂ PART LEMON JUICE 1 ¹/₂ PARTS SKIMMED MILK

METHOD COMBINE ALL THE INGREDIENTS, EXCEPT THE MILK, IN A JUG AND STIR. ADD THE MILK AND STIR AGAIN. THE MILK SHOULD START TO CURDLE. WAIT UNTIL THE SOLIDS HAVE ALL RISEN TO THE TOP. FILTER THE MIXTURE THROUGH A COFFEE FILTER. THROW AWAY THE MILK SOLIDS. SERVE THE CLARIFIED SPIRIT MIXTURE WITH ICE AND A SLICE OF ORANGE. 50

GIN AVAILA E AT GINFESTI VABL L.COM

BAR C

1831 - BLUE

AVIATION AMERICANÂ GIN

BASQUE COUNTRY, SPAIN

PORTLAND, USA

Created by Manuel Acha Distillery, the oldest company in the Basque Country, 1831 Blue Gin has a distinct blue colour and herbal flavour. Five times distilled and made with mineral water from the Nervion river with; juniper, clove and cinnamon: its vibrant colour belies the fact that this is a flavorsome and gentle spirit.

Aviation is the result of the first brand partnership between distiller, bartender and a desire to create a gin that was a botanical democracy rather than traditionally juniper forward. This is a silky yet dry gin with a slight, vanilla sweetness that is counterbalanced by cedar, lavender and sarsaparilla. Aviation is the very first New Western Style Gin.

ABV 40%

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

ABV 42%

GARNISH ROSEMARY PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE ELDERFLOWER TONIC OR AROMATIC TONIC

BAR C

BIG BOSS

BOBBY’S SCHIEDAM GIN

PORTO, PORTUGAL

SCHIEDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

Taking a secret formula of 11 botanicals and using traditional Portuguese techniques to distil 4 times, Big Boss is an audacious and distinct spirit. Cardamom and angelica come through clearly, backed by a warm earthiness. Refreshing and smooth, Big Boss is a unique and outstanding gin.

Based in Schiedam, the original home of gin, Bobby’s is a spirit steeped in a juniper rich history. Bobby’s is a unique blend of Indonesian spice and traditional botanicals; spicy and fragrant on the nose with a fresh burst of citrus and herbs at first sip and a slight hum of pepper. Fantastically moreish – spiced, warming and dry.

GARNISH PINK PEPPERCORNS AND GREEN APPLE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

GARNISH ORANGE AND CLOVES PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 40%

ABV 42%

www.black-tomato-gin.com

Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1st gin distilled from Black Tomatoes

Reveal the mystery

BAR C

BLACK TOMATO GIN

DINGLE

BRUINISSE, THE NETHERLANDS

DINGLE, IRELAND

100% organic, Black Tomato Gin balances sweet and savoury to produce a beautiful spirit. The powerful fruitiness of tomato is tempered by its own tanginess and the peppery kick of juniper. They have drawn inspiration and ingredients from their location with the signature black tomatoes grown near the distillery and using a splash of water from the local wetlands.

The Dingle Distillery is a staunchly independent spirit maker from Dingle in the southwest of Ireland. Their first gin is brimming with local botanicals (including rowan berry, bog myrtle) and has an aroma of pepper and freshly cut grass. Dingle’s crisp and floral character balanced wonderfully with spicy juniper, coriander and herbal notes and finishes with a hint of pepper.

GARNISH BASIL AND ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

GARNISH MINT PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 42.3%

ABV 42.5%

BAR C

ELEPHANT GIN

FRIDAY CHIC

HAMBURG, GERMANY

BAIRRADA, PORTUGAL

Handmade in Germany, inspired by Africa, Elephant Gin is floral and fruity, with 15% of proceeds go to support African elephant charities. Distilled with 14 botanicals (including rare, African ingredients: Baobab fruit, Buchu plant, African Wormwood, Lion’s Tail and Devil’s Claw), spice is at the fore, joined next by floral tones and well-rounded fruit and is finished by delicately long and dry, juniper.

Friday Chic is a versatile and elegant gin; tropical fruits (mango, passion fruit and papaya) are infused into neutral alcohol and then distilled with 4 essential botanicals juniper, cardamom, orange blossom and vine leaf. Floral and fruity with citrus notes and an underlying freshness from the tropical fruits. Soft and smooth on the palate, Friday Chic is an extremely fresh and summery gin.

GARNISH APPLE AND GINGER PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH GRAPES PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

ABV 45%

ABV 40%

BAR C

G’VINE FLORAISON

GIN MARE

COGNAC, FRANCE

GUADALAJARA, SPAIN

Handcrafted in France, G’vine Floraison is a gorgeously sweet and floral gin that, uniquely, uses vine flowers (that bloom only for a week) as a key botanical! A vibrant yet smooth spirit, G’vine Floraison captures the splendour of vineyards at the end of spring. Juniper is somewhat subdued here but a ginger spice with liquorice sweetness complements the rose-like flavour. A graceful, honeyed gin.

Opening the door to a new variety of gins, with a novel pan-Mediterranean concept that unites the different cultures around the sea through their most impressive botanical flavours. Gin Mare is a thoroughly Spanish gin, bursting with the wonderful tastes of rosemary, olives, thyme and basil. This is a very aromatic gin with an abundance of juniper and fresh coriander, bitter with herbal notes.

GARNISH RASPBERRY AND GRAPES PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE ELDERFLOWER TONIC

GARNISH ROSEMARY AND ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

ABV 40%

ABV 42.7%

BAR C

GIN SEA

INVERROCHE AMBERÂ GIN

AMURRIO, SPAIN

STILL BAY, SOUTH AFRICA

A wonderfully aromatic gin, created by a Spanish sommelier in 2012 at Distillery Manuel Acha (one of the oldest distilleries in Europe!) Gin Sea blends sweet citrus and earthy juniper with candied ginger and chamomile. An array of floral and herbal notes (particularly thyme) meld together perfectly to create a delightfully fresh, yet sweet, spirit!

Richly coloured, Inverroche Amber Gin is a fabulously modern spirit, combining classic gin botanicals with the flora of South Africa. Using a vapour basket and a secondary infusion, Rooibos tea and tannins mingle with caramelised apple and delicate floral tones before finishing with an earthy dryness.

GARNISH LEMON AND LIME PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 40%

ABV 43%

BAR C UK E XCLUSIVE

K-25

KALEVALA

AMURRIO, SPAIN

NORTH-KARELIA, FINLAND

K-25 is fantastically citrusy gin with a magnificent blue tone (thanks to the use of lily root). Distilled an incredible 14 times by the oldest distillery in Basque country – Manuel Acha; K-25 glows with bitter and sweet orange, lemon, mandarin and coriander. This is skilfully combined with a light floral note and a deliciously complex, spiced tone.

Named after a Finnish Epic, Kalevala Gin is a gin driven by attention to detail, using organic botanicals and water from their own well to create a gin which is as intriguing as it’s namesake poem. Rich juniper is immediately apparent on the nose, while rosemary and raspberry leaves combine on the palate to create a wonderfully fresh yet slightly savoury taste.

GARNISH ROSEMARY PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

GARNISH LIME PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 45%

ABV 46.30%

BAR C

LE GIN 1&9

LE GIN CHRISTIAN DROUIN

TURENNE, FRANCE

COUDRAY-RABUT, FRANCE

Bursting with flavour, Le Gin 1&9 is a tremendous gin with a distinctive, spicy bouquet, combining wild juniper and 9 aromatic and exotic botanicals. The rich, aromas generate a smooth and long lasting spiced citrus finish. Created by a long established family buisness famed for its liqueurs and mustard, this is a perfect, hot and spicy spirit!

By taking a fine Calvados brandy and infusing it with juniper, ginger, vanilla, lemon, cardamom, cinnamon and rose, Christian Drouin have created something spectacular. Apple is obviously a key component to Le Gin De Christian Drouin but leafy, green herbs come through strongly as well warming pepper and earthy fruitiness. Despite the variety, this is not a fussy gin – it is light and exceptionally well balanced.

GARNISH CHILLI PEPPER PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE GINGER ALE

GARNISH APPLE AND JUNIPER PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 40%

ABV 42%

BAR C

MAHON XORIGUER GIN

MALFY

MENORCA, SPAIN

MONCALIERI, ITALY

Fresh fruity grapes, bright orange and an abundance of juniper, Mahon Xoriguer Gin is in a league of its own! Subtle chamomile plays with lemon zest and almond. Pungent black pepper seasons this distinctive spirit. Gin Xoriguer is one of only a very small number of gins with a protected geographical indication, meaning that it can only be made in Menorca.

A wonderfully vibrant, New Western Gin, Malfy Gin radiates brightly with lemon and citrus zest. Sharp and dry on the nose with an abundance of fresh lemon and a hint of ginger, Malfy softens on the palate becoming lemon sorbet– like. Despite being a very modern gin, there is noticeable juniper and a touch of black pepper that brings the gin around perfectly.

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 38%

ABV 41%

BAR C

LA VITA E’BELLA

RAGNAROK

SOUTH TYROL, ITALY

JARVSO, SWEDEN

La Vita E’Bella is a citrus focused gin. Fresh Zedro lemons and Mandarins from Sicily combine with 20 other botanicals to produce a delicious spirit. Using an incredibly gentle distillation process, a water bath, elderflower, lemon, orange and juniper aromas carry through to a refreshing, mouthwateringly crisp beverage. This gin really does make life beautiful.

Inspired by the tale of how the Norse god Odin lost his eye, Ragnarok has been created (using Swedish winter barley) with the idea of being an illuminating spirit. Despite the pronounced scent of fresh, bright lingonberries, Ragnarok quickly develops into a surprisingly savory gin. The lingonberry remains and is joined by malty, caraway flavours alongside dill and a sharp, peppery finish.

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

GARNISH DILL AND LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 40%

ABV 44%

BAR C

NO. 209

NORDÉS

SAN FRANCISCO, USA

GALICIA, SPAIN

Based in sunny San Francisco, No. 209 is as light and warming as California! Five times distilled with a fragrant blend of 13 botanicals, No. 209 has fragrant floral and delicate citrus notes alongside a little, gentle spice. Boisterous orange is complemented by the heat of cardamom and bay leaf and well balanced by a slight burst of pine. A light, aromatic gin.

Nordés makes a radical break from the preconceived ideas and traditional methods around gin. Using a slow distillation and a base spirit created from Albariño grapes, Nordés Gin is distilled with 12 Galician botanicals (including peppermint, hibiscus and lemongrass). Delicately perfumed, this a soft, sweet gin with the flavour of red fruit, sherbet and peaches. Epitomising the Galician spirit, Nordés Gin is an exceptionally modern and gentle gin.

GARNISH PINK GRAPEFRUIT PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH MINT AND LIME PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

ABV 46%

ABV 40%

BAR C

PINK PEPPER

RUBBENS POPPIES

COGNAC, FRANCE

WICHELEN, BELGIUM

A totally unique, intense and aromatic gin, Pink Pepper has two almost distinct forms, sweet and spiced! When chilled, piquant notes of pink pepper and juniper are prominent. As the beverage warms, soft patisserie tones comes to the fore with tonka, honey and vanilla. Playing upon France’s perfumery associations, Pink Pepper is created using a non-chill filtered process, similar to perfume. A thoroughly French gin.

Rubben’s Poppies Gin is an exceptionally aromatic spirit, full of flavoursome herbs and pine. The gins’ Belgian roots are evident. The recipe for Rubbens Poppies Gin is said to come from an English soldier who fought in the First World War; on cold evenings, the men would share this warming spirit, and try to keep their own raised.

GARNISH PINK GRAPEFRUIT PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH LIME PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

ABV 44%

ABV 40%

BAR C

THOMPSONS BORDELAIS GRAPE GIN

TINTO

BORDEAUX, FRANCE

VALENÇA, PORTUGAL

Made from eau-de-vie distilled in Bordeaux, Thompson’s Bordelais Grape Gin captures the terroir of the region in this floral and spicy gin. The end result is extremely floral. Both the grape base and peaches sing on the nose with a subtle juniper warmth behind them. This develops into fresh citrus with subtle fruit notes and ends with a long, dry, spiced finish.

Heavily influenced by the shores of Valenca de Minho, Tinto Red Premium Gin is herbaceous and fruity! A fabulously sweet and sour spirit, where pear mingles with dill and lime while a slight floral note, something like a sherbet poppy, syncs with rosemary and lavender.

GARNISH PEACH PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH LEMON AND GREEN CARDAMOM PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

ABV 43%

ABV 40%

QUIZ

1 Where can London Dry Gin be made? 2 Which beloved British drink is a tonic water by another name? 3 Which country consumes the most gin?

4 Who famously said â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like to have a Martini, two at the very most; three, I'm under the table, four I'm under my host!â&#x20AC;?? 5 Who created the infamous Gin Lane?

GIN L 66

AN E

AND TONIC 6 G&Ts were first drunk as a kind of medicine – to what disease does this great drink owe its creation? 7 How did the phrase “Dutch Courage” come about? 8 What does the mafia have to do with gin? 9 How should a martini be made?

10 How much gin was drunk in London alone, at the height of the Gin Craze?

TURN OVER FOR ANSWERS 67

QUIZ AND TONIC Answers

1 Anywhere! While there are rules that a gin has to follow in order to be a London Dry, none of them relate to the distillery’s location. 2 Lemon flavoured tonic water is also known as Bitter Lemon. 3 The Philippines – on average, every citizen consumes 1.4 litres of the stuff annually, and with a population of approx. 92.5 million, that’s some dedication to juniper. 4 The inimitable American author, Dorothy Parker! 5 William Hogarth. Gin Lane was somewhat provocative when published in 1751 but we think that the artist was paid off by the brewers. Why else would he try to damage the reputation of such a wonderful drink? 6 Tonic’s most important ingredient, quinine, is an age-old method for preventing the spread of malaria. 7 British soldiers fighting alongside the Dutch in the Thirty Year War witnessed them having fortifying shots of jenever immediately before going into battle. That little bit of booze gave their fellow soldiers the courage they needed to go roaring towards their enemies. 8 During those dark days of prohibition, the mafia would bring in low quality, heavily flavoured ‘bathtub’ gin. As an unaged spirit, gin was relatively easy to produce quickly; a low quality product, the impurities in the gin would be covered up with wild and wonderful flavourings. 9 Ignore the spy – a good martini is made by carefully stirring the ingredients, not shaking them. A shaken martini is known both as a travesty, and a Bradford.

10 In 1741 Londoners drank a staggering 41 million gallons of the stuff!

THE SIMPLE GUIDE TO

MAKING SLOE GIN There are few things more romantic in gin than how to make sloe gin. There’s the idea that sloes can’t be picked until after the first frost, or that the location of the best fruit should never be shared or the notion that to get the best flavour from the sloes they must be pricked with a silver needle or a thorn from the tree they were grown on. As lovely as that all is, it’s not the most practical advice out there. If you enjoy a bit of foraging or just want to experiment at home and make your own, here’s our advice and a simple, step by step guide on how to make Sloe Gin.

1. Sloe season takes place August through to September; the best point at which to pick them varies every year and is dependent on a variety of factors but you can tell how ripe they are by squeezing them. If they seem hard, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not ready just yet. 2. Rather than pricking your sloes (to help get the fullest flavour from them), freeze them. Keeping them in the freezer for a couple of days allows for a more even and thorough release of flavour than the traditional method. 3. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rely on the fruit and the sugar to provide all of the flavour. Use a high quality, high strength gin as your base. A good quality base means a good quality liqueur, and a gin with a high ABV will help to break down the sloes.

400G OF SLOE BERRYS

70CL OF GIN

INGREDIENTS: 400g of sloes 70cl gin Simple syrup* to taste *To make simple syrup, mix one part water with one part sugar

SIMPLE SYRUP

STEP 1

Freeze the sloes for two days.

STEP 2

Place them in a large, sterilised tub. Add gin and simple syrup.

STEP 3

Ensure that the tub is tightly sealed and shake well.

STEP 4

Store the tub in a cool, dark place and shake the mixture every other day.

STEP 5

Leave the sloes to rest for at least three months.

STEP 6

After a minimum of three months, strain liqueur to get rid of the fruit.

STEP 7

Keep the Sloe Gin in bottles. We also have a simple guide to making your syrup on our website. Find our Simple Guide on the news page.

BAR D E XCLUSIVE

5TH - FIRE

ADDINGHAM CRANBERRY AND ORANGE

BARCELONA, SPAIN

YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

A sweet, almost silken gin, 5th Fire has been gently infused with a whole range of soft red fruits (including blackberry, blueberry, currant and strawberry). Gooseberry and strawberry come through initially with a mild but noticeable juniper bitterness. This is a fantastically experimental gin.

Addingham Liqueurs have brought us another fabulous gin liqueur. This time, a large quantity of oranges, cranberries and sugar have been macerated in a fine, London Dry producing a tart, citrus gin with a delightfully balancing sweetness. Superb!

GARNISH STRAWBERRY PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE LEMON TONIC

GARNISH ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 42%

ABV 27%

TWO TOKENS

BAR D

ADDINGHAM SLOE YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND ABV 25%

Addingham Sloe Gin Liqueur is a classic English in liqueur, flavoured with rounded sloe berries and subtle almonds. The sloes are foraged from the countryside surrounding the village in which the boutique business is based. This is a fabulously smooth and tart sloe gin liqueur, the epitome of a traditional craft.

GARNISH ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE LEMON TONIC

BAR D

BRAECKMAN’S VANILLE JENEVER

BRAECKMAN’S HAZELNOOT JENEVER

OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM

Produced entirely in-house at the Braeckman Grain Distillery, this flavoured jenever is a real treat! Braeckman’s Vanilla Jenever is a soft and creamy liqueur with a fantastic level of complexity that comes from its juniper malt wine base. Not overly sweet, the malt and juniper flavours meld together perfectly.

Experimenting with the very traditional jenever can create some thoroughly marvellous results, one example of which is Braeckman’s Hazelnoot Jenever. A creamy, nutty and moreish liqueur, sweet and well rounded with a malty warmth. The unusual combination of juniper and cream make this the perfect after‑dinner drink!

GARNISH NONE PAIRS BEST WITH NEAT

ABV 17%

BAR D

EDINBURGH ELDERFLOWER

EDINBURGH PLUM AND VANILLA

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Edinburgh Gin are proud to distill in the heart of the city, producing a number of exciting gins. Fragrant elderflower, bright juniper and subtle citrus combine to create Edinburgh Elderflower Gin liqueur. Beautifully summery with a uniquely thick and sweet mouthfeel, this liqueur transports you to a shaded, Scottish garden on a hot summer’s day.

To make Edinburgh Plum and Vanilla Gin Liqueur, juicy, ripe plums have been macerated with soft Madagascan vanilla and then infused into Edinburgh Gin to create an indulgent liqueur. A beautiful deep plum colour, the flavour is sweet and intense plum flavour with hints of almond and a creamy, vanilla finish.

GARNISH NONE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH NONE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE SODA WATER

ABV 20%

TWO TOKENS

Head over to the

COCKTAIL BAR

b r a b u Rh mble. Ru s u o m a F

and have our…

EDINBURGH RHUBARB AND GINGER EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND ABV 20%

Much like the 200 year old copper pot they use to distil, Edinburgh Gin is steeped in history and creativity, their inimitable Rhubarb and Ginger Gin Liqueur, their creativity has truly excelled itself. Tangy spring crop rhubarb macerated with oriental ginger and lemon zest is infused into Edinburgh Gin to create a nostalgia‑inducing rose-hued tipple.

GARNISH APPLE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE SODA WATER

Featuring Edinburgh Rhubarb and Ginger Gin Liqueur.

BAR D

ELY DARK CHOCOLATE

ELY PINK GRAPEFRUIT

CAMBRIDGESHIRE, ENGLAND

By unifying chocolate and gin in one, delectable drink, Ely Gin have done something quite special. This dark chocolate and gin liqueur produces a very balanced hit of both. The smooth, luxurious cocoa, rich with an almost woody fruitiness, weaves seamlessly through the pine heavy gin. A rather elegant liqueur made in small batches by an independent producer.

Giving a contemporary twist to an English classic, The Ely Gin Company specialise in creating high-strength fruit gins. Pink grapefruit and gin make a fantastic double act here; the botanicals of the gin and the light, heady taste of the fruit create an elegant drink whose grace is evocative of the 1920’s.

GARNISH NONE PAIRS BEST WITH ORANGE JUICE

GARNISH NONE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 30%

BAR D

JJ WHITLEY ELDERFLOWER GIN

MASONS SLOW DISTILLED SLOE

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND

YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

The newest gin created by Johnny Neill (a direct descendent of Thomas Greenall, the founder of Greenalls), JJ Whitley Elderflower Gin is a glorious burst of floral freshness. There is a candied sweetness to this gin but it is dominated by the unmistakeable taste of elderflower alongside grassy tones, orange blossom and honey.

Thought to be the very first gin of its kind, the talented team at Masons have created an incredible gin by distilling sloes (instead of the traditional infusion method). This is a full-bodied and fruity gin with a mellow sweetness and the unmistakable warmth of Masons.

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH STRAWBERRY AND MINT PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 38.6%

ABV 42%

BAR D

MASONS TEA GIN

POETIC LICENSE PICNIC GIN

YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND

Masons - Tea Edition is a smooth spirit with all the warmth of tea. Strong tannins meld wonderfully with a rich, almost malty, Yorkshire juniper, while faintly herbal background notes are supported by citrus. Yorkshire through and through, Masons even use Harrogate spring water.

Poetic License’s Picnic Gin is the epitome of summer, with the fresh taste of strawberries and cream perfectly melded with a bright, juniper gin. Created through a combination of both distillation and infusion, the creamy texture acts as the perfect platform for the juicy strawberries, all the while juniper maintains a subtle presence in the background, reminding you that this is still, at heart, a gin.

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH STRAWBERRIES PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE ELDERFLOWER TONIC

ABV 42%

ABV 37.5%

BAR D

PUERTO DE INDIAS STRAWBERRY GIN

SIDERIT GINGER LIME

SEVILLE, SPAIN

CANTABRIA, SPAIN

Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin is soft and delicate. It has intense aromas of strawberry and juniper on the nose while those flavours are subtle and joined by delicate touches of liquorice and gentle citrus notes. It’s creation almost didn’t happen – the master-distiller added mashed strawberries from a failed attempt at making a liqueur to a new project and Strawberry Gin was born.

Siderit use a rye base for their gins, creating a light spice that combines with the dominating lime and ginger flavours exceptionally well. There is a lovely bittersweet finish supported by subtle juniper notes. Siderit compare the union of ginger and lime to that of Yin and Yang, that opposite and complementary forces of nature can be combined to reach the perfect balance.

GARNISH STRAWBERRIES AND RASPBERRIES PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

GARNISH GINGER AND LIME PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE MEDITERRANEAN TONIC

ABV 37.5%

ABV 43%

BAR D

SIDERIT HIBISCUS CANTABRIA, SPAIN

SIKKIM FRAISE SPAIN

ABV 43%

ABV 40%

Siderit Hibiscus Gin uses the same 12 botanicals as in it’s London Dry, but concentrates on one of them in particular, hibiscus. The use of hibiscus in production gives this gin it’s light pink colour. With a powerful floral aroma, along with the juniper that breaks through, it is a soft gin with a light sweetness throughout.

Sikkim Fraise is full of juniper and summer berries. A gentle pine flavour combines with red tea, floral essences, strawberries of the forest and red cranberries. A slightly lemony coriander raises its head alongside a touch of bitter orange. A well balanced, invigorating gin!

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE LIGHT TONIC

GARNISH MINT PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

BAR D

SLINGSBY RHUBARB

SOVEREIGN APPLE & BLACKBERRY

YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, ENGLAND

Slingsby Rhubarb Gin is as fantastically fruity as it is thoroughly Yorkshire. It begins with a wonderful combination of rhubarb and raspberry, each treading the balance between sweet and tart. Pink grapefruit and a very mellow juniper follow before the tart, dry finish.

A rich and warming drink, Sovereign Apple and Blackberry Gin Liqueur, perfectly melds crisp gin with homely, autumnal flavours. Somewhat reminiscent of a favourite crumble, the soft berries and sharp apple are a stunning combination.

GARNISH RASPBERRIES PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH APPLE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE LEMONADE

ABV 40%

ABV 20%

BAR D

SOVEREIGN ELDERFLOWER & GOOSEBERRY

WHITLEY NEILL QUINCE

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, ENGLAND

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND

Sovereign Elderflower and Gooseberry Gin Liqueur is made by carefully blending a fabulous British gin with the delicate sweetness of elderflowers and the tart, freshness of gooseberries. Fruity yet floral, these English hedgerow flavours work wonderfully with the aromatic nature of gin.

Blending Persian herbs with Turkish quince juice, Whitley Neill Quince Gin has prominent stone fruits (peaches and apricots) but is dominated by the unmistakable flavour of quince. Coriander and lemon zest make a notable appearance before ending with a long, fruity finish. This spirit has been inspired by the Greenall Whitley familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taste for adventure and discovery.

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE SODA WATER

GARNISH ORANGE AND APPLE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 20%

ABV 43%

BAR D

WILLIAMS CHASE SEVILLE ORANGE GIN

ZYMURGORIUM EXTRAÂ GOOSEBERRY

HEREFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

Williams Chase make their full bodied and fruity gin by redistilling the cider from their organically grown apples, making their Seville Orange offering particularly fresh and fruity. Made with orange peel rather than marmalade, this citrusy gin has a full, sweet body with just a touch of elderflower. A beautifully presented spirit, almost light nectar in appearance, it has a natural, floral scent.

Gooseberries are an absolute classic British taste; from fools to pies and now to this fantastic puree liqueur. Using a gin with British juniper and over 20 other botanicals, the Extra stands for the increased amount of Cheshire Gooseberries which bring forth a refreshing and exquisite tartness.

GARNISH ORANGE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH NONE PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

ABV 40%

ABV 18%

BAR D E XCLUSIVE

ZYMURGORIUM ROSE

ZYMURGORIUM SWEET VIOLET

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

Zymurgorium’s English Hedge Rose Gin Liqueur is made with the finest rose petals which, once picked, are immediately infused in gin made from British juniper and over 20 other botanicals to ensure that none of the world class aroma and flavour are lost. Like all Zymurgorium liqueurs, Hedgerose is made with a unique gin base, distilled specifically for that particular liqueur.

Zymurgorium Violet has an incredible parma violet flavour with a good gin presence; it manages to avoid the tendency towards a syrup like viscosity that many gin liqueurs have. The sweet violets used to create this beautiful gin liqueur give it a sweet pastel flavour and provide a strong violet aroma.

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE INDIAN TONIC

GARNISH LEMON PAIRS BEST WITH FEVER-TREE LEMONADE

ABV 19%

VISIT OUR OFF LICENCE Take home your new favourite gin or gin gift

INTERVIEW WITH

SHAUN BEBINGTON AT POCKETFUL OF STONES

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO MAKE GIN?

Having worked in hospitality for the past 15 years I’ve seen a lot of trends come and go. Some good, some bad. I feel there is a great buzz around gin at the moment and I feel that buzz is here to stay. It is such a diverse spirit. It is also so versatile. Drink it neat, with tonic or in a cocktail.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE GIN IN YOUR OWN WORDS?

The gin I’m making is inspired by the Cornish countryside, its wildlife but most of all the Atlantic that surrounds her. My favourite time in Cornwall are those clean, clear, crisp spring mornings when winter is retreating and you’ve got the summer to look forward to. It fills you with hope, joy and excitement. I’ve tried to replicate this in the gin. FOUNDER SHAUN BEBINGTON

WE LOVE THAT YOU’RE RELEASING YOUR OWN SUMMER CUP; WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO REVIVE SUCH AN OLD STYLE? I want to make the most out of summer. The winters here are long, cold and so so wet. When the sun comes out I want to have a summer cup in my hand.

YOU SAY THAT YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE LOCAL AREA, HOW DOES THIS TRANSLATE INTO YOUR PRODUCTS?

Using local flora and fauna in our gins. Gorse goes into both our Dry and Midsummer gin. Local strawberries and raspberries go into our summer cup. We support the

JACKSON (LEFT) & VIRGINIA (RIGHT)

Cornish Wildlife Trust and I feel you get out what you put in. I know that mucking around in the mud for the day in Cornwall clears my mind and ultimately enables me to make a better product.

THAT IT’S “NICE TO BE NICE” ISN’T SOMETHING YOU SEE MUCH IN BUSINESS – HOW EASY DO YOU FIND THIS TO BE IN THE SPIRITS INDUSTRY? It’s pretty small down here. Everyone seems to know everyone. I like that it’s not all about money and fast cars. I’ve received a lot of help from people who you wouldn’t have thought would be up for passing on tips and techniques.

WE SUPPORT THE CORNISH WILDLIFE TRUST AND I FEEL YOU GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN.

HOW ARE YOUR PHILOSOPHY AND VALUES REFLECTED IN THE GIN AND THE COMPANY?

Like I said above you get out what you put in. It’s the same as cooking or painting. You don’t want to approach those when you’re angry or frustrated. I like to have a clear head after mucking around in the mud or braving the cold waters and going surfing, I also want to have a clear conscience about what I’m actually putting in the gin. We use fresh and local (wherever possible) rather that a concentrated flavour or essence.

WHAT’S YOUR TYPICAL DAY LIKE?

AFTER A LONG, HARD DAY AT THE DISTILLERY, WHAT DO YOU DRINK TO HELP YOU UNWIND? Negroni.

GIN AVA ABL AT BAIL RA E

I try not to rush things. Early morning surf check before heading to the distillery. If it is a distilling day, (we will have macerated all the ingredients overnight) we fire up Virginia our 400l copper pot still. Once we have our gin we will dilute it down to strength and let it chill for three days. We find that the flavour marry and become much better friends over time. This will happen in the bottle too but I like to make sure that what goes into the bottle is top. Bottling, labelling, boxing does take up quite a lot of our time as well.

THE CORNISH DRY IS PRETTY VERSATILE.

ASIDE FROM YOUR OWN, WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE GIN? This changes all the time. I had a Brooklyn Gin the other day which was amazing, Wrecking Coast and Trevethen are both great. Cotswolds is another.

G&T, COCKTAIL OR ON THE ROCKS? All of the above.

WHAT KIND OF DRINKS DO EACH OF YOUR GINS WORK BEST IN? The Cornish Dry is pretty versatile, works well on the rocks, with tonic or in a negroni or martini. The Midsummer I feel is a bit lost in the cocktail but works superbly with tonic and a cucumber garnish.

IS POCKETFUL OF STONES ALWAYS GOING TO BE ABOUT GIN OR DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR RANGE?

We have an absinthe we are planning on releasing this year and hoping to lay some whisky stock down fairly shortly. I have also been talking to Polgoon about getting some cider brandy done.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF/ POCKETFUL OF STONES IN A YEAR? I would like to get our name out there a wee bit more but I see more of a three to five year plan. The other spirits all need time to age and mature.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? Experimenting with new recipes and new ingredients. Immersing myself in the local environment. Living and working where I am.

IF YOU COULD ONLY HAVE ONE DRINK FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

What kind of question is that? My first thought was a negroni, but I can only handle a few of those. An Old Fashioned, I’d be drunk all the time. Wine, beer or cider, no not really. Whisky or rum, again I’d be drunk all the time. Truthfully it’s got to be a G&T. Photos from the interview taken by Ana Cross

ABOUT US JYM & MARIE

GinFestival.com is on a non-stop tour across the UK, bringing some of the world’s finest gins with it.

Established in 2013, with the first event held in Leeds, GinFestival.com began with husband and wife team, Jym and Marie Harris, who love gin and wanted to create events where people could go to find new gins, learn more about the spirit and have an excellent time along the way. These days, the events are bigger and better. There is a fantastic range of new gins, with exclusive offerings and even more to choose from than ever before. We bring with us a wealth of knowledge from distillers, brands and industry experts as well as providing fantastic food and amazing entertainment. Visiting cities and towns all across the UK, it’s grown massively: more events, a dedicated team, an online shop, a subscription service, but the idea of providing fantastic gins to more and more people is still at the heart of GinFestival.com. The UK’s premier gin events company, GinFestival.com is here to help everyone find their new, favourite gin, to champion small producers, and put on a damn, good event.

IVAL T S E F N I G

2016

GIN CHEAT SHEET

WHAT

WHERE

A juniper flavoured spirit.

Predominantly the United Kingdom, Spain and the USA, also, worldwide.

Can be found in various forms, including but not limited to: London Dry – clean, dry, piney, citrus Old Tom – soft, sweet, traditional, gentle spice New Western – modern, innovative, botanical democracy, varied Liqueurs – sweet, flavoured, infusions, below 37.5% ABV Also seen: Jenever – a juniper distilled malt wine and the precursor to gin PGI – unique style, specific to an area, e.g. Mahon Xoriguer Barrel rested – gins left to ‘age’ in barrels, take on characteristics of the wood Compound – neutral spirit infused with botanicals

Gin was first made in the 17th century by soldiers who’d tasted jenever during their time in the Netherlands and tried to recreate it back in the UK. Their end product was very different to the Dutch drink, piney, spiced and citrusy, it was a new drink, and a firmly British one - gin. Unsurprisingly, gin h as undergone some changes in the last 300 years. While many of these changes have occurred in gin’s home country, both Spain and the USA have played an instrumental role in the last decade. Spain has created and helped push a softer, sweeter style of gin whilst America is responsible for the popularity of balanced and bold gins that don’t place juniper at the forefront.

GIN CHEAT SHEET

WHEN

HOW

13th Century - Now

Pints, Purl, G&T, Cocktails and Gintonic

Gins origins are somewhat blurred; historians with a focus on booze tend to be a little hazy. Timeline 1st Century AD – Greek alchemists discover distillation. 12th Century AD – First known use of distillation for alcohol. 13th to 15th Century AD – Jenever is thought to have been created at some point during this period. 17th Century AD – The creation of gin in the UK. 20th Century AD – Gin fell spectacularly from fashion. 21st Century AD – Advent of second Gin Craze.

WHY Why not? Really, why not?

The how of gin is very much down to personal preference but has, over the centuries, developed from pints of neat gin (and boy, would that gin be rough - made in a pot still and with very questionable ingredients), to hot gin punches on the frozen Thames. The good old fashioned G&T was de rigeur for a while, thanks to tonic’s medical abilities (its key ingredient, quinine is an antimalarial prophylactic) before cocktails, or ‘mixed drinks’ took over. With a plethora of options and mixtures, cocktails reigned supreme for quite some time before being beaten to the post by the Spanish Gintonic. The Gintonic may sound similar to a G&T, what with both of them relying on gin and tonic, yet the Spanish variant is a sharper, fresher and more innovative style of drink that reflects specific flavourings and styles rather than such a prescriptive recipe as the G&Ts ice and a slice.

Index 5th - Fire ��72 1606 Gin ��13 1831 - Blue ��52 Addingham Cranberry and Orange ��72 Addingham Sloe ��73 Aviation American Gin ��52 Bathtub Gin ��32 Big Boss ��53 Bimber London Dry Gin ��32 Black Tomato Gin ��55 Blackwoods Vintage Dry 60% ��13 Bobby’s Schiedam Gin ��53 Braeckman’s Hazelnut Jenever ��74 Braeckman’s Vanille Jenever ��74 Brockmans ��15 Caspyn Midsummer Dry Gin ��15 City of London Distillery Old Tom Gin ��16 Conker Gin ��33 Cotswold Dry Gin ��33 Cucumber Gin ��34 Daffy’s ��16 Dà Mhìle Seaweed Gin ��34 Dingle ��55 Eccentric Citrus Overload ��35

INDEX

Edinburgh Elderflower ��76 Edinburgh Plum and Vanilla ��76 Edinburgh Rhubarb and Ginger ��77 Electric Spirit Co. Achroous ��37 Electric Spirit Co. Lux ��37 Elephant Gin ��56 Ely Dark Chocolate ��78 Ely Pink Grapefruit ��78 Esker Gin ��35 Friday Chic ��56 Gin Mare ��57 Gin Sea ��58 Greensand Ridge Gin ��17 G’vine Floraison ��57 Half Hitch ��17 Hoxton Gin ��38 Hunters ��18 Inverroche Amber Gin ��58 Jawbox Gin ��18 JJ Whitley Elderflower Gin ��79 K-25 ��59 Kalevala ��59 Kokoro ��38 La Vita E’Bella ��62 Leeds Gin ��19 Le Gin 1&9 ��60 Le Gin Christian Drouin ��60

Mahon Xoriguer Gin ��61 Malfy ��61 Manchester Three Rivers Gin ��39 Masons ��20 Masons Slow Distilled Sloe ��79 Masons Tea Gin ��80 Nelson’s Gin ��20 No. 209 ��63 Nordes ��63 Opihr ��39 Pink 47 ��40 Pink Pepper ��64 Pinkster ��21 Poetic License Northern Dry ��23 Poetic License Old Tom ��23 Poetic License Picnic Gin ��80 Porter’s Gin ��21 Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin ��81 Ragnarok ��62 Raisthorpe Manor Oak Aged ��24 Rock Rose ��24 Rubbens Poppies ��64 Siderit Ginger Lime ��81 Siderit Hibiscus ��82 Sikkim Fraise ��82 Silent Pool ��25 Silverback ��42

Silver Fox Gin ��40 Sir Robin of Locksley ��42 Slingsby Gin ��25 Slingsby Rhubarb ��83 Sly Gin Verbena ��43 Sovereign Apple & Blackberry ��83 Sovereign Elderflower & Gooseberry ��84 Stirling ��43 Strathearn Oaked Highland Gin ��26 Tarquin’s Gin ��45 Thompsons Bordelais Grape Gin ��65 Tinker ��45 Tinto ��65 Trevethan Cornish Gin ��26 Two Birds ��46 White Rose Leeds Gin ��19 Whitley Neill ��27 Whitley Neill Quince ��84 Whittaker’s Gin Pink Peculier ��46 Wicked Wolf Exmoor Gin ��47 Wight Mermaid Gin ��47 Willem Barentz ��27 Williams Chase Seville Orange Gin ��85 Zymurgorium Extra Gooseberry ��85 Zymurgorium Rose ��86 Zymurgorium Sweet Violet ��86 INDEX

#GINFESTIVAL ALL PRODUCTS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY & POSSIBLE CHANGE

@GINFESTIVAL

TELL US WHAT YOU HAVE DISCOVERED

Â£3.00