Plymouth Gin

PLYMOUTH GIN IS A LIVING LEGEND IN THE ARCHIVES OF DRINKS HISTORY. THE WORLD’S FIRST SPIRIT TO BE CALLED “DRY GIN”, WHEN IT WAS FIRST DEVELOPED IN 1793, IT WAS THE ONLY ENGLISH GIN TO BE GRANTED A PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION.

BELOVED BY THE BRITISH ROYAL NAVY and famed explorers alike, Plymouth Gin sailed the seven seas and travelled from pole to pole, gaining notoriety at every port. It was supplied to the British Royal Navy at high strength of 57 per cent, which is coincidentally the strength that allowed gun powder to explode should the gin be spilt on it. Today Plymouth is bottled at a strength of 41.2% ABV.

Plymouth Gin is a handcrafted, artisanal gin, still made according to the traditional recipe created in 1793. Well known for its extensive history and discovery path, the spirit has been batch distilled using a single copper pot still at the historic Black Friars Distillery since 1793. The copper pot still used today is the same that was installed at the distillery during the Victorian era in 1855.

The Plymouth Gin Distillery is the oldest working gin distillery in England. The medieval building dates back to 1431 and the Distillery’s historic bar, The Refectory, is believed to be the room where the Pilgrim Fathers spent their last night before setting sail for the New World.

Plymouth Gin is handcrafted in small batches, in stills only used for gin, to assure the brand’s super-premium quality. The process follows distillation methods passed down over the generations from one master distiller to the next, and begins when pure grain spirit, water and the botanicals are placed in the pot, before steam heat is gently applied until boiling temperature is reached. The spirit, now in vapour form, rises slowly through the high swan neck of the still where, as the vapour cools in the attached condenser, it becomes a liquid with the subtle flavours of the botanical mix.

ABOVE: Master Distiller Sean Harrison.

BELOW: Inside the distillery.

To ensure the high-quality of Plymouth Gin is delivered, it is the master distiller’s responsibility to monitor the process, and select the middle cut at the perfect moment. Only the middle cut of the distilled spirit is used for Plymouth Gin, as the heads (the first part of the run) contain some botanical oils that are still too volatile and unstable to use. By the time the tails come through, the desired natural flavour of the essential oils has been depleted. It is this middle cut, when the more volatile oils have settled down, where the natural flavours are optimised.

There are seven botanicals including juniper, lemon peel, orange peel, orris root, angelica root, cardamom pods and coriander seeds which are essential in creating the smooth, full flavour of Plymouth, each of which are checked for quality by their Master Distiller.

Careful mentoring and years of experience have taught current Master Distiller Sean Harrison how to select the harvests of botanicals that are worthy of being used in Plymouth Gin. Selecting the perfect pure grain spirit is another skill that has been passed down from distiller to distiller.

Sean Harrison knows how much of each botanical must be married to a quantity of spirit; how much time these elements must steep to blend the flavours, aromas, and textures. But it is knowing when to collect the “heart” of the distillation that is the ultimate distiller’s art.

Just as the Royal Navy played a role in developing Plymouth Gin’s original export business, it is only fitting that this former Lieutenant in the Royal Navy is playing a key role in the brand’s international revitalisation. ❧

Tasting notes

PLYMOUTH GIN

Appearance: Crystal clear

Aroma: Rich, fresh aroma of juniper followed by notes of coriander and cardamom

Flavour: Extremely smooth, creamy and full bodied with a slight sweetness and an elegant, long, fresh and aromatic finish PLYMOUTH SLOE GIN

Appearance: Deep red

Aroma: Clear character of mellow sloe berries, fruity with notes of sweet cherry and a slight scent of almonds

Flavour: Smooth, fruity and fullbodied with a balanced sweetness and acidity. in a long, fresh and fruity finish