A Hymn to Welsh Gin
Fancy a cheeky G&T? Kerry Christiani sure does and there are plenty of Welsh ones to choose from Wales has gone mad for craft gin recently, with gin-devoted bars and distilleries popping up at a rate of knots, many of them putting a unique and innovative spin on flavours or foraging for their own botanicals. From the moor-clad hills of the Brecons to the valleys of the south and the mountains of Snowdonia, we’ve toured the country to handpick six small-batch gins worth singing about, including one that has the royal seal of approval.
Mountain spirit Brecon Gin, Penderyn Distillery
As you’re cruising through the southern foothills of the Brecons, you might well feel a thirst coming on. If so, head over to Penderyn Distillery. They made their name in whisky, but their Brecon Gin is equally worthy of note, made with the purest water that flows down from the Brecon Beacons National Park. The premium Brecon Botanicals Gin is more complex and has a really unusual finish. Hour-long, behind-the-scenes distillery tours are also available. Tasting notes: Brecon Gin reveals a hit of fresh juniper, followed by coriander and hints of citrus fruits, cinnamon, nutmeg, liquorice and angelica. Brecon Botanicals Gin has a similar juniper aroma, laced with coriander and citrus, but you get all kinds of stuff as it opens up: cinnamon, cloves and even saffron. Mix it with: sip neat or with tonic and lemon or fresh mint and cucumber. Buy it from: Online (www.penderynstore.com). Brecon Gin, £22, Brecon Botanicals Gin, £28
G & Royal T Dà Mhìle, Llandysul
In the back of beyond in Ceredigion stands a farm distillery like no other: Dà Mhìle (pronounced ‘da-veelay’). Their background is in whisky, but they’ve also carved out a reputation for one-of-a-kind organic craft gins. Indeed, Prince Charles himself stopped by for a tasting earlier this year. Entry level is the Botanical Gin, a blend of 18 botanicals, some grown on the farm, including gorse, red clover and elder. Infused with handpicked seaweed, the Seaweed Gin goes brilliantly with all kinds of seafood. They also make interesting oak-aged and sloe gins. Tours run at 3pm from Wednesday to Friday; book ahead. Tasting notes: My favourite was the Botanical Gin. It has a subtle aroma of rose petals, spice and juniper, but there are also hints of dandelion and peppery cloves. Mix it with: Neat with ice or with lime and cucumber Buy it from: Online (www.damhile.co.uk/shop), £34.
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