There is some dispute about who first created gin, but we credit Dutchman Franciscus de la Boe Sylvius, a professor of medicine who was experimenting with juniper as a diuretic in the 1550s. He infused juniper into white spirit and it was sold in chemists as a treatment for stomachaches, gout and gallstones. During the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) Dutch soldiers in the chilly trenches were fed gin for its warming properties. When Dutchman William of Orange became King of England he took gin with him. At the time England was at war with France so they had stopped buying French brandy and wine and started distilling gin. So if you need a little Dutch Courage, make sure it’s gin.
England 40% ABV
Inspired by the ancient “Spice Route” this London dry Gin combines classic botanicals with cubeb berries and black pepper to give bursts of citrus with rich, earthy aromas and a soft spice finish.
GIN LANE 1751 VICTORIA PINK
£3
England 40% ABV
Smooth, refreshing and floral with a gentle hint of spiced bitters which gives this classically distilled Gin its lovely soft pink colouring.
6 O’CLOCK
£4
England 43% ABV
“Smoother than velvet slippers on a marble floor” Distilled by a small, family run producer in Gloucestershire this London dry has overtones of citrus and elderflower to give a clean, crisp tipple.
MALFY
£4
Italy 41% ABV
Distilled just outside Turin this fresh and lively Gin is laced with lemons grown on the coast. Combined with botanicals such as Cassia bark and Angelica if you close your eyes and take a sip you could almost be watching the glowing sun slowly sink behind the azure blue of the Mediterranean!
MANCHESTER THREE RIVERS
£4
England 40% ABV
Inspired by the distilleries location near the rivers Irk, Irwell and Medlock this locally produced small batch dry Gin uses 11 botanicals including Vanilla, Cinnamon, Almond and Oats. It has a warmth and spice about it, comparable to the great city it is distilled in.
THOMAS DAKIN
£4
England 42% ABV
This single distilled London dry is another northern success. The original distillery was founded in Warrington in 1761 and is now based in Manchester. It’s a juniper led classic gin with the addition of red cole (we had to look it up too!) which gives it an extra zing on the palate.
TARQUINS
£4
England 42% ABV
Distilled in Cornwall this contemporary take on a London dry is only produced in batches of 300 bottles. It hosts some classic botanicals with some notable additions of butter almond, liquorice root and Devon violets to give it a soft floral edge.
SLOANES
£4
England 40% ABV
Named after Sir Hans Sloane a renowned botanist who brought juniper and numerous other botanicals to England in the 17th century, thus enabling us to produce English Gin ever since. The 9 botanicals give a rounded flavour with just a slight hint of citrus and vanilla.
ONE KEY
£5
Slovenia 40% ABV
We love this bottle as well as the gin too! This Slovenian beauty is soft and smooth with gentle tones of coriander and ginger.
FOUR PILLARS
£5
Australia 41.8% ABV
A small batch Gin made in a craft distillery in the Yarra valley, Victoria. Its safe to say this rare dry Gin is a long way from home, however, we feel its travelled well. Using some of the classic botanicals with the addition of some home grown Ozzie ingredients such as pepperberry and lemon myrtle gives this a rather exotic taste and aroma.
ALKKEMIST
£5
Spain 40% ABV
“Distilled by the light of the full moon” A mysterious and unusual cast member to our chorus of Gins. This Spanish beast, has no less than 21 botanicals including samphire, chamomile, muscat grapes and rose petals. These give it a heady floral aroma and a burst of fruit on the palate.
BERTHAS REVENGE
£5
Ireland 42% ABV
This smooth, warming and gently spiced Gin is made from a base of whey spirit instead of grain spirit. Its botanicals include elderflower and sweet woodruff giving it an aroma of a spring walk in the lush Irish countryside.
POPPIES 14:18
£5
Belgium 40% ABV
This Flemish Gin was first distilled in the 1st World War and enjoyed by our boys on rare occasions away from the trenches, hence its name. It has an aromatic aroma with a hint of pine from the juniper berries.
SHARISH BLUE MAGIC
£6
Portugal 40% ABV
This curious little number is made up of classic botanicals all grown in Portugal with the addition of strawberries, raspberries and blue pea flower which gives the gin its distinctive blue colour. “What’s magic about it?” We hear you ask. Just add your mixer to reveal the surprise. Spicy at first leading into fresh citrus and a smack of juicy berries to finish off.
THE ORIGINAL MANCHESTER GIN
£6
England 40% ABV
Distilled right here in Irlam using a honey wine base and incorporating a over 20 botanicals this one is complex and sophisticated with aromas of spice and honey and gentle herbal notes on the palate.
ORMSKIRK
£6
England 42% ABV
This small batch Gin (only 20 bottles per batch) is distilled just up the road in the West Lancashire town that bears its name. It is citrus led with aromatic floral tones and a little kick of ginger in homage to the gingerbread that the town was famous for.
HERNO OLD TOM
£7
Sweden 43% ABV
From the only Gin distillery in Sweden, this clean, slightly sweet and lightly spiced Gin uses classic botanicals enhanced with Swedish Lingon berries and British meadowsweet. Honey and sugar are then added prior to bottling to give it a little sweetness. We hope the experience is better than a trip to the famous furniture store of the same parentage!
MIKKELLER BOTANICAL
£7
Denmark 44% ABV
Another Scandinavian export. This small batch Gin is fresh, aromatic and as smooth as silk. With its botanicals including lemon grass and cardamom it has a gentle warmth and at 44% we hope it makes you feel Hygge.
TASTING NOTES
TASTING NOTES
I
TONICS Britvic Low Calorie Tonic
£1
Bottle Green Pomegranate and Elderflower Tonic
£1½
Fever Tree Aromatic Tonic
£1½
Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic
£1½
Franklin & Sons Sicilian Lemon Tonic
£1½
GARNISH We have selected a range of fresh and dried accompaniments which we feel both compliment and present each Gin at its best. If there is anything you’re not too keen on, then please let us know and we will either leave it out or substitute with another.