Table of Contents
There is nothing more quintessentially British than a good gin and tonic. Gin tours and distilleries are popping up all over the UK, supplying the market with new, trendy bottles and flavours.
With the appetite for gin on the rise these days, you can go on a ‘gin tour’, make your own bottle (using the botanicals and ingredients of your choice) or do a gin tasting from the world’s largest gin selection at the Feathers Hotel in Oxfordshire. Describe the flavours you like, or even the mood you’re in, and an expert barman will select from over 170 types of gin.
City of London Distillery – A gin distillery in the heart of the city
The City of London has a rich history of gin distilling. Throughout the 18th century there was a gin shop or distillery on every corner. These shops took full advantage of the spices and citrus fruits arriving at the Port of London. Over the years, the popularity of gin declined, only to be revived with the opening of the City of London Distillery in 2012. The new distillery improved on the old distilling techniques and introduced more subtle flavours.
The distillery’s first gin was City of London, followed by four others: Christopher Wren, Old Tom, Sloe Gin and Square Mile. The distillery produces small batches for special customers and hotels, and hosts corporate events at its premises. They welcome visitors for a guided tour and to learn about their gin making techniques.
Plymouth Gin Distillery – Where it all began
The Port of Plymouth was the birthplace of Plymouth Gin in 1793. The historic Black Friars Distillery is the oldest working gin distillery in England. Gin from this distillery travelled the world with the British Royal Navy, becoming the favourite of seafaring pioneers and remains popular throughout the world.
The Black Friars building was built in the 1400s. The Refectory, a medieval hall with a hull-shaped timber roof, is where the Pilgrim Fathers are said to have spent their last night before sailing on the Mayflower to the New World
The Chase Distillery, Rosemaund Farm, Hereford
Chase is a true farm-to-bottle distillery. The farm grows premium potatoes and apples in some of the richest soil in England. These fine products (King Edward and Lady Claire potatoes and cider apples) are the basis for the distillation of Chase’s vodkas. The vodkas are the basis for the gins.
Most gins use a neutral grain spirit mixed with water, with equal amounts of water and botanicals. Chase Distillery has complete control over their production. They use their own vodka made from their own farm produce. It’s the single estate approach that forms the basis of all their products. The distillery produces 5 vodkas, 2 liqueurs and 4 gins; Williams Elegant Gin, Williams GB Extra Dry, William Chase Seville Orange Gin and Chase Summer Fruit Cup.
Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Whitchurch, Hampshire
A warren of red brick buildings, the former Laverstoke Mill is now home to the Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery. The beautiful red brick of the building has been married to a unique set of handmade, graceful glasshouses. These flow out of the side of the building like two giant arms and contain the botanicals (juniper, lemon and liquorice).
Tours are available of both the distillery and the flavour laboratory. Visitors can enjoy a snifter (a footed glass, wide at the bottom and tapered at the top, used for gin and other drinks) in the Empire Bar or visit the Mill Bar on the beautiful River Test for a drink on the house.
Eurostar Gin, Surrey Hills
Toujours 21 is a new gin with a smooth and fruity taste. It was created to celebrate Eurostar’s 21st birthday, which marks the launch of its new high-speed trains (London to Paris and Brussels). The gin is flavoured with French botanicals and classic floral notes of the British countryside (English lavender and angelica). It embodies the historic Eurostar partnership between the French and the British, with Raymond Blanc OBE and Silent Pool Distillery working together to create this distinctive gin.
Silent Pool Distillery produces handcrafted artisan spirits. They use a bespoke copper still and a restored vintage wood-fired steam boiler that burns locally sourced sustainable hardwoods. They are located in Albury, in the Surrey Hills.
Toujours 21 can be sampled in Eurostar Business Premier lounges in London, Paris and Brussels.
The Beefeater Distillery, Kennington, London
In 1863, James Burrough bought a distillery in Chelsea for £400. Later, in 1876, he began experimenting, inventing and using different processes and soon realised that mixing a recipe of botanicals produced a bold, full-bodied gin – Beefeater was born!
Burrough’s method of steeping and distilling and his secret recipe have not changed. To create Beefeater, he steeped lemon peel and Seville oranges with whole juniper berries and other botanicals for 24 hours before distilling. This reasonably priced, popular gin is widely available and considered a ‘classic gin’ that has stood the test of time.
The distillery is housed in an Edwardian building, and although there is a 1950s extension, it still has the original Victorian pot stills. It also has a purpose-built visitor centre where visitors can see the Beefeater distillation process and learn about the history of gin in London.
