Like Pimms, cricket, frustration at the national football team and bad weather, gin has a rich history as a fundamental part of the British experience. Hattie Curl goes in search of Surrey & SW London's finest distillers
Is there anything better than an ice cold G&T on a hot summers day? Well or on a cold winters day ... ok pretty much any day! There's just something utterly magical about that special combination of botanicals, garnish and lovely quinine-infused tonic water that slides down the ol gullet.
And what a time to be alive it is if your pulse races at the thought of ice and a slice! Since those fine chaps at Sipsmith managed to get the small batch distillation laws changed there has been an absolute explosion in distillers whipping up tasty batches of Britain's favourite tipple, from tiny 12 litre boutiques to the mammoth commercial stills churning out thousands of bottles at a time.
Being thoroughly partial to a G&T myself I thought it was about time someone put together a round up of the finest purveyors of gin in Surrey & SW London. So, without further ado I give you Surrey & SW London's finest gin distillers, cheers!
Fun Fact: While British sailors received a daily rum ration, British naval officers got a daily ration of gin.
Silent Pool, Albury
Silent Pool Distillery is nestled on the Albury Estate in the Surrey Hills, next to the beautiful Silent Pool, a spring-fed lake at the foot of the North Downs, with an alleged ghost. It was in these picturesque surroundings that a group of friends came together to create a distillery producing handcrafted, artisan spirits.
Although the distillery at Silent Pool is well known for its fantastic gin, other products are lovingly crafted there too. These include Wry vodka, a limited edition English rose gin, a navy strength gin and various limited edition alcoholic gin cordials and eau de vies.
Gin lovers and the ‘ginterested’ are welcomed to the distillery for 90 minute tours of the gin experience. From formulating to distilling to bottling the award-winning liqueur, it all happens in the one place. You’ll get the chance to sample a range of spirits, learn all about the specific reasons why certain botanicals have been selected and ask lots of questions. A great, boozy evening out.
Book here
For more info: silentpooldistillers.com
Sipsmith, Chiswick
In 2009, childhood friends Sam and Fairfax, with the help of Jared, opened the doors to Sipsmith. Having pioneered a change in the law and essentially pave the way for other small boutique distilleries, Sipsmith became the first copper-pot based distillery to start up in London in almost 200 years. Its first distilling vessel named 'Prudence' was hand crafted in Germany, and its swan like shape has lent itself to their brand logo.
The gin is handcrafted in small batches with skill, care and love. Never made from concentrate, it is made the way gin used to be. The result is stunningly smooth, full of character and exploding with flavour.
As well as the delicious London dry gin, Sipsmith distill VJOP gin (Very Junipery Over Proof) at 57.7% ABV which is very popular, as are the London cup and sloe gins. The two bespoke vodkas on offer – sipping and damson – stay true to the Sipsmith philosophy too and retain a perfectly balanced flavour.
As proud gin makers, Sipsmith love sharing what happens in the distillery with other like-minded spirits. There are tours of the distillery available where you will be able to hear some stories about gin in London and receive a tutored tasting of their award-winning spirits. Delicious!
Book here
For more info: sipsmith.com
Fun fact: The country with the world's highest per-capita gin consumption is the Philippines, with an estimated 25 million cases consumed annually.
Bombay Sapphire, Laverstoke Mill
Steeped in years of history and tradition, this legendary distillery just outside of Surrey is home to one of the most world famous and renowned gin brands. Housed in a 300 year old paper Mills with over 1000 years of its own history, it was transformed with a large amount of patience and dedication in to a state of the art, sustainable distillery and renamed the Laverstoke Mill.
Laverstoke Mill is the perfect setting to showcase the unique Vapour Infusion distillation process and the ten exotic botanicals that go into every drop of the world class gin. The botanicals can be explored in their natural state in the stunning glasshouses which are a perfect juxtaposition to the surrounding Georgian and Victorian architecture.
A variety of different tours and masterclasses are available, from a leisurely sojourn which allows you to explore the distillery at your own pace on your own terms, to guided tours and full gin cocktail making sessions.
Book here
For more info: bombaysapphire.com
Nicholas Culpeper, Gatwick
The world's first ever airport gin distillery recently opened at Gatwick airport's North terminal. The Nicholas Culpeper Pub & Dining has created its own unique recipe for London Dry Gin which is distills onsite producing up to 12 litres of gin per batch. Named after the famous botanist, it is distilled from an exotic blend of ingredients including Chinese cassia bark and Angelica root from India.
Gatwick and The Restaurant Group teamed up to create the gin after seeing a significant jump in the sales of premium gin over the last five years. Premium gins now account for 40% of all of Gatwick's gin sales, compared to 10% of sales in 2011.
Each bottle of gin is truly unique, with its own stamp including batch number, production date and signature of the distiller that day. The gin is only able to be purchased in house, but due to its location just before security, holidaymakers and other members of the public are able to pop in for a unique Nicholas Culpeper gin cocktail before a flight.
For more info: gatwickairport.com
Fun fact: At one time there was a working gin still in one out of every four habitable structures in London.
Beckett's Gin, Kingston-upon-Thames
The Beckett's gin distillery is located in Kingston-upon-Thames, the borough where the first King of England, King Athelstan was crowned in 925AD. Therefore it is no surprise that Beckett's London dry gin and sloe gin are appropriately and quintessentially English. It is the only gin in the world infused with English juniper berries, which are carefully handpicked under strict supervision from Box Hill, Surrey. In addition to this, the mint used is from Kingston-upon-Thames, further adding to the delicious and distinct English flavour.
The unique blend of six complementary botanicals in the London dry gin creates a warm, aromatic and bittersweet character with a smooth, cool finish. The limited edition sloe gin is fruity and smooth, and contains the all important sloe berry once again handpicked from Box Hill. An extremely English gin, it is like no other in its flavour and local ingredients.
For a whole host of specially created cocktails using Beckett's gin, check here
For more info: beckettsgin.co.uk
The London Distillery Company, Battersea
The London Distillery Company is housed in a former Victorian dairy cold room in Battersea. Built with the goal to finally realise Ralph Dodd's dream of creating a successful distillery producing good quality spirits back in 1807, TLDC opened as London's first whisky distillery since 1903 and now produces a scrumptious and popular gin.
The distillery is committed to producing an organic gin and as a green, eco-friendly company is determined to leave as small a carbon footprint as possible, with the aim of powering the distillery using only hydrocarbon alternative energy as soon as possible. The small batch gin is made using an eclectic mix of juniper berries, red raspberry leaf, angelica, fresh lime peel, bay laurel, cardamon and honey from London.
Although the distillery does not offer regular tours, you are able to book them by appointment and see their traditional copper still 'Christina' in all her glory, whilst sampling the delectable gin.
Book here
For more info: londondistillery.com
Fun fact: The gin and tonic first gained popularity in the British colonies, as the quinine in the tonic water was found to be a deterrent to malaria-carrying mosquitoes. However, the bitterness of the quinine was unpalatable, so gin was added to make the drink taste better.
Battersea Distillery, Battersea
The Four Thieves pub and bar in Battersea recently began brewing its own ales and distilling its very own gin. The bar takes its name from the four grave robbers who would douse themselves in lavender oil to repel fleas carrying the plague during the Black Death. Lavender harvested from the pub's roof garden is used as the headline botanical in the Four Thieves Gin, partially as a nod to the site's construction on a former lavender field.
Gin lovers need to visit Four Thieves, as they carry an additional 45 gins behind the bar, giving visitors a choice of around 250 gin and tonic combos. A mecca for G&T lovers, be sure to check out this bar and try one of their sumptuous unions.
For more info: fourthieves.pub
Juniper Green, Clapham
Juniper Green organic gin is distilled at the Thames Distillery near Clapham. Thames is now the only gin distillery which both distills and bottles gin in London, thus making Juniper Green a truly, traditional London Dry Gin. A pioneering brand, it was the first gin in the world to be classed as organic, so with every sip you are tasting history mingled with the clean and smooth flavour.
Juniper Green Organic Gin has benefited from three centuries of experience, with its carefully selected organic botanicals including juniper, coriander, angelica and the herb savory. On sale for a very reasonable price, this is definitely a bargain gin for those with an expensive palate.
For more info: junipergreen.org
Fun fact: London Dry Gin doesn't have to be made in London, the flavours just have to be distilled from all natural ingredients.
Stovell's Wildcrafted Gin, Chobham
A distinctly fruity gin, to be served with oodles of blueberries, blackberries or raspberries, Stovell's is certainly a one of a kind. Developed, distilled, blended and bottled at Stovell's fine dining restaurant, it is an independent English gin.
All of the botanicals used are sustainably wildcrafted, and unlike most gins, the recipe contains no citrus, no coriander and no orris root. Instead, the menagerie of wild seeds, fruits, herbs and spices make for a refreshingly different tipple.
Unfortunately batch number 11 has sold out, but pre orders are currently available for batch 12, which is sure to be even tastier.
Check here
For more info: stovellsgin.co.uk
Beefeater, Kennington
Housed in an Edwardian building, the Beefeater Distillery features original Victorian pot stills and a botanical room where the fresh ingredients are stored to hand craft the recipe that has remained virtually unchanged since the 1800s.
Beefeater gin is the world's most awarded gin, it contains nine botanicals and is often best served with a slice of lemon or orange to really enhance the citrus flavours. As a firm favourite with people from all over the world for many years, it is a great gin with a strong flavour profile.
The distillery recently opened its custom-built visitor centre to allow gin connoisseurs to see these original stills, view the distilling process and learn about the history of gin in London. Tours last around one hour and tickets can be bought online.
Book here
For more info: beefeaterdistillery.com
Fun fact: Navy strength gin is an exceptionally strong spirit with a minimum of 57% alcohol. It's called ‘navy strength’ because its alcohol level guaranteed that a ship’s gun powder would still ignite if the gin was accidentally spilled on it.
Tallyho Gin & Food Cycle Tours, London
For something a little bit different, why not try a Tallyho gin and food bike tour around London, soaking in the sights whilst sampling gorgeous food and drink.
The bike ride includes a gin tasting and free G&T after you have sipped, tasted & learnt about the marvels of gin making at a boutique small-batch distillery. Afterwards you will have the opportunity to enjoy the sights and smells of London's finest artisan food markets. A great day out, and sure to be lots of fun.
Book here
For more info: tallyhocycletours.com
Thirsty for more? Check out another one of our great Food & Drink pieces like our round up of the best cheese and wine experiences in Surrey
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