A tale of passion

Nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Cotswolds countryside, the Cotswolds Distillery was born from a dream to produce delicious spirits in one of the most beautiful regions in the world.

From hedgefunds to HEDGEROWS
It all started back in 2014, when our founder Dan, a native New Yorker and whisky connoisseur, had moved to the Cotswolds after working in finance in London for many years. Seeking to leave behind that world and spend more time in the picturesque countryside of the Cotswolds with his family, it eventually dawned on him that he could combine his love of whisky with his desire to start a new business. A dedicated whisky fan, Dan saw the fields of golden barley around his house in the Cotswolds and had a brainwave ‘I suddenly thought, there’s barley all over the Cotswolds and nobody’s distilling it, let’s be the first!’ Having found a derelict site near his house, he set about building a distillery and a team to run it, and the doors of the Cotswolds Distillery opened in July 2014.

The making of our GIN

Although Dan's dream was always to make whisky, he also wanted to create a full range of delicious spirits including gins and liqueurs. Our first project was the gin, on which we spent two months researching botanical recipes. We distilled 150 individual botanical spirits in a whole range of different flavors and set about experimenting with different combinations. Our distillers created over 60 individual gin recipes which we whittled down to one finalist, and that became our Cotswolds Dry Gin. It may have started as something of a side-project, but it’s now at the heart of what we do and we’re very proud of what we’ve created.

Our Old Tom Gin features botanicals historically found in traditional Old Tom recipes dating back to the 1700s, including orange peel, liquorice and angelica root. Sweetened with a touch of sugar syrup, our Cotswolds Old Tom Gin is delicate and fragrant with notes of candied orange, light herbal notes and faint ginger spice and is delicious enjoyed either with tonic or in a Tom Collins cocktail.

CAREFULLY SOURCED INGREDIENTS
Juniper, coriander, angelica, fresh orange peel, liquorice root, ground ginger, caraway and cardamom.

TASTING NOTES

NOSE: Delicate and sweet, fragrant orange peel balanced with light herbal notes.

PALATE: Candied orange, rounded off with faint ginger spice.

FINISH: Sweet and viscous with hints of cardamom and Seville orange.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

We enjoy our Old Tom neat, garnished with fresh orange peel, but you could try making a Tom Collins cocktail by adding lemon juice, soda and sugar syrup for a longer, refreshing serve.

Maker Notes

At the heart of our recipe is Juniperus Procera, the only species of juniper indigenous to the southern hemisphere. Procera means “tall” in Latin and when you walk through the Procera forest of the Kenya highlands, you understand why straightaway, as you’re dwarfed by these majestic giants. Native to the highlands of Kenya, and growing only above 1500 metres above sea level, this is what makes African juniper so special. Whereas common juniper grows in temperate zones and receives only summer sun for three months a year, our Procera berries receive about seven hours of daily sunlight all year round. Situated at 2200 metres, the Kijabe forest where we harvest our juniper receives even stronger, more direct sun. Hence a richness of flavour and essential oils that only the equatorial sun can provide.

We partner with the Kijabe Forest Trust, an organisation founded to protect the native forests of Kijabe from poaching of both animals and trees. They in turn work with the local communities to collect the Procera berries once they are fully ripe at the end of the short rains around the middle of the year. We know it is time to start harvesting the juniper when the local family of baboons start veraciously devouring them due to their appetising sweetness.

The Procera berries had never been used commercially before we started harvesting them and hence we’ve had to learn everything from scratch. From where the best berries grow, to when to harvest them and how to process them, every step has been a journey of discovery. It is crucial not to let the berries ferment once collected and they must be air dried for about a week before they can be flash frozen to maintain optimal freshness and brightness for distilling throughout the entire year.

By showing the local communities that each tree has a direct monetary value each year, not only are more trees being planted but there is also a reduction in the felling of the old trees. We hope that the world comes to realise that the unparalleled sun and terroir of Kijabe creates a better juniper berry with which to make gin. We dream that in the future, “African Dry Gin” will become a designated category which: must be distilled in Africa; must use African Juniper; must use only botanicals grown on the continent. If this dream were to be realised and there were 10 more Kenyan distilleries, the future of these magnificent juniper forests would not only be assured, but the reforestation of their old habitat across the entire Kenya highlands would become much more probable.

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Mexico City Extra Dry Gin.

Formulated to encapsulate a sunny Mexican afternoon; Golden hour with friends, where the evening’s unwritten possibilities expand; Mexican springtime in a bottle.

Xoconostle y Azahar is a clean, bright, fragrant and intriguing expression of gin, combining indigenous desert cactus fruit with the floral notes of orange blossom and the zest of Mexican limes.   

Infused with prickly pear, orange blossom, raspberry, juniper berries, coriander seeds and lime.

BOTANICALS

PRICKLY PEAR: Xoconostle. Mexico’s coat of arms bears an eagle perched on top of a prickly pear cactus devouring a rattlesnake. The design is rooted in the legend that the Aztecs would know where to build their city Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City) when they saw this scene.

ORANGE BLOSSOM: Azahar. One of the rare plants that blooms and bears fruit at the same time, the sun-colored orange tree evokes the abundance of a springtime afternoon.

What was once a 15th-century monastic building is now home to the Plymouth Distillery, also known as the Black Friars Distillery, the only remaining distillery in Plymouth, England. The Port of Plymouth was once a "beacon for explorers," an important hub of commerce for maritime traders. Although "Plymouth Gin" is a distinction reserved only for gins that are distilled in Plymouth England, the Plymouth brand is the only brand produced in the area. The Plymouth Distillery was built in 1431 and was once a Dominican Order (also known as the Black Friars) monastery. Since repurposing and opening their doors as a distilling business in 1793, the distillery has been producing the Plymouth brand under Fox & Williamson (which switched names thereafter to Coates & Co). After changing hands several times, England's oldest working distillery and its brand are now produced under the colossal Pernod Ricard. The distillery's buildings served many purposes throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. After housing a monastery, in 1536 it became the town's "Marshalsea" (debtor's prison). It is believed that this location was where the first Non-Conformist meeting took place, also serving as a billet for Huguenot refugees. Later on, it was said to have housed the Pilgrim Fathers during their last night in England in 1620, before they boarded the Mayflower. Plymouth Gin is crafted with 7 botanicals. Juniper berries are there for the aromas of pine and a touch of bitterness, coriander seeds bring citrusy notes, then there's orange and lemon peels for even more fresh zestiness, while angelica root, green cardamom, and orris root add some menthol, dryness, and sweetness. The precise ratios are a secret, but there's a distinct earthiness, sweetness, and citrus that take the limelight here, making the spirit quite different from its London Dry cousins. The delicious spirit has won numerous awards over the years, including a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World spirits Competition.

Aria Portland Dry Gin is distilled by hand in the heart of Northwest Portland, Oregon. Aria is a classic English inspired gin made using traditional British ingredients and distillation techniques and is true to the London Dry style.

Aria was created by a seventeen-year professional bartender, for bartenders, with cocktails in mind. Aria is a versatile gin which works well in any classic gin cocktail, especially a Martini, or it can be the basis for experimentation and creativity. It is also approachable enough to be enjoyed neat or straight over ice.

The recipe for Aria was developed over the course of four years and hundreds of test distillations. Aria is handmade and batch distilled with ten classic gin botanicals that were carefully chosen to create a flavor profile that has depth and complexity, but above all a perfect sense of balance.

TASTING NOTES

Aria is full bodied and boldly aromatic. Juniper is up front—obvious on the first nosing and initially on the palate. Underneath the juniper, layers of bright citrus, earthy undertones, floral highlights and subtle spicy notes reveal themselves, both on the nose and palate, though none are overpowering. All of the layers of flavor are balanced. The pristine Bull Run water use to cut Aria after distillation provides a rich, creamy mouthfeel. The finish is long and soft.

Made with a unique variety of woodland spices. Juniper and wildflowers envelop the nose, while the taste is dry, yet vibrant - clean and nuanced by emerald grasses, golden citrus, and white pepper with a round, floral body. Crisp enough to enjoy straight and of course excellent in cocktails both classic and contemporary.

Bottle Size: 750ml

KI NO BI SEI is made according to the same intricate production method as the original KI NO BI, using 11 botanicals distilled in six distinct flavour categories, known as the 6 Elements. The final blend has been recalibrated by our distilling team to bring out the best of each botanical at the higher strength. This bottling is at the traditional Royal Navy strength of 54.5% abv, often confused with 100 proof, or 57.1% abv.

In contrast with the original KI NO BI, which has a delicate and gentle profile, KI NO BI SEI has a thicker mouthfeel and full-bodied flavour, which works well in cocktails.

Tasting Notes

The higher proof allows the distinctive taste of KI NO BI’s flavour profile to prevail. It’s punchy at first on the palate, while retaining the cleanness and harmony of the original KI NO BI. All of the flavours are enhanced while remaining well-balanced. A perfect gin for cocktails.

Treaty Oak Distillery is named after the famous 500-year old tree in Austin, under which Stephen F. Austin signed agreements defining the borders of Texas.Their ginsare called Waterloo, after the original name of Austin. They moved to Dripping Springs, a place with a rich history of gatherings and shared perspectives. Waterloo No.9 Gin is a Texas contemporary style gin infused with expressive, beautifully balanced local botanicals. Being bottled at 94 proof maximizes the botanicals that are vapor infused during the distillation process. While paying homage to traditional dry gins with ingredients like juniper, coriander and anise, Waterloo No.9 builds in Hill Country flavor with pecans, lavender and grapefruit zest all harvested in Texas. The result is a blend of science and art, a confluence of gin culture and terroirthe crisp, clear representation of Treaty Oak's constant purposeful experimentation and pursuit of the curious.

In a world filled with a myriad of mediocre, mundane and wholly unremarkable things, Hendrick's exists as a shining beacon of unusualness. As many have been known to say, no other gin tastes like HENDRICKS because no other gin is made like HENDRICKS. Our unusual distillation process combined with our oddly delicious set of infusions of rose petal and cucumber yield a one-of-a-kind gin that is passionately loved by a tiny, yet growing, handful of individuals all over the world. Hand made in tiny batches, our tender approach is what makes Hendrick's so divine. As many a gin drinker has been known to say, no other gin taste likes Hendrick's because no other gin is made like Hendrick's. HENDRICKS is clean and dry, yet the marvelous complexity of the botanicals comes through in the taste. Take note of the citrus and juniper with a subtle, lingering finish of cool and refreshing cucumber and rose.

This gin rested in new American oak barrels with a medium long toast  (Burgundy Style). Toasting allows the oak to impart a rich medley of aromas while adding intense complexity to our spirit.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Citrus, cinnamon and cardamon on the nose, with a hint of spicy, peppery notes.

Palate: A rich, complex taste of juniper, citrus, oak and vanilla, with pomelo and floral notes.

Finish: Pomelo and toasted caramel continue on the finish, with a pinch of cinnamon and sweet spice.

AWARDS

ASCOT AWARDS 2021, USA, Platinum, Best in Category

SIP AWARDS 2021, USA, Double Gold

World Gin Awards 2019, London, UK, Gold

Crafted with California botanicals including dragon fruit, prickly pear and pepper tree the award-winning Two Shores Gin had its inspiration in Scotland decades ago when a young girl watched her dad make gin in his greenhouse. The recipe was crafted with the help of a London distiller then small batch distilled in L.A., giving it a distinctively premium and smooth quality, perfect for sipping and cocktails.

Two Shores was recently given 93 points by Meridith May of The Tasting Panel magazine and the Somm Journal

Named for its "London Tradition and California Spirit," this satin-textured beauty had us wowed for its approachability. Made with California botanicals, including pepper tree, dragon fruit, and prickly pear, we found its aromas of vanilla, lavender, and fresh linen charming. A cloud of marshmallow and a zing of pepper mark the finish.  

Forget about unicorns. This Pink Gin gets its flavor from real strawberries and rhubarb.

Kyrö Pink Gin is a traditionally made small-batch gin. It’s infused with foraged lingonberries, strawberries & rhubarb – the best of Finnish forests and gardens. A pink gin made to be equally enjoyed by everyone. Pink Gin gets the pink color from natural ingredients like strawberry and rhubarb, and with time the color might fade. This does not affect the taste or quality of Kyrö Pink Gin. Drink Pink with Fever-Tree tonic or soda water, a slice of pink grapefruit, and plenty of ice.

Taste: Sweetish | Soft | Smooth | Berry notes | Juniper berry

DESCRIPTION

With a 50% ABV, this is the ‘export strength’ expression of our multi-award-winning, strikingly smooth London Dry gin. A giant of a gin!

Exquisitely Engineered for a more complex flavour profile, we’ve added extra juniper and introduced six new botanicals – green cardamom, nutmeg, cumin, cassia bark, cubeb pepper and lemon – for a bolder, richer flavour; an earthy sweetness combines with citrus freshness for a dry spicy finish.

TASTING NOTES

Our Brunel is aromatic, full bodied, complex, undoubtedly spicy yet splendidly smooth. Warming notes of cardamom and cumin are complemented by juniper, sweet citrus and a dry and fragrant finish.

With Tonic:
Serve with plenty of ice, premium tonic and an orange wheel. Can also be served with ice, premium ginger ale and lemongrass.

AWARDS

2018 International Wine & Spirits Competition – Silver

2018 Taste of the West – Silver

2017 Gin Masters – Silver

Situated in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Ransom Distillery sits on a 40-acre farm just outside Sheridan, Oregon. The distillery, which opened its doors in 1997, was named after the funds required to start the business. "I had always wanted to start my own business," says Tad Seestedt, owner and master distiller at Ransom Spirits, "and I thought that Ransom was an appropriate name in that its definition is buying your freedom or independence with money. The money I had to borrow from the bank to start the business was my Ransom." Ransom Spirits' Old Tom Gin is a revival of the gins fashioned during the mid-19th century — the golden age of American cocktails. The recipe, which Seestedt developed in collaboration with famed historian and mixologist David Wondrich ("a living iPod of drink lore and recipes," according to The New York Times), actually begins with the distillation of whiskey. After mashing and fermenting malted barley, Seestedt distills the wash through his custom-designed 150-gallon copper pot still. Next, he infuses a separate grain-based distillate with a secret recipe of herbs and botanicals, including juniper, orange peel, lemon peel, coriander seed, angelica root and cardamom. The malted barley and grain-based distillates are then married together in the chamber of Seestedt's still and then distilled together. After distillation, Old Tom Gin is aged for 3-6 months before being brought to proof and bottled by hand. Old Tom Gin has initial notes of orange and lemon, which are wonderfully balanced by herbal undertones. The subtle, rounded flavors of the juniper, grains and hint of oak provided by the aging process add complexity and intrigue, and are followed by a malty, slightly sweet finish. Old Tom Gin earned the Gold Medal at the International Review of Spirits Competition and earned a score of 93 points from the Beverage Testing Institute. In addition, it earned a Gold Medal and the title "Best of Category" at the American Distilling Institute Competition in 2013.

Inspired by the warm and lively feel of summertime, Todd Leopold conceived this citrus-forward and bright gin to be enjoyed throughout the season.

This gin draws on the warm climates from which its exceptional ingredients are harvested by hand: Spanish Blood Oranges for a rich sweetness, French Immortal Flowers and Juniper Berries for a cool and clean flavor, and Australian Lemon Myrtle for a fresh, citrus finish. Each ingredient is distilled individually to honor its distinctive flavors.

Released in small quantities during the summer, Leopold's Summer Gin complements its seasonal namesake in spirited form.

"Plymouth Sloe Gin is a quintessentially English drink the origins of which have been lost in time. Although sloe berries grow all over Europe and many countries have their own version, it is the English style that is the most familiar. Come October, blackthorn bushes start to produce their fruit. The sloes are handpicked. This can be tricky since the blackthorn has very sharp thorns! Tradition has it that the sloes should be pricked prior to steeping (soaking), not with a fork but a silver pin! However, the established method is to use a thorn from the blackthorn bush. Another, far more practical method is to freeze the berries prior to steeping. They are then steeped in Plymouth Gin until the flavor has reached the desired intensity. Plymouth Sloe Gin is 26% ABV."

Bottle Size: 750ml

A captivating and distinctive gin that showcases the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the Irish distilling tradition. Created in the rural town of Drumshanbo in County Leitrim, Ireland, this gin pays homage to the rich history and botanical treasures of its surroundings.

At the heart of this gin lies a unique selection of botanicals, carefully chosen to create a flavor profile that is both intriguing and harmonious. The name "Gunpowder" is derived from one of its key botanicals, Chinese Gunpowder green tea, which infuses the spirit with its distinct and aromatic character. This exotic ingredient adds a layer of complexity and depth to the gin, setting it apart from traditional gin offerings.

The creation of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin begins with the slow and meticulous distillation of the botanicals in medieval copper pot stills. This traditional method allows for the precise extraction of flavors, ensuring the utmost quality and integrity of the gin. The botanicals, including juniper berries, angelica root, orris root, caraway seeds, and many others, are carefully balanced to achieve a harmonious blend of flavors.

Upon tasting, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin delights the senses with a distinctive freshness and vibrancy. The prominent notes of citrus, spice, and juniper are beautifully complemented by the herbal and floral undertones, resulting in a well-rounded and balanced gin.

The addition of Gunpowder green tea provides a pleasant and unique twist, contributing a subtle smokiness and a lingering finish that lingers on the palate. This unexpected combination of flavors creates a truly memorable drinking experience, making Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin stand out among its gin counterparts.