Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fordington Gin</h2>



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<p>Inspired by the flavours and botanicals of iconic French absinthe, Ros Nelmes &#8216;the G&amp;T Queen&#8217; makes her <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Fordington Gin (opens in a new tab)" href="https://fordingtongin.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fordington Gin</a>, down in Dorchester, Dorset.  The gin&#8217;s won Silver in the World Gin Awards. </p>



<p><strong>Flavour:</strong> Inspired by the flavours and botanicals of iconic French absinthe, expect delicate hints of aniseed and lemon balm, the London Dry Gin also comes in a lovely summer rose flavour. </p>



<p><strong>Enjoy it with:</strong> A slosh of Fever Tree tonic and a wedge of lemon, lime or cucumber – or with strawberries and black pepper or a grapefruit wedge and basil.</p>



<p>Buy <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="online (opens in a new tab)" href="https://fordingtongin.co.uk/shop/" target="_blank">online</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Northmoor Gin</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="655" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/northmoor-gin-cropped.png" alt="" class="wp-image-42304" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/northmoor-gin-cropped.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/northmoor-gin-cropped-300x197.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/northmoor-gin-cropped-720x472.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/northmoor-gin-cropped-150x98.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/northmoor-gin-cropped-768x503.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/northmoor-gin-cropped-802x525.png 802w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Northmoor Classic (44%) and Navy Strength Gin (57%) won Gold Medals in the San Francisco World Spirit Competition 2020, one of only 24 gins from around the world to achieve double gold, and one of seven in the UK – and it&#8217;s distilled at the <a href="https://www.exmoordistillery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Exmoor Distillery (opens in a new tab)">Exmoor Distillery</a> in Dulverton, Somerset. PS. Owners John and Nicola Smith met in a cocktail bar – most appropriate. </p>



<p><strong>Flavour</strong>: &#8216;light on the lips..,full-bodied with a punchy  three-dimensional taste, leaving a deliciously smooth flavour&#8217; </p>



<p><strong>Enjoy it with: </strong> chill and savour a sip neat, before adding tonic, lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit&#8230;.</p>



<p>Buy <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="online. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.exmoordistillery.co.uk/shop/" target="_blank">online.</a> and from these <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="stockists. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.exmoordistillery.co.uk/exmoor-distillery-outlets/" target="_blank">stockists.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Beau Gin</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="999" height="986" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/12/Beau-Gin-e1576085506733.jpg" alt="love local beau gin" class="wp-image-38446" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/12/Beau-Gin-e1576085506733.jpg 999w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/12/Beau-Gin-e1576085506733-150x148.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/12/Beau-Gin-e1576085506733-300x296.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/12/Beau-Gin-e1576085506733-768x758.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2019/12/Beau-Gin-e1576085506733-507x500.jpg 507w" sizes="(max-width: 999px) 100vw, 999px" /></figure>



<p>The owners of foodie pub <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Candlelight Inn, (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.candlelight-inn.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Candlelight Inn,</a> in Bishopswood in the Blackdown Hills, Somerset are obsessed with gin (they stock over 50). So much so, they&#8217;ve to create their own artisan gin, using locally foraged botanicals, and named after their Irish Setter Beau.</p>



<p><strong>Flavour</strong>: luscious in body and well balanced – with just a hint of complexity – just like their dog.</p>



<p><strong>Enjoy it with:</strong> your favourite mixer, ice and a slice.</p>



<p>Buy <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.candlelight-inn.co.uk/store/Beau-Gin-p147815737" target="_blank">online</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Viper Gin</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/viper-gin-web-1200x675-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-42293" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/viper-gin-web-1200x675-1.jpg 1200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/viper-gin-web-1200x675-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/viper-gin-web-1200x675-1-720x405.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/viper-gin-web-1200x675-1-150x84.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/viper-gin-web-1200x675-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/viper-gin-web-1200x675-1-900x506.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></figure>



<p>Named after the viper they came across when they were clearing the plot to grow botanicals,  <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Viper Gin  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://viperspirit.co.uk/" target="_blank">Viper Gin</a> is distilled in a copper still in small batches in Cerne Abbas in Dorset.</p>



<p><strong>Flavour:</strong> the London Dry Gin is &#8216;delicate to the palette with subtle and complex profiles&#8217;. </p>



<p><strong>Enjoy it with:</strong> fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup and creme de mure to create a classic Bramble cocktail. </p>



<p>Buy <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="online (opens in a new tab)" href="https://viperspirit.co.uk/shop/" target="_blank">online</a> or at one of these <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="stockists. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://viperspirit.co.uk/stockists/" target="_blank">stockists.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Psychopomp Microdistillery</h2>


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<p>This <a href="http://www.microdistillery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brilliantly named Bristol gin distillery</a> produces around 30 different craft gins a year. As well as their all-year round &#8216;Woden&#8217; gin, they produce limited runs of 750 bottles as the seasons change, as well as bespoke gins, Parisien-style absinthe, Danish aqvavit and a coffee digestif.</p>



<p><strong>Flavour:</strong> Their limited edition summer gin&nbsp; &#8216;Hathor&#8217; has a &#8216; big hit of pomegranate, bright floral notes of Scottish heather flower and a subtle spice note from fig leaves&#8217;.</p>



<p><strong>Enjoy it with:</strong>&nbsp; Fever Tree Aromatic tonic and a slice of lemon or with pomegranate juice and soda for a refreshing summer spritz.</p>



<p>Buy <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.microdistillery.co.uk/" target="_blank">online.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bath Gin</h2>


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<p>Ever been to the Canary Gin Bar in Bath&#8217;s Queen Street? Bet you didn&#8217;t know The Bath Distillery was beavering away distilling the stuff down in the cellars. And <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.thebathgincompany.co.uk/" target="_blank">Miss Austen&#8217;s favourite tipple</a> too, perchance?</p>



<p><strong>Flavour:</strong>&nbsp; &#8216;modern, smooth, refreshing with exotic citrus and warm spice notes&#8217;.</p>



<p><strong>Enjoy it with:</strong> kaffir Lime Leaf and premium tonic.</p>



<p>Buy <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.thebathgincompany.co.uk/shop" target="_blank">online</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">E18ghteen Gin</h2>


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<p>This North Petherton gin&#8217;s <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.18gin.co.uk/" target="_blank">made from Somerset apples.</a> Local sugar beet is used to make a vodka which is then re-distilled to create the gin, which has garnered Taste of the West&#8217;s Gold and Silver Awards 2019. The Passionfruit Gin Liqueur sounds interesting.</p>



<p><strong>Flavour:</strong> promises to be &#8216;a taste of the Somerset countryside&#8217;, with juniper, citrus zests, apple, anise and macadamia. </p>



<p><strong>Enjoy it with:</strong> a slice of apple, pear, pink grapefruit or nectarine.</p>



<p>Buy <a href="https://www.18gin.co.uk/shop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="online.  (opens in a new tab)">online. </a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bath Botanicals No 1 Gin</h2>


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<p>They use handpicked lime flowers from around Bath to create the fragrant lime flavour of their London dry gin, which you can see being distilled in their<a href="https://www.bathbotanics.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> distillery and herbal apothecary&nbsp;</a> in Widcombe, Bath. They make fruit gins too.</p>



<p><strong>Flavour</strong>: a &#8216;full-bodied botanical gin&#8217;.</p>



<p><strong>Enjoy it with:</strong> ice and a slice, of lime.</p>



<p>You can <a href="https://www.bathbotanics.co.uk/shop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">buy online.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Still Sisters</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="543" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/1.-still-sisters.png" alt="" class="wp-image-42313" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/1.-still-sisters.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/1.-still-sisters-300x163.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/1.-still-sisters-720x391.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/1.-still-sisters-150x81.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/1.-still-sisters-768x417.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/06/1.-still-sisters-900x489.png 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Two sisters in Frome in Somerset use recipes and trad methods passed down by family members over the last 20 years to create their range of gins and other spirits at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Friary Liqueurs (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.friarydrinks.co.uk/" target="_blank">Friary Drinks</a> and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Still Sisters (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.stillsisters.co.uk/" target="_blank">Still Sisters</a>. The botanicals in their signature London Dry Gin include locally grown organic watercress, which creates a light, peppery taste. New for 2020: Pink Pomegranate gin and Grapefruit Gin.</p>



<p><strong>Flavour:</strong>&nbsp; Try their gin blended with a rhubarb infusion and a ginger wine produced in a privately run vineyard, or raspberry and mint.</p>



<p><strong>Enjoy it with:</strong> ice, with choice of mixer or some prosecco.</p>



<p>Buy online <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="online.  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.friarydrinks.co.uk/collections/gin" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.stillsisters.co.uk/shop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="here.  (opens in a new tab)">here. </a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bristol Dry Gin</h2>


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<p>Every gin is <em>exhaustively</em> taste-tested (hic) by the Bristol Spirits Collective, a small group of bartenders and the like, who&#8217;ve dedicated themselves to producing <a href="https://www.bristoldrygin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a gin for the people:</a> good quality, full-flavoured, affordable.&nbsp; Three gins: Bristol Dry&nbsp; Gin (40%), Docker&#8217;s Strength (55%) and Turbo Island Edition (75%, gulp).</p>



<p><strong>Flavour:</strong> &#8216; fresh citrus notes, backed up with light spices. Elderflower, lime leaf and cassia bark.&#8217;</p>



<p><strong>Enjoy it with:</strong> regular tonic water and a wedge of lime.</p>



<p>Buy <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.bristoldrygin.com/" target="_blank">online.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">6 O&#8217;Clock Gin</h2>


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<p>Named after the owners&#8217; family tradition of <a href="https://bramleyandgage.com/6-oclock/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking gin at 6</a>, this gin evolved out of the fruit liqueurs that Edward Bramley Kain and Penelope Gage made in their Devon farmhouse kitchen over 30 years ago. Now based just outside Bristol, the latest addition to the range is Jekka&#8217;s Edition, in collaboration with &#8216;queen of the herbs&#8217; Jekka McVicar.</p>



<p><strong>Flavour:</strong> 6 o&#8217;clock gin is a smooth juniper with hints of coriander, orange peel and elderflower. Nice. &nbsp; </p>



<p><strong>Enjoy it with:</strong> lots of ice, a big slosh of fresh tonic and some twisted lemon peel. &nbsp; </p>



<p>Buy <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://bramleyandgage.com/shop/" target="_blank">online.</a></p>



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<p><strong>Love to know what you think about these gins – or if you can recommend any we&#8217;ve missed out.</strong></p>


Gin gin!

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