Wow, what a month! I knew #GinADayMay would keep me busy but I didn’t expect it to be quite that bonkers. And then there were the gin releases, gin events and gin deliveries… Read on if you, like me, need a bit of a reminder of what happened this May.

Booze News

Well, obviously #GinADayMay was the big news of the month! Or maybe it wasn’t. But it was a much greater success that I dare dreamed, so thank you to everyone who participated and I just really hope you all enjoyed it as much as me. I’m still trying to figure out quite how to go about recapping the month and sharing some of my favourite posts but, in the meantime, here are my pics.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The one other trend that has been hard to miss this month has been the continuing rise of the ready-to-drink. Hot on the heels of Sipsmith, Fever-Tree has announced the launch of their pre-mixed G&Ts using their Indian, Elderflower and Refreshingly Light tonics, and, more fascinatingly, their own London Dry-style gin too. Another big hitter has also joined the ready-made race with Tanqueray releasing their London Dry Gin & Tonic and also Sevilla Gin & Tonic! I do wonder if these bottles will be quite as tempting to the masses as the more common cans though…

New Gin Alerts

It’s been a busy month for new releases too. Kopparberg have raised a few eyebrows with their Strawberry & Lime Gin while Edinburgh Gin have introduced a new full-strength version of their Rhubarb & Ginger liqueur to their range. Elsewhere 6 O’Clock Gin have a new Bouquet Garni version of their Jekka’s Edition; York Gin have announced an Old Tom Gin to be released soon and Tapper’s have collaborated with West Kirby Tap to produce their own Hopped Gin. Finally, having been tipped off about Explorer’s Gin by a friend who is usually more into her wine, I’m delighted to hear that Downton Distillery are the winner of the Junipalooza bursary this year!

My Month in Gin

I don’t know how I’ve managed to fit in much alongside #GinADayMay but (as well as a sneaky weekend away in Malaga) I’ve also had the pleasure of attending some awesome gin events. Thanks to One Gin who kindly invited me to the Evening Standard Speakeasy Secret Gin Garden at Little Venice’s Clifton Nurseries. The stunning venue played host to One Gin, Theodore Pictish, Fisher’s and Marylebone Gin who plied us with fantastic flora-inspired cocktails while Master of Malt hosted wonderful masterclasses and tastings.

As you’ve probably heard me say before, my personal gin journey began when I won two tickets to Gin Journey’s London Gin Experience in 2014 so I was delighted to join them again on their inaugural Gin Journey Brighton. The Brighton tour kicks off properly on World Gin Day, but I got a little taster of what they have lined up with 6 gins served in amazing cocktails in 5 of Brighton’s best bars alongside brilliant banter from Cocktail Kate! I had an absolute blast!

It was with Gin Journey and Cocktail Kate back in 2014 that I also first visited the Sipsmith Distillery, so I was delighted to return again this month. A space which once felt vast now feels crowded with more stills and more staff and a new look bar. The public’s insatiable demand for Sipsmith’s stunning gin also sees the distillery now operating 24/7 with staff working in two shifts, sometimes until 1am, and when the stills are not distilling they are still macerating. The tour (which is open to the public) is full of wonderful insight and anecdotes as well as lots of lovely samples to taste; if you haven’t visited yet do get along there!

Welcome to My Collection

Well, what can I say except that I’ve been a very lucky girl this month! Endless thanks to Hayman’s for the very generous care packages, including a pair of their new True English Gin & Tonic Glasses, a little bottle of London Dry Gin, a big bottle of Hopped Gin and their latest relaunch; True English Gin Liqueur. Described as “a juniper-forward gin with the sweetness of a liqueur” this comes in at a bold 40% and tastes amazing neat. I have no doubt it’s going to work wonderfully in cocktails too, perhaps even negating the need for sugar syrup. It might sound odd but, trust me, it works!

Thanks also to That Boutique-y Gin Company for the incredible invitation to their Pineapple Gin Parlour which included a bottle of their Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin alongside a fabulous gin pin and some other goodies. As well as marking the release of a limited selection of their gins in new 70cl bottles (at no extra cost to the consumer) the Pineapple Gin Parlour will also celebrate International Pineapple Day with a multi-sensory experience including pineapple cocktails, unlimited cheese and pineapple and even scratch-and-sniff wallpaper!

And that’s not all! I’ve also received The Gael, Manly Australian Dry Gin and Lixir Tonics, Bimber Da Hong Pao, Papillon Gin, Perfect Tonic and a couple of beautifully presented Sipsmith ready-to-sip G&T’s in a tin! Oh, and it would be remiss of me not to mention Gin Monkey’s latest projects – Gin Rummy and The Little Book of Gin – ready just in time to celebrate World Gin Day!

The Gael

Bimber Da Hong Pao Roasted Oolong Tea Gin

Papillon Gin

Catching Up and Looking Forward

I’ve finally reviewed Turncoat’s amazing Bold St. Chai Gin made in collaboration with Liverpool tea merchant, restaurant and bar, LEAF on Bold Street, so if you haven’t read that yet, why not take a look here. With World Gin Day, Junipalooza and Think Gin to look forward to, June promises to be just as busy as May but hopefully I’ll find time to review St. George Terroir Gin and maybe something else too!

See you next time! 🍸🛎🛎