As I find myself stumbling blindly into a new year (and a new decade no less) with no idea what day it even is, attempting to recall what happened last month is proving to be something of a mission impossible, but here’s my best shot… Feel free to fill in any blanks in the comments below!

Booze News

Well done to Australia’s Four Pillars who won IWSC 2019 International Gin Producer of the Year! And massive congratulations to Greensand Ridge who won both of the drink industry’s sustainability awards; The Spirits Business Awards 2019 Distillery Sustainability Award and The Drinks Business Amorim Sustainability Award for Spirits. Greensand have also announced they have received European low carbon grant funding to start work on a world-first sustainability project, so they are undoubtedly one to watch in 2020.

New Gin Alerts

Among December’s new gin alerts were Boatyard Winter Solstice Gin, Stirling Winter Gin, and Enraptured Gin; an intriguing collaboration between Redsmith Distillery and Neon Raptor Brewing Co. featuring citra hops. And the one that caught my eye was Barentsz Mandarin & Jasmine Gin; a citrussy gin created from rye and wheat with delicate floral notes that I’m really looking forward to playing with more.

My Month in Gin

I’ve had lots of fun crafting Christmas cocktails this month and also celebrating Ginvent. I didn’t get my mitts on Gin Foundry’s proper Ginvent calendar but I love the live Twitter tastings so much I couldn’t resist taking part when I had the right gin in my collection and, naturally, there wasn’t a bad one in there! I loved every tasting but a definite highlight had to be Oliver Ward’s suggestion of throwing some Hart & Dart Gin in my glass of fizz to create an Aged Champagne Cocktail!

Welcome to My Collection

What a haul this month! In addition to a gorgeous giftbox from One Gin and a mini and matching glass from Thunderflower Gin, I’ve also received Pothecary Cinnamon Twist, Barentsz Mandarin & Jasmine Gin, Fisher’s and a bottle of one of my favourite gins of all time; Batch Industrial Strength!

The lovely folk at 58 Gin also kindly gave me the opportunity to make my own gin and it couldn’t be simpler; just visit their website, pick your favoured botanicals – from a selection of citrus, spice, floral and herbal – choose between clear and pink, and name your gin before sitting back and allowing them to do all the hard work! I choose a clear gin featuring orange, grapefruit, cinnamon and grains of paradise and I’m delighted with the result.

And, finally, did you hear that Gin Foundry have sold their tasting library? I know right! But when I heard they had bottles in need of a new home obviously I had to offer my services! And I was delighted to receive an incredible parcel of Molotov Gin, Salcombe Finisterre, Vor Icelandic & Barrel Aged Gins, Manchester Raspberry Infused Gin and Tappers Darkside.

Catching Up and Looking Forward

If you’re still in the mood for a winter warmer or a seasonal sip, check out my latest cocktail recipes and, below, catch up with my top nine Instagram posts for 2019. My Top Ten Gins of 2019 article is (hopefully) coming soon and beyond that I’m not sure what January holds. I’m still considering doing Dry January but the World Gin Awards Finals might just get in the way of that! Whether you’re going sober or celebrating Ginuary, here’s wishing you all a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2020! 🍸🛎🛎