June Gin Monthly

There’s been a nice balance of work and play this month – and some interesting new releases too – so what are you waiting for? Keep on reading!

Booze News

Another month means more sad news, and this time it’s the discovery that the Wirral’s Tappers Gin appears to be in liquidation. The brand, which last posted on social media on 1st April 2024, hasn’t announced anything publicly so I will simply wish them all the best for the future.

Elsewhere The Oxford Artisan Distillery’s founder Tom Nicolson is campaigning to save the original site after its parent company announced the closure of the Oxford distillery and move to a new, larger facility in Goole, Yorkshire as part of their rebrand to Fielden. With Fielden focusing on producing rye whisky it is also unclear what will happen to TOAD’s vodka and gin range.

New Gin Alerts

In addition to Ramsbury’s Lemon Balm Gin, two other new releases caught my eye this month. The first is Palmaráe Gin Premier Cru made by France’s Audemus Spirits and featuring authentic North African flavours including fresh Moroccan mint, mature Medjool dates, and Fleur de Sel de Marrakech. A recent recipient of a Master medal at The Gin Masters 2024 it promises to be something rather special.

Sounding equally delicious is Campfire’s limited edition Cask Aged Cacao Gin which is aged in American oak ex-bourbon barrels before being blended with a separate distillation of organic Peruvian cacao nibs. With just 132 bottles available, if you want it you better move fast.

My Month in Gin

There’s been a good balance of work and play this month, and to kick things off I spent one day judging everything from premium and ultra-premium gin to London Dry, Contemporary, Navy Strength and Flavoured at The Gin Masters 2024 which was held at the stunning Home House. I also spent two days rounding off the Great Taste Awards season by judging pretty much every spirit you can imagine (and even the odd honey) at The Guild of Fine Food! The Gin Masters 2024 (first tasting) results are available now and the Great Taste Awards will be announced on 30th July.

In terms of play, I was very grateful to be treated to a wonderful evening at The Ivy Soho Brasserie where my husband and I enjoyed the Ivy’s Love at First Spritz menu created in partnership with Malfy Gin, alongside a sensational meal of scallops and steak! I also had an equally lovely evening at East London’s Equal Parts bar sampling their new menu, my favourites from which were the Daisy Amarillo – a take on a Margarita featuring Dahlia tequila, Yuzeshu and sake – and the fabulous Frangicone featuring white chocolate mezcal, Frangelico, sweet port and umeshu.

And, just as summer finally arrived in the city, I got to enjoy an evening cruise down the Regent’s Canal with MOTH drinks! Departing from Granary Square in Kings Cross we boated through the Islington tunnel – which at 878m is the longest of its kind in London – to Angel and back, enjoying cold cocktails, canapés and Longboys Doughnuts on the way. The Paloma is my current favourite of their range but really you can’t go wrong with any of them; just remember, the MOTH the merrier!

Welcome to My Collection

There’s been no shortage of goodies this month! I’ve been delighted to receive Mermaid Gin (which I opened to celebrate World Martini Day), Lunun Gin from Chef Dean Banks and the brand new Kingsbarns Coaltown Whisky which is matured exclusively in ex-peated casks. Thank you also to Turntable Whisky and Manatii Rum for samples of their spirits, to Double Dutch for a selection of their mixers, and to Mixologist’s Garden for their full range of freeze dried fruit, as well as Bristol Syrups and samples of Hampton Court Gin!