January was long, wasn’t it? Even if you weren’t doing Dry January (which I most certainly was not!). But the good news is we survived! It was also a pretty quiet month for me but there’s still plenty of booze news to catch up on, and a couple of new releases worth checking out, so do, please, give my first post of the new year a read.

Booze News

Another month brings yet more upheaval in the industry. Firstly, and rather sadly, Ben and Kate Marston of Campfire Gin have announced that they have sold Puddingstone Distillery. Naturally I wish them well for whatever the future holds and send the new owners lots of luck too.

In other news, it has been reported that Spirit of Harrogate, home to Slingsby Gin, has entered administration citing “rising costs and difficult trading conditions”. Meanwhile the behemoth that is BrewDog has announced they are closing down their distillery and ceasing spirits production after 10 years in operation. While their Wonderland canned cocktails will continue to be produced by a third party, it’s time to bid farewell to Lonewolf Gin, Abstrakt Vodka, Casa Rayos Tequila and all the others. It won’t make any odds to me as I’ve been boycotting BrewDog for years, but I do feel very sorry for all the staff who will, presumably, lose their jobs.

New Gin Alerts

I thought I’d spotted a few new gins in January but it seems it’s just the one; a Japanese Nashi Pear Gin from Ukiyo Spirits which features notes of nashi pear, yuzu and shiso leaf with undertones of white pepper and green tea, and will launch exclusively in Marks and Spencer stores across the UK.

I was also intrigued to spot Citadelle 0.0; a non-alcoholic ‘spirit’ made using 19 botanicals and a gentle hydrodistillation process inspired by perfumery techniques. Described as fresh and spicy with vibrant notes of citrus, Citadelle 0.0 debuted in France and Italy but broader distribution is expected to follow.

My Month in Gin

Just one event this month but it was a real treat as I joined No. 3 Gin and Alice Lascelles at a celebration of the Dry Martini, and hospitality, at East London’s excellent Equal Parts bar. In addition to a selection of scrumptious martinis from Alice’s excellent book (the Dukes, the Seasoned and the Alpine Vesper), we were also treated to a great panel discussion and Q&A and even some much needed Yard Sale pizza!

And because January is far too long I also had to indulge in a few more beverages at the new Martini Bar at Hawksmoor St Pancras. The interior is as stunning as it ever was (and if you’ve never visited you really must for that alone) and the martinis were delicious, but if I’m totally honest it didn’t quite live up to the all the hype for me. In fact my highlight wasn’t a drink at all but a dish, and it wasn’t the scotch olive and dill pickle gilda (that olive thing did not work for me) or the beef-dripping hash browns either. It was a mouthwateringly magnificent maple custard tart. That tart I will definitely return for!

And after all those martinis (which happened to be back-to-back!) I think it’s only fair to give a shout out to PrePear! I was sent samples of the hangover prevention product back in September and, although I had tried it, I felt I hadn’t really put it to the test. But now I have and I have to say I really think it works! Containing 100% Shingo Korean pear juice (which tastes kind of malty and slightly fermented), PrePear recommend consuming one sachet 20mins before drinking alcohol to ward off its effects the morning after the night before. Having remembered to take it two nights in a row, and then forgotten the third night, I really do think it makes a big difference!

Welcome to My Collection

In a tribute to dry January (maybe!), and for the first time since I started writing my gin monthly in March 2019, I have nothing to add to my collection this month so let’s keep on crashing on… there is literally nothing to see here!

Catching Up and Looking Forward

If you’ve not already had a read, why not catch up with the third of my three guest blogs for Ambassador Cruise Line all about Spain’s Balearic Islands and gin? As for February it looks a little busier than January, with a couple of fun events lined up and a few days of judging for Great Taste too. See you on the other side! 🍸🛎🛎