My goodness, May was mental! So mental in fact that this gin monthly is over a week late! But better late than never as they say, so read on to find out all about my month beyond #GinADayMay!

Booze News

A few stories have caught my eye recently but by far the most exciting is that The Oxford Artisan Distillery‘s original founder, Tom Nicholson, has announced that he has successfully (re-)acquired the company’s trademarks, intellectual property and key assets, including their original stills Nautilus and Nemo. Having ceased operations in 2024, the distillery is now expected to reopen on the same Oxford site as before, and with as many of the original team members as possible, in 2027. I’m planning my return trip already!

New Gin Alerts

A few new products caught my eye in May. Manchester Gin is celebrating their 10th Anniversary with a limited edition gin made on the original 60-litre copper still and using the same recipe that started their story but packaged in a black bottle with a bespoke metallic-effect label. If fruit is more your thing Tarquin’s have a new summer limited edition Chilli Mango Gin and The Amsterdam Craft Gin Company is also launching 1689 Dutch Orange Gin in the UK. Meanwhile Bruichladdich Distillery has teamed up with Whitebox Cocktails to create a range of RTDs including a White Negroni and a Dry Martini made with The Botanist Gin.

My Month in Gin

What a month! As if #GinADayMay wasn’t enough, I also undertook tons of judging – including one day of spirits at Great Taste, two days of RTDs and mixers at the Global Spirits Masters, and four days judging everything from no, low and mid-strength drinks to RTDs and contemporary gin at IWSC – and attended some really wonderful events as well!

The first such event was the (re-)opening of London’s Square Mile Distillery. Square Mile sits in the site previously occupied by the City of London Distillery, which became the first distillery in the City of London for almost 200 years when it opened in 2012. In 2021 it became home to Whitley Neill Gin but, following their departure, City of London Distillery’s founder – Jonathan Clark – is back at the helm. In addition to Square Mile’s new range of four gins – which include a a London Dry, Old Tom, Navy Strength and Martini Gin – the site is also home to the stunning distillery, inviting bar and make-your-own gin workshop. It’s a great little spot and well worth visiting if you’re in the area.

I also had the huge pleasure of being a tourist in my home town when I joined No. 3 Gin‘s Afternoon-Tini experience! Following a welcome drink at Berry Bros. & Rudd, we hopped on board the magnificent Martini Bus to take in all of London’s sights, from The National Gallery to the London Eye and The Houses of Parliament to Banksy’s newest sculpture. Along the way our brilliant Conductor (brand ambassador Alicia Stark) taught us all about the history of the martini as we were served not one, not two, but three tea-inspired mini-Martinis, paired with a quintessentially British afternoon tea. While I really enjoyed both the camomile and matcha martinis and accompanying sandwiches and scones, it was the Earl Grey Martini and mini choux bun filled with lemon verbena and honey ganache that really stole my heart. And after all that we even got to enjoy a final full-sized martini at Mayfair’s Bar Antoine too!

I also enjoyed getting out of London for a day to see behind the scenes of Rutland’s Mallard Point. Mallard Point is unusual in that it is both a vineyard – producing an impressive range of English wine – and a distillery, with a selection of spirits which are either inspired by, or use waste products from, the winemaking process. It was absolutely wonderful to wander among the vines and learn all about winemaking, but of course I also loved seeing the inner workings of the distillery and tasting the entire range including their impressive Pinot Noir Gin which was awarded an amazing 96 points at IWSC!

Finally, after all that, I was back at Bar Antoine for the launch of their new Savoir Boire menu which is inspired by the ingredients, rituals and indulgences of the French eating and drinking culture. Following a wonderful Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016 reception we were treated to amazing Cornichon Martinis, Croissant Old Fashioneds and Dijon & Peach Margaritas as well as amazing bar snacks, a live Wagyu bavette station and even pétanque on their outdoor terrace! Everything was absolute perfection so I definitely recommend you pop in if you can.

Welcome to My Collection

I was lucky enough to receive lots of lovely goodies last month including a mini Dancing Dragontail Gin from Dorking Distillery, a mini Croissant Old Fashioned (and delicious French almond croissant!) from the launch of Bar Antoine‘s new menu, and a mini bottle of rum from Reverence Spirits. Thanks also to Mallard Point for a selection of their spirits and a bottle of their English Rosé, to Whitley Neil for their new canned cocktails, and to El Rayo for a bottle of their Plata Tequila as well as this awesome print produced in collaboration with Margate-based artist Alice Isaac.

Catching Up and Looking Forward

If you haven’t already, please do check out my latest column for Drinksbiz all about drinks awareness days. And, with that in mind, don’t forget World Gin Day is fast approaching. As is World Martini Day. And World Gin Week. And I’m pretty sure someone has even declared it Martini Month too! Whatever you choose to celebrate, why not check out The East London Martini Map? Boatyard Distillery and Cocchi Vermouth have joined forces to launch the map which features 6 venues offering £7 martinis between 12th and 20th June 2026. It looks great, so keep an eye out for me if you’re there!🍸🛎🛎