After posting my Tribute to the Queen Gin blend, I realised that I hadn't yet shared my favourite 'go-to' Citrus Spice Gin blend that is a variation on a traditional London Dry Gin blend. There are so many different variations of a London Dry Gin that my first step was to find out exactly what a London Dry Gin was. London dry gin doesn't have to come from London, it's a style rather than a place with a legal definition. It has to be made by distilling natural botanicals using neutral alcohol … [Read more...]

On our Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day I decided to blend a gin as my tribute to the Queen. It is rumoured that the Queen's favourite gin was Gordon's London Dry Gin so I made my own variation of that in her honour: sweet English rose with a touch of warm spiciness. I have become quite a convert to distilling my own gin at home following a gin-making workshop I attended and of course getting my own still. I have made it completely from scratch but you can start with any neutral spirit such as … [Read more...]

I bought a beautiful handcrafted copper alembic still last year with the idea of being able to make hydrosols like rose water and lavender water and of course to be able to make my own gin. The still I bought was the smallest possible at 3 litres in size. Whilst you can distill spirits and essential oils using this still, the quantities you get (approx 300ml and 3ml respectively) mean that it is really not worth your while. It is more intended as a small batch flavouring still which is perfect … [Read more...]