Ginignite

Episode 38 - The Ying and Yang of Sugar Syrup

Ben Hampson — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 38
Are you getting value from the podcast ?
Do I need to have more guests on ?
Would I be better embracing lives ?
This week live with Tristan from Massingberd Mundy

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Weekly Gin Recommendation is Leonards Lee Gardens Botanical Gin
Leonards Lee is very close to where I live and I was given this as Christmas by Jon and Elaine. Shout out to you two.
It is from a really exciting gin distillery very close to me called Cabin Pressure spirits and it really embodies the true kind of country garden flavour in a lovely floral gin
The nose of the gin has a sweet floral aroma
The flavour profile starts with a dryness followed by a rose flavour sweetened by the honey and elongate with the chamomile. At the end of the profile you get the lavender which is a really lovely bonus.
In tonic the flavour completely changes and the lavender really comes to the front of the profile.
I think this would be really interesting in a cocktail with a lavender based sugar syrup of The Starlino Rose Aperitivo. The are so many interesting flavours to play off.
I didn't think I would be saying this but this has definitely got to the top of my long buying list and one I would really recommend trying. They also do a 10cl bottle which is really good for testing purposes.

The Ying and Yang of Sugar Syrups

Alcohol often is not calorific but a few cocktails are not the best thing for you but we still like to have them
You know not great safest way to browse the internet have not internet
Interesting experiment as I have finished quite a few of the peripheral spirits like Strawberry and Raspberry liqueurs etc could I replace them with sugar syrup
Double whammy of sugar hit and high performance taste
The answer is a profound yes. Less alcohol. More taste
So I decided to buy Le Sirop de Monin. I have had their sugar syrup for ages. For the live tonight Tristan encourage me to buy one which started off this process
If you want to know about that one you will have to listen in tonight
Strawberry - already used in Daiquiri but would like to use in Martini. Rich taste
Blackberry - lots of serves recently by Nessymixedit which included this
Hibiscus - really gorgeous flavour. Bit Campriesequ dry so I have found adding additional Raspberries good idea
Raspberry - would be ideal with Marie Jeanne or Stockport’s Pink gin. Really lovely flavour or Rhamanta
Honey - lots of hot serves recently have had honey in. Really nice not too sweet and really runny. Does not work with pancakes as it is a bit insipid.
Pineapple - really looking forward to using this very soon. Not quite sure how.
So many other flavours like floral Rose, Lavender or Violet
Coconut or Passionfruit Mango or Vanilla
Cherry, Ginger, Lychee (Claire at The Edge Gin)
Go out there and try them. I sincerely don’t think that you will disappointed.

Instagram Community Shout Out

@theedgegin

Claire is one of the most lovely people I know and she is fantastic to talk to.
She came on the podcast in Episode 14 and was brilliant in describing her brand
The Edge is such a playful brand all around the Wizard at Alderley Edge. It really inspires so many people and is such an amazing thing to base your brand around
Their gins are wonderful from their London Dry with Goji berries which just make it a bit more unique than others
The L’Orange gin, surprisingly probably my favourite is a very versatile gin that is happy in cocktails or just in a G&T. What’s more unlike many other orange gins it is not sweet or in your face.
The Pear gin is also a very versatile gin with a unique taste happy in a G&T or in a cocktail
If you are lucky enough to live in Cheshire, one of the many capitals of gin in this country, look out for them at the many markets they attend.
If you have not already definitely go and have a look at this brand.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 37 - The sophistication of the Daiquiri

Ben Hampson — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 37
By far the biggest bit of news this week is still the news that Paul has left his job of 17 years.
I am still so over the moon for him. I am also suitably impressed at their new website. It is really slick and really improves the navigation. If you have a moment why not go on and have a look.
Sip and Share have grown past 200 members. So proud of you Kate.
I will be going live on YouTube this time not this Friday but next Friday 19th February at 20:00. I am going to be talking with Tristan from Massingberd-Mundy all about Marie Jeanne.
He is my instagram should this week.

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendatio

Dulwich gin

I have always been a big fan of dill. Even when I had to chop a lot of it to add to Gravalax when I worked in Munich.
Nose - vague smell of dill. Not the normal in your face
Flavour profile dry slight delay then a slight acidic tone follow by a smoothness full of dill, which almost dances on your tongue and then finally you get a bit of heat from the alcohol
I quite like it as a sipping gin. Could really see it working with a gravalax.
With tonic, usual Mediterranean get dryness and a much clearer dill taste.
Absolutely desperate to try this as a dirty martini. Also keen to finally try some bourbon as I think it might go very well with this. Such a fun flavour. Will keep you posted on other cocktails
It has a proud place on my gin shelf. Thank you to The Botanical Trading Company.

The sophistication of the Daiquiri

Daiquiri = Sophistication, Suarve & Panache
Ernest Hemingway allegedly had 15 in a night. I struggle to do 4 cocktails if I am lucky before I got to sleep !!

Where did it come from ?

Jennings Stockton Cox from the iron mines of Daiquiri in Cuba. Came up because ran out of gin ! That was very careless that would not happen to you or me.
John F Kennedy sipped Daiquiris after beating Nixon in 1960’s
Traditional recipe with rum I am always keen to find a good gin. This week I tried it with Rhamanta and it was really nice.
Basic recipe 2 parts alcohol, 1 part citrus and 1/2 part sugar
Sometime I use sugar syrup but I have just recently invested into the wide plethora of Monin syrups so I tend to use. I have got flavours from Strawberry to honey to hibiscus
This basic recipe kind of works really for any spirit but I think it work for gin really well. These days I am a bit of a lime fan so I would probably try and mix it to that but you could easily go down the orange or the lemon route and find a suitably well chosen gin.

Gins to try it with

Dulwich with a bit of a dill vibe
Love with Rhamanta
Very interested to try with Stockport Pink Edition or Twist of Lime Edition
Would love to try with Lind and Lime
Great with Pear or L’Orange gin from The Edge Gin
Thunderflower for that liquorice kind of flavour
LAW gin from Ibiza for lots of interest flavours
Like all cocktails the fun is adding things to them or making them better by adding further alcohol

Instagram Community Shout Out

@tristan.jorgensen_

My shoutout this week is to someone very special. He is the first real distiller that I met.
I did my first live with him and I am going to my first YouTube live with him too.
He is one of those people that amazes you and pushes you. He wanted to use single malt whiskey in our first meeting and I can’t tell you what he has asked for in the live on YouTube but it has really got me out of my comfort zone in a good way.
Started distilling on the island of Isla. Moved round various places and ended up at Massingberd Mundy
Produced two great gins. Burrell’s and Marie Jeanne
I love his recent pictures of the snow
I always love his posts about Angelica, his still.
He did a post recently where he had just finished a batch of the Marie Jeanne gin and had to add in that it had been named no.1 gin at the craft gin club. Does not surprise me.
Great post with Paul Burrell holding a bottle of Burrell’s
Nice picture showing Tristan and the sloes he collected whilst on the telly on BBC Countryfile. Is he making Sloe gin ? Can I get in on a bottle ?
I also really like the post where he is standing next to Charles Burrell

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 36 - How can you have a lock down Valentines day ?

Ben Hampson — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 36
Paul is working full time at Stockport Gin
The Gin Guide awards are accepting applications.
Lots of things are a foot that I can’t confirm at the moment. The podcast is changing and evolving.

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Stockport Gin - The Pink Edition

One of the biggest questions Paul and Cheryl got asked at markets was “Do you do a pink gin ?”
Paul and Cheryl never really intended producing a pink gin because they are not really fans because a lot pin gins in the marketplace are either full or sugar or too full of flavour.
They finally decided to take the plunge and work on a pink gin but it had to be on their terms. They took their original gin and post infuse it with raspberries, strawberries and pomegranate.
So is it any good ?
It is definitely my favourite Stockport Gin and it does not surprise me that they were the winner of the flavoured gin category at the The Gin Guide Awards.
The nose of the gin has the aroma of red fruit
The flavour profile starts sweet followed by a burst of fruit then dryness then heat from the alcohol and finally fruit.
The colour is slightly pink
When you add tonic, in my case you guessed in Mediterranean tonic, you still retain the fruit and dryness flavours. It is so refreshing. I can definitely seeing this one going down a storm on a summers day !! This would work well with any premium, standard, light tonic and Elderflower but again I would avoid other tonics with strong flavours.
This is a must have dry Martini 😀
I have tried this in many cocktails from simple Martinis 15:1 Montogomerys to more complex Martinis to Negroni and it work in all of them. I would really like to try this in a Cosmopolitan and a strawberry or raspberry daiquiri.
I can thoroughly recommend this gin and it has a proud place on my gin shelf.
Thank you Paul and Cheryl for all the work you do on Instagram in particular to enhance everyone’s experience with your one liners and congratulations to Paul going full time at Stockport.

How do you Valentine in the pandemic ?

Lets not think about what we can do for Valentines rather than what I can't
Plan with a gin. Mine is a Massingberd Mundy Marie Jeanne
Buy cards, flowers and gifts online
Think about the evening
Shop in plenty of time and don't forget the ice
How are you going set the mood. Smart lighting or candles ?
What are you going to start with to drink ? For me a Rhamanta Gin 1:1 with a Starlino Rose Aperitivo
Plan your meal so you can spend time with your loved one. Think about an oven based meal.
If you are having a takeaway then get your order in early
Turn off your phones and Instagram and social media
Take your time with the meal
Decide what you are going to drink. I would suggest something like Lind and Lime or Stockport Gin Twist of Lime Edition
For fishy dishes why not consider Dulwich gin
For a cleaner taste consider Martin Miller
For pudding I would suggest an ice cream or cheesecake.
If you want a really lovely recipe and want to go to town have a raspberry coulis with homemade shortbread and strawberries macerated with raspberry coulis !!
I hope whatever you do that you have a lovely valentines day

Instagram Community Shout Out

@jackrosegin

Chris & Sarah
Prosecco & Starlino Rose Aperitivo
WSET Level 2 Spirits
Three Wrens Gin Bison Grass Gin Vanilla and Herby Elderflower tonic garnishe with apple and cinamon
Whitby gin and Mediterranean tonic pink grapefruit
A pink gin, Mistral with 12 botanicals and Mediterranean tonic and grapefruit garnish
Hooting Owl North and West
Like your Negroni @stameccoamaro bathtub gin and campari
Three wren gins apple crumble gin
Amazzoni gin with Yorkshire tonics pink grapefruit garnished with kiwi and pineapple ice
I will add you to my stories all week.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 35 - How can you not love Martini ?

Ben Hampson — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 35
There have been some great things happening in the news.
I did my first instagram live with Tristan from Massingberd Mundy. Really enjoyed it and is definitely something I want to do more in the future.
I got a job which I am now in my second week. My very kind wife said that I could buy the range of The Gower Gin Company in celebration. Thank you to Sian and Andrew for their kind note.
I have been really enjoying some of the one liners from Stockport gin
I have been loving the Gower Gin company Rhamanta campaign at the moment. If you have not already tried it you really should and it will be in my stories all week as it is my weekly recommendation.
I have been really admiring those who have managed to do dry ginuary. It is very impressive. I have been trying not to drink in the week and have managed apart from the first week.

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

The Gower Gin Company - Rhamanta Gin

I was very kindly gifted a bottle of Rhamanta from The Gower Gin Company and I have loved it ever since.
I really love that it represent romance and it really is the perfect gin for Valentine’s Day.
Plus there is £5 off if you buy a bottle up to 14th February 2021. What are you waiting for ?
The nose of the gin has a delicate floral aroma.
The flavour profile starts dry followed by a delay and the you get a prolonged floral taste. This is then followed by heat from the alcohol and then finally a delicate peppery finish.
I could quite happily have this as a sipping gin with or without ice that is how diverse it really is.
I tested this with my usual fever tree Mediterranean tonic and it made a lovely G&T.
This is fabulous in a Martini especially a Montgomery 15:1. I am also going to try this weekend with @thestarlino Rose Aperitivo in a 50:50 mixture and I have high hopes for this too.
I think it would be great for cocktails as longer as you bear in mind the flavour is quite delicate. I would be careful not to choose too stronger flavours to pair it with.
This has a proud place on my gin shelf and I liked it so much I already have bought a bottle for stock.
If you have not already tried them I can absolutely recommend any of the Gower Gin Company gins.

Where to start with Martini ?

I think it starts with the glass
Horrified to say that I used to have dry martini but with fairly mediocre gin.
Totally different ball game when you go craft gin
Also recently I had some red wine and I felt awful in the morning. I don’t get that with good quality gin. Not that I drink that much of it except on special occasions !!
So what is a Martini and where does it come from ?
It is believed that it derived originally from the Manhattan (Whiskey, vermouth, bitters, cocktail cherry) which led to the Martinez (gin 2 martini 1 5ml Marrachino cherry liquer)
A martini essentially is the combination of gin and martini. A really dry martini is either a dash of vermouth or a Montgomery 15:1. A 1920-30 serving is more 3:1 and one that I am going to be trying is a 1:1 ratio
The next thing is do you shake or do you stir. I always like to shake. Essentially it turns out that the generally accepted principle is that you shake stronger ratios and stir weaker ratios
Then there is the garnish. Do you go olive, lemon or lime.
Personally I would only go olive i.e. a dirty martini if you have a much more earthy gin like LAW gin. LAW gin is very unique in that it can play nicely with citrus but it can also easily pair with olive too.
Going away from by beloved Rhamanta to more of a citrus vibe this can really make an amazing Martini. The like of Lind and Lime or Stockport Twist of Lime edition really make an amazing 15:1
The you can go more orange with the gorgeous l’orange gin from The Edge Gin, which is an amazing gin that also is just as happy in a G&T.
The trick with Martini is to make sure you understand what you want your taste profile to be and then choose the appropriate gin.
If you want a really clean gin for example that is much more traditional then go for something like Martin Miller which is going to give you a lovely tasting gin. You can mix it up a bit and instead of the traditional garnish add some strawberries or raspberries.
The think I also like about Martini is that it is also accepted that you can go a bit more modern. The likes of the Porn Star martini or Expresso Martini (replace the vodka with Coffee gin from Lava spririts and you cannot go wrong. In fact I am so excited about this prospect I definitely need to put this on my list of cocktails to try.
I think you can also go a bit off piste with this as well and as long as you respect that you have to have vermouth or similar then you really can go to town.
So before we go too much further lets think about Vermouth. The traditional vermouth is dry but I think you need to think carefully about what you pair it with. Generally vermouth is between 15-17% ABV
The key thing is to think about what goes with what. So for example I love Starlino Rosso but I would not serve that with Rhamanta for example but I would serve Starlino Rose Aperitivo because it is the perfect accompaniment. Strictly speaking it is not vermouth
Take something like Stockport Gin Twist of Lime edition. That works really well with a very dry vermouth like Regal Rogue ‘Lively’. Thank you Vanessa @nessejay91 for pointing me in the right direction on this one.
Finally you have other spirits which I kind of see as kindred spirits to Vermouth such as Lillet Blanc which I bought to do a Vesper Martini which adds in vodka to the mix. I have tried this with Martini Miller and it is amazing but last week I tried it with Burrell’s gin and it took it to a whole new level !!
So I think as long as you stick to broadly the right martini profile we can still call it gin.
The modern martinis stray away a little from this but I would still call it a martini as long as it has a reasonable amount of gin and vermouth. My Merlins Martini takes it a bit further and puts pear gin, vodka, starlino Rosso, Elderflower and a bit of grand mariner and is a lovely serve.
My Marple aqueduct is a nice serve as well with Stockport Gin Pink edition, strawberry liqueur, Apricot brandy liqueur, Starlino rose and lime juice.
The amazing thing is I have only scratched the surface with Martini and I have so many gins that I want to try out various serves with. I hope that I have given you a bit of an insight into Martini and inspired your creative juices.

Instagram Community Shout Out

@jackrosegin

Chris & Sarah
Prosecco & Starlino Rose Aperitivo
WSET Level 2 Spirits
Three Wrens Gin Bison Grass Gin Vanilla and Herby Elderflower tonic garnishe with apple and cinamon
Whitby gin and Mediterranean tonic pink grapefruit
A pink gin, Mistral with 12 botanicals and Mediterranean tonic and grapefruit garnish
Hooting Owl North and West
Like your Negroni @stameccoamaro bathtub gin and campari
Three wren gins apple crumble gin
Amazzoni gin with Yorkshire tonics pink grapefruit garnished with kiwi and pineapple ice
I will add you to my stories all week.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 34 - How do you find your Negroni nirvana ?

Ben Hampson — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 34
Sip and Share has gone up to 118 members
I am doing a live when this podcast is released at 19:00 today with Tristan from Massingberd Mundy
Great guess the weight competition from Massingberd-Mundy and great competition from The Gower Gin Company

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Viper Gin

I have been trying to get Carl on the podcast for a long time but due to his contract gin commitments it has not been possible.
He started after suffering a back injury as a chef in London and wanted to find something that would allow him to continue with food and so studied nutrition up to a PHD and then started distilling.
He was not sure what to call the gin when an adder or viper jumped out of the area they were clearing to grow botanicals for the gin.
The nose of the gin has the distinctive London dry aroma
The taste profile starts dry followed by a sweet flavour tingling on your tongue. This seem to linger for a long time and then finally you get heat from the alcohol
I added my usual Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic and found the taste very pleasant. With tonic you still get the dryness and sweetness but the final taste I think is a combination of the elderflower and juniper.
It is smooth enough for a dry Martini but would not work in my opinion.
I think this would work for a variety of cocktails and I would like to try this as a base for a Daiquiri.
I have added this to my long list of gin wants.

How do you find your Negroni nirvana ?

Ask any gin drinker that does not have G&T particularly if they enjoy gin a number of ways what they think of Negroni and I guarantee you will get a plethora of answers.
The very mention of the word seems to conjur up debate.
So first of all if your asking what is Negroni and where did it come from.
Difficult
Accepted story 1920’s Florence and Count Camillo Negroni
Ordered Americano Campari, Italian Vermouth and Soda water but replaced soda water with gin.
Great debate but more likely in 1919 or 1920 to be Camillo Luigi Manfredo Maria Negroni order in Cafe Casoni asked his Americano to be fortified with gin
Whatever the story accepted quantities are:-
1 part Gin
1 part Vermouth
1 part Campari
This should be stirred in a glass over cubed ice for 60 secs and then strained in a chilled rocks glass with ice.
Garnished with a slice of lemon or grapefruit
That recipe is from the curious bartender
The key thing to your negroni is first of all how you flex the parts of the drink and what type of gin you use for example or Vermouth or if you even use Campari.
So adjusting the quantities may not be accepted by the true negroni officionardos but is widely accepted by the Negroni community.
I would for example would probably up the Gin and Vermouth by quarter a measure and reduce Campari to half.
The problem for me is that I like to follow rules so for me I want to keep 1 part rule for the three components
The biggest problem for me is the Campari. Like any true mixologist or trainee mixologist in my case you have to taste everything neat
Have you ever tasted Campari neat. I think it is worse than Gordons neat. Initially the flavour profile is of a lovely sweet, slightly orange liquid. This is soon followed by the driest of tastes.
So what are the options. Take out the Campari and replace with Aperol. I have made a lovely Negroni with @theedgegin, @thestarlino Rosso Vermouth and Aperol
Alternatively you could keep the Campari but adopt one of the most amazing transformations in the world and infuse strawberries with Campari. Thanks to Tammy @forcocktailsake for this idea. The Campari goes from being the driest thing ever to like a mildly, flowing, gloopy syrup which has a modicum of dryness. This is my new way of doing Negroni
I tried it with @stockportgin, Pink Edition Gin and @thestarlino Rosso Vermouth. One of the nicest Negronis I have tasted
What about the Vermouth. Well here you can really go to town why not swap out from Dry Vermouth to a red vermouth or go wild with Lillet Blanc instead
I tried recently a Burrell’s gin, Lillet Blanc and Infused Campari with Strawberries and it is a winner.
The next part of the equation is the gin. There are a plethora of gins. I prefer to work with a standard gin or pink gin but I have tried and orange gin. I don’t see why you would not try a lemon or lime gin.
I had a comment from Laura @lavaspirits to say her go to is Campari, vermouth and her coffee gin which I think would put a very unique spin.
The there is the making of Negroni. Most purists would stir and then serve with ice.
Me personally I would shake and serve with no ice but add a garnish of Orange
Ultimately the possiblities are endless and you should not be put off finding what works for you. Just experiment
I would love to hear what you decide.

Instagram Community Shout Out

@ginandcocktails

I am delighted to announce that Gin & Cocktails have 6000 followers. So well deserved. I love the fact also they are two Scouse ladies. I have a strong affiliation with Liverpool as my family are from there
Love your picture of summer fusion of @brentingbygin mini. The colours are amazing
The off piste gin sounds right up my street. Love the sound of the flavour profile with vanilla, creaminess and juniperer. How could you go wrong ?
I love the M&S Clementine gin. The bottle looks so amazing and also refreshing that it does not get washed away by the Fever Tree Clemantine tonic. Also like the idea of mixing it with prosecco
Oooh love you Expresso Martini with Aberfalls Salted Toffee Liqueur. I think I would have gone for their Coffee and Dark chocolate myself which is absolutely lush !!
Glad to see you have tried Marie Jeanne from Massingberd-Mundy. I agree with your comment flaming gorgeous. I think it is one of the nicest gins I have tasted.
Really liked the post on Martin Millers Winter gin and what you did with it to make it into a mulled gin with 50ml Martin Miller, 75ml clementine juice, 5ml honey and 100ml host water. Absolutely lush.
So glad you have got to 6000 followers.
Thank you for the support of the @ginignite account and the podcast.
I will be adding you to my stories all week.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 33 - 10 tips to cope with Lockdown 3.0

Ben Hampson — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 33
Stockport Gin have started up again and had some great posts showing their production in full flow. They also announced an exciting project which they will be revealing very soon. They have also been out doing local deliveries. What could be better than Paul turning up at your door with gin ?
Tammy Jackson from @forcocktailsake had a great reel showing having a Martini whilst listening to Boris tell us all about Lockdown 3.0.
The Gower Gin Company have decided that after doing Veganuary and Dry January in previous years that this year they are going to do some walking. They are going be taking photos of their 6 pack of all their gins in various places on their travels. Worth thinking about investing in. Was £30 now £22.95. Bargain. I have just received the one I ordered. Can’t wait to try them in cocktails. So excited to try Rhosili Dragon Strength
Four Pillars have put out a post which caught my eye with their Bloody Shiraz gin which pair it with Bitter Lemon which sounds very interesting. Have not mentioned it but they have done it again with foodstuffs and their Bloody Shiraz Gin Caviar !!
Sip and Share UK - Kate got to 100 members which is amazing. I am proud to say that I am one of them. Kate is tireless in the work she puts into the membership site both from distillers and members. If you have not already you should definitely check it out.

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Stockport Gin - Twist of Lime Edition

Early in 2019 Stockport Gin were asked to participate in a big project called the The Big Leap.
Nineteen frogs were painted by local artists and placed all over the town. The idea was at the weekend that you would follow a map and find all the frogs and see different parts of the town.
They created this gin specifically on behalf of this project
After the project came to an end and pleas from local bars to keep supplying this gin, it became part of their standard range at the beginning of this year.
The nose of the gin has subtle lime aroma.
The taste profile has a sharp citrus burst, followed by a sweet flavour and then goes dry with a lime aftertaste. The lime is very delicate and not too in your face.
I added it to my normal testing Mediterranean tonic and it made a really refreshing G&T. This would work well with any premium, standard, light tonics or Elderflower but I would avoid any with really strong flavours.
It is so smooth and such a great flavour that it is amazing in cocktails. The lime has quite a bite neat so I would probably not create a dry martini but I have tried it as a Tom Collins and I will be trying it very soon as a gin based Mojito.
I have also come up with some other cocktails which will be showcased this Tuesday coming and Thursday.
This is another amazingly versatile gin which can be used in a G&T or a plethora of cocktails and has a very proud place on my gin shelf.

Lockdown 3.0 Coping Mechanisms

1. Support Network

Family
Friends
Online Community
Online Groups

2. Routine

Get up at the same time (05:00 for me)
Have breakfast and follow regular meals
Get out of your PJ’s
Limit your time on Netflix
Set boundaries between you and work

3. Food and Alcohol

Try and have just your meals and leave snacks until weekends
Think of fridge as nice person as long as you don’t visit too many times
Eat healthily. Recipe going out each Wednesday
Try to have alcohol at weekends or stick to one in the week (that is my rule)
One meal off. Don’t worry about alcohol consumption within reason

4. Get outside

Go for a walk
Try and allocate at least half an hour a day for exercise

5. Be Thankful and Positive

I am trying to say thank you to at least one person a day for something
Try and be as positive as you can be. National PJ day still rules !!

6. Take each day one at a time

Come to terms with the new normal
Reframe the situation. Try not to think of it as 6 months at home but rather 6 months without the commute
Create lists of tasks
Knock out those projects that you keep leaving for a rainy day

7. Help Others and help yourself

Try and do your bit for people and if you can’t then stay home. Staying home is the new going out.
If you find you are not coping:-
Samaritans - Call 116123 for free
Mind - 0300 123 3393 or text 86463

8. Sleep, stay nourished and be mindful

Binge watching till 1am
Sleeping during the day
Eat healthily
Plan when you are going to have alcohol
Think about how you can curb your anxiety by doing something to take your mind of it like meditation or just eating your food slower
Restrict your new

9. Virtualise

Think about how you can do things virtually Zoom, Instagram live, FaceTime
Go on a walk at the same time as your friend and have a phone call
Have a meal with someone virtually
Have a drink with someone virtually

10. Future

Think about what you will do in the future
How will you really enjoy what you have ?
There are things to look forward to like being able to not worry who is coming round the corner
Hugging people

Instagram Community Shout Out

Sue @mumslovegin
Enjoyed your post at New Year with your @hepple_spirits Ultrasonic Negroni and then @manchester_ginraspberry gin with @chambordliqueur. Sounds amazing
Loved you post with your Mackintosh London Dry and smug Ernie wearing your Gin Pal badge. I think Ernie is an elf ?
Always love @theedgegin Pear. Check out my cocktail at the weekend where I worked with the Wizard of Alderley edge for another fabulous cocktail. See Ernie was also getting in on the act. Nice serve with @fevertreemixersElderflower tonic.
Just got to your post and now I understand where the Ginpals badge comes from. I need to buy some Mackintosh gin it seems so I have a chance of getting one too !!
Really like your post about your evening with @murphysgin. I was lucky enough to be given some also by @nessejay91 and found them really interesting. I was particularly surprised and inspired that they use an alembic still rather than the normal column still and I think this could probably account for the impressive taste
I love that every few months you try a different Negroni combination. I think that is really good. I think my best one is with @theedgegin L’Orange, @thestarlino Rosso Vermouth and Aperol.
Been enjoying your holy Island Gin posts as well. I definitely need to try one of their gins very soon.
Also had to dig back a bit but glad you also reviewed Burrells gin from @massingberd_mundy
Thank you very much for all your support of the podcast and the @ginignite account.
I will be adding you to my stories all week.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 32 - 5 Healthy Habits for 2021

Ben Hampson — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 32

Quiet

It has been fairly quiet as most distilleries took the time after Christmas to regroup and have a rest.
I have also taken the time to have a bit more of a relax.
I am hoping to have more to report next week.

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

LAW Gin

This gin was introduced to me by Andie Riches when she was a guest on the podcast in episode 14.
I got in touch with Luna (the L in LAW) and we arranged a date to speak about their gin. Luckily it was a bit ahead of time as they very kindly gifted me their gin.
This meant that I was fully prepared before our chat.
The nose of the gin has a subtle aroma of lemons
The tasting profile starts slightly sweet before going dry and then you get an elongation of a lemon but with a sweetness which is just the right balance. At the end of the profile you get heat from the alcohol and finally to a subtle sweet flavour. You also get an interesting flavour and sensation on the tongue which I think is something to do with the prickly pear.
It is a very unique taste and I think this comes down to LAW’s use of the alembic still.
On adding to Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic you get a very pleasant G&T which has really interesting taste profile. The lemon is somewhat dialled back.
To me this is best gin to add to a dirty martini. It just bonds to the olives and creates a fantastic taste.
This gin is also suitable to use with a variety of cocktails. I have tried a number that particularly play towards the orange or the lemon botanicals.
It has a very proud place on my gin shelf.

5 Healthy Habits for 2021

Introduction

So today 1st January 2021 marks the start of another year.
Hopeful that Covid might be more under control during this year but don’t know when
First lockdown a lot of people put on weight.
As in the UK we are effectively in the third lockdown I am determined that we all need to start thinking about our weight.
Me included. Before we go the same way as lockdown 1 and 2.
Weight loss is a almost a taboo subject and one which sparks a lot of controversy on how to successfully to manage it.
The truth is you need to find a technique or programme or both that works for you.

1. Planning

Planning weekly meals -> Know what your having
Planning -> Shopping List
Utilise Ingredients - 2 meals
Frozen Items
Additional Condiments
Use Water
Rewarding within calories

2. Monitor your statistics

Weight yourself
Count your calories
BMI
Body Fat %
Steps
Heart Rate

3. Exercise

Start doing some exercise
I walk twice a day
Don’t bite off more than you can
Build up from a starting point you feel comfortable with

4. Routine

Follow whatever the plan you are says
Try and consume the calories recommended
Have one meal where you don’t worry about what you have
Filling food to stop snacking
Mental strength

5. Rewards and Trigger Points

Takeaway menus
Frozen pizzas
One meal off a week
Keep going
Reward yourself for getting to certain goals

Instagram Community Shout Out

Lorna @loopy4scottishgin
Carebear post. I think you are right that only the Care Bears can save 2021. It seems that hopes of an end to all of this keep being dashed.
I love your post on gunshot gin. I also love the colour of this gin and the thought of local honey, mixed spice, cinnamon and cloves all aged for 3-4 months. It is true that this maybe more of a liqueur than a gin but it looks amazing and I could see so many applications.
The post you did on Britannia gin was really interesting and sounds as though you were very lucky to get hold of a bottle on the pickings website rather than actually visiting the Royal Yacht in Edinburgh. It sounds such a complex botanically rich gin absolutely in keeping with it’s namesake.
I really liked your post on Isle of Bute gin. I have heard a couple of raving reviews for this very recently. As a Martini lover I think the Oyster gin that they produce would be the one for me as it seems would be your recommendation.
Your post on Misty Isle Gin was really interesting and definitely caught my eye with those 11 botanicals. I also love the fact it is from the Isle of Skye.
I don’t know whether you have tried it but I can thoroughly recommend Lind & Lime from the Port Of Leith Distillery if you are looking for a new Scottish gin to try.
Keep it up.
I will be adding you to my stories all week..

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 31 - Ian Stirling from The Port Of Leith Distillery

Ben Hampson — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 31

Christmas

The news is going to be short this week
If you celebrate I hope you have a very merry Christmas and happy new year.
I know 2020 has been difficult. Really hope that 2021 is going to be much better.
Really look forward to joining you next year

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

The Gower Gin Company Pinwydd Gin
There are a few distilleries where I am a real fanboy. The Gower Gin Company is one of those distilleries.
I have spoken about it before but Sian and Andrew are botanical wizards. The way they mix the botanicals together is sublime and each taste is like paradise on your palette.
Each of their gins is very distinctive but so well balanced. Pinwydd is no exception.
The nose of the gin has the subtle aroma of orange and pink peppercorns.
Upon taking it neat you get a dryness initially, followed by a sweet taste which meanders into orange and cranberry hitting you palette finally tapering off with the peppercorns.
I tried it with Fevertree Mediterranean Tonic and it made a very pleasant G&T with a really subtle orange and peppercorn taste.
I think you could easily pair this with most tonics although I would avoid ones which are very strong in flavour.
I would definitely like to try this in a dry martini and I can see this working really well with many type of cocktails such as Negroni.
This really is a gorgeous gin and I would strongly recommend trying the six pack offered by The Gower Gin. This will hopefully give you an idea which one to pick or you could be like me and you don’t know which one to choose.
This definitely deserves to be added to my list of gin wants and will hopefully appear on my gin shelf very soon.

Ian Stirling from The Port Of Leith Distillery

Initial Work

Worked in wine trade for Majestic and then Robersons
Got to travel but eventually decided that wanted to produce rather than distribute a product
Decided that although knew wine wanted something that could produce from Scotland and so decided on Whiskey

Where did it start ?

Shared flat with other co-owner Paddy
Shared Whiskey between the two of them and went on tasting and then got a little still
No single malt distillery in Edinburgh
Having lunch with client from China and they agreed to fund setting up the distillery
So far in the whiskey distillery they have poured the concrete for the ground floor.
About 15 months away from completion of the distillery

Started big in the gin distillery

For Whiskey distillery have to start big
For gin can start small but started bigger than a lot producers
Invest in a unit
Use organic neutral grain spirit from Switzerland

Structured Approach

Challenge to produce gin because much larger volumes than expected
5 days process
On Monday charge the still and put in six of seven botanicals with the organic neutral grain spirit to macerate. The Limes are left out and peeled
On Tuesday and turn on still. Distillation day 10 or 11 hours and by end distillate is 60% and dilute down to bottling strength of 44%.
Let settle for a day or two
Bottle on Friday normally.
Hand label each one
Changed a bit because quite often doing 2 - 3 runs per week

Setup of gin house

Hooked up with James Porteous at Electric Spirit Co to help design the gin
They already produce a gin called Achroous
Split rent and share still
Reason for 500 litre still

Lind & Lime Brand

Benchmark London Dry Gin
Space for simple gin but do it very well
Juniper should be front and centre but have citrus as well
Heritage element of Port Of Leith as distribution point for cognac and wine
Ian is exceedingly proud of where the business is now
Great labour of love and took 18 lonely months to get out to the marketplace

Lind & Lime Gin

Clear idea of what to create very early on for recipe development
Limited to 7 botanicals
Worked with James from Electric Spirit Co to develop recipe
Wanted to make sure that all botanical balanced out
When developing the recipe needed something to balance the lime and so add pink peppercorns.
Tied back to Edinburgh and James Lind who was responsible for solving the issue of scurvy in the navy and was known for the first clinical trials
Also link back to Roses Lime Cordial
When it is neat get the juniper and pepper. Lime taste not so much because bound up with alcohol
The moment you add anything else such as tonic releases the lime

Bottle

The bottle is very different
Liked burgundy bottle shape and thought would be cheap. Unfortunately produce it in 75cl but not 70cl which required for spirits
Eventually decided that had to make bottle
Added ribs down the bottle and liked green / blue glass
Luckily green / blue glass was cheaper
Took 18 months
Found company in Italy
Got 3D model first and then finally sample bottle
At the bottom of bottle had Leith Glass Works edged on the base of the bottle tribute to industry which was massive in Leith
Lots of customers re-using bottle for lights, home made Sloe Gin or olive

Where next ?

Keep Lind & Lime pure so will not be adding any extra flavours
Plans to do miniatures and magnums
Also looking to do ready made G&T
Distributing to 8 countries at the moment, expecting to be in 14 markets by the end of 2020. In 2021 will expand to 20.
The more countries export gin to the better because eventually will use these links to distribute the Whiskey
Won best London Dry and The Scottish Gin Awards 2020.

Contact

What is your favourite gin other than your own and how would serve it ?

Achroous gin
James at Electric Spirit Co makes a gin with Sichuan pepper
Serve as G&T

What does gin mean to you ?

The End of Day
Alcoholic gin when want to be refreshed
Holidays / Relaxation
Reminds of late father who liked gin. He would always review gin with his children on holiday.
Sadly passed away before able to have a Lind & Lime Gin

Instagram Community Shout Out

@nikkimendesuk
I really started following Nikki from very early on when I started on Instagram.
The think I love about her account is how her engagement makes you feel. She is really good at showing through her posts and stories what is happening next in her journey.
I loved her recent post of port, gin and ginger ale altogether. Love the addition of the grated nutmeg
Love the post about the cocktail Autumn Vibes. Really like the sound of this orange, lemon, gin, simple syrup and egg white.
I really liked the post she did on the distilling course she did with Jamie Baxter. It was very different to the corporate path at Tesco that she worked on for 23 years.
I also was so proud of the post when she had actually launched her gin.
Finally I really loved the picture of her in a poppy field on International Gin & Tonic Day
I also keep and eye on Nikki’s stories and I love it when she does her pieces to camera.
It is always so fun being kept updated.
Keep it up.
I will be adding you to my stories all week..

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 30 - Review of 2020

Ben Hampson — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 30

What is your Christmas cocktail going to be ?

So this is released on Friday so we have exactly one week to get into the Christmas spirit

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Weekly Gin Recommendation - Pitwheel Distillery Classic Dry

I have always been a real fan of Pitwheel distillery and it seems only fitting when reviewing 2020 to highlight this wonderful gin brand.
Even though I had small batch gins it was not until I started tasting this gin that I realised how different craft gins are.
This was also the first gin that I tasted neat.
The nose of the gin has that familiar London Dry aroma and does not give any indication how special this gin actually is.
On tasting it neat you get a dryness followed by a very, very subtle citrus flavour which reminds me of a very subtle parma violet taste on your palette.
The taste is so smooth I would be quite happy to have this as a sipping gin.
I tested this with Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic as usual and it created a very pleasant G&T. It would work well with a standard light tonic or Elderflower. It may even work with a hibiscus based tonic given that this is one of the key botanicals.
This definitely has the smoothness for a dry martini but would not work for me personally.
The palette is quite delicate so I would be careful what I paired it with cocktail wise. Maybe a lime based Tom Collins would be a good call.
This is a gin which will be added to my long list of gin wants and is not on my gin shelf yet but I anticipate it will be in the future finances permitting

2020 Review

Merry Christmas

So I thought I would review the year and wish you a very Merry Christmas all at the same time.
So before I review the year I would like to thank all of you for taking your valuable time to listen in to me and my guests.
I have managed to connect quite a few people together this year and I am really pleased about that.

Negativity

There has been some negativity, especially related to Vanessa @nessejay91 who got here account shutdown for a while due to an unnecessary investigation because she was reported for impersonating somebody.
Also Kate from @sipandshareuk had a troll which caused her no end of issues on some of her lives.
I am glad to say that both of them talked about this and showed such strength through all of this and I am so proud of both of them.
I am also so pleased that they hooked up and are doing a live with Charles and Mike on Monday 21st December 2020 at 20:00 which is really exciting.

2020 Review

So now I wanted to look back at the guests that I have had on the show.

Nikki Mendes @theonlywayisgin

Nikki Mendes was my first guest and she was planning to get her gin school, signature gin and distillery setup.
Sadly due to Covid she did manage to release her gin on 16th November but the other two will have to wait until next year.
I have got so much time for Nikki and I am looking forward to talking to here in 2021 when everything is up and running.

Vanessa @nessejay91

Vanessa @nessejay91 came on the show.
We had so much fun on the show and have had so much fun ever since.
She really inspires me with her posts about everything be it LGBTQ+, her life in general or cocktails.
I love how brutally frank and honest she is, her attitude to life and some of the inspiring things she has done this year like #smallginseptember.
She is also my mixology master.

Laura Bridge from @lavaspirits

Then the lovely Laura Bridge from Lava Spirits joined me.
I remember speaking to her for the first time and was so excited she decided to include the podcast in her launch week.
I am still in awe of her flavours in her gin.
I still don’t understand how she tamed coffee and juniper let alone how she surpassed herself and tamed coffee, orange and juniper.
Her brand is going from strength to strength and mixologist everywhere are enjoying the unique taste of her gin.

Tristan Jorgensen from Massingberd-Mundy on the South Ormsby Estate

A true master distiller, of TV fame joined me in Episode 12.
You can’t help but be wowed by Tristan’s exceptional botanical skills.
His two gins Burrell’s and Marie Jeanne are just triumphant gins.
I am honoured to have been gifted them by Massingberd Mundy.
Since his appearance on Countryfile order have been flying out the door and I could not wish this more for anyone.
I was absolutely honoured to have you on the show.

Ian Paget from @logogeek

Then Ian Paget from Logo Geek joined me to go through how to think about your brand, whether you are an regular instagrammer, a distiller or a bar.
This was so informative and it was an absolute honour to have him on the show as well.

Andie Riches @geordieslovegin

The lovely Andy Riches came on the show to give us an insight as to why she started posting about gin and to talk about Mermaids and rowing.
We also talked about what we looked for in brands and she interested me to the lovely LAW gin.
One day I am definitely going to have to learn how to be a Mermaid with a pink tail to match my brand obviously !!

Mark Herbert @the_wanderingbartender

Then I was graced with Mark from @the_wanderingbartender who explained how he had joined the navy to escape from the rain and what led to him meeting his wife and then getting into bar tending, managing and mixology.
He was so fascinating also about his support of his wife’s business where he made a bespoke cocktail for the happy couple and delivered it to them wherever they were up a mountainside !!
Mark was so kind with the knowledge he shared.

Clare Ryan @theedgegin

After Mark came Clare from The Edge Gin.
I have a particular love for The Edge Gin brand because of it’s story and also because Clare is so lovely and so easy to talk to.
We talked all about this magical brand and their gins London Dry, L’Orange and Pear. It was absolutely amazing and to date she is the only one to ask for a side order of Alioli with her gin.
I also got to make cocktails with Merlin, The Wizard of Alderley Edge.
I am hoping to reprise this partnership with Merlin in the new year.

Paul Jackson @theginguide

Then I was joined by Paul Jackson, who I can only describe as an absolute legend.
I was so humbled that he joined me on the show and was so inspired by his knowledge.
The thing I particularly liked was his explanation of The Gin Guide Awards which I will be watching closely starting in January.
I love reading the writes up he does for the many gin brands and look forward to reading lots more in 2021.

Kate Carney from @sipandshareuk

I then had my collab with Kate from Sip and Share.
I have to say this is probably one of my best episodes because Kate is so bubbly and we had such a lovely conversation.
Kate I promise that I will be joining Sip and Share in the New Year !!!
She was so epic and kind with her help to anyone on Instagram about how to grow their account whether they were a regular instagram account or a distiller.
If you have not done so already definitely check out her account.

Brit from @the_botanical_trading_company

It was then the turn of the lovely Brit from The Botanical Trading Company.
I have to be completely honest when I was introduced to Brit through Vanessa I was not sure whether her subscription service would work.
How could it rival other larger subscription services ?
By the end of our chat I had dropped my Craft Gin Club subscription and signed up to hers.
I wish I had signed up a month earlier than I did because I missed out on Thunderflower gin.
You win some you lose some.
Since signing up I have had Lind & Lime gin which is sensational and Lin Gin which is very nice.
I can’t wait to see what my next bottle is in January 2021 !!

Alex and Luna from @lawginibiza

Then I went over to Europe (virtually) and spoke to the fabulous Luna and Alexander from LAW Gin.
We had such a lovely chat and they were kind enough to send me a bottle of their gin. I have been using it for quite a few cocktails and it is so versatile.
I am in awe of the process they use to create it in their Alembic still which is the same as it was in the Middle Ages.
I am still hopeful that they will be distributed here in the UK in the not too distant future.
Thank you to Paul at The Gin Guide for his help with this one.

Harry and Victoria from @cheshiremobilebars

Everything seems to happen in Cheshire or Essex it seems gin wise and I was joined by Harry and Victoria from Cheshire Mobile Bars.
I loved the idea of the mobile bar and more importantly their nationwide delivery service.
I was also fascinated about Harry’s knowledge and talking to him about master classes.
I think the favourite nugget I took away though is The Breakfast Martini !! Thank you Harry !!

Paul from @stockportgin

Loosely related to Cheshire given it was part of that county until it move to Greater Manchester was Stockport Gin.
I loved the passion Paul from Stockport Gin showed towards his town and his local football team.
I love the way he clearly has inspired a lot of distillers and also that he has given back to the community.
I also like the way that he and Cheryl run the brand.
I was honoured to be gifted some of their gins and I have subsequently gone on to buy some of them for Christmas. Can’t wait to try them.
If you want to know how to run a successful Instagram distillers account look no further than their account.
I also love their passion for markets and the fact they are in partnership with Selfridges.

Tammy Jackson from @forcocktailsake

Then I was joined by a quite simply outstanding mixologist who also happens to be a bit of a social media whizz.
She was amazing about how she gave so many tips about what you can do with your own instagram or if you are a distillery or bar.
In addition and the thing that most excited me was talking through how she would change some classic cocktails.
I still have not tried an infusion but one with Campari and strawberries is definitely on the cards over Christmas.
If you have not checked out her lives with Paul from Mix and Match on Tuesday and Thursday at 20:00 they are a must !!

Charlie and Mike from @charlesandmike

Finally my last guest before this episode was Charlie and Mike from Charles and Mike Distilling.
They told me all about their journey launching the first iteration of The Big Seven and how they have now moved into a new distillery and their Sloe gin.
I wish them all the luck for next year and on their live with Kate from @sipandshareuk and Vanessa from @nessejay91 on Monday 21st December 2020.

My Instagram Shoutouts

2021 Distillery Catchups

Now there are some distilleries that I did not get a chance catch up with.
Otterbeck distillery I would still love to talk to you.
I would also love to talk to Sian and Andrew from The Gower Gin Company.
I have reviewed some of their gins and they are amazing. They are botanical mix wizards and from an amazing part of the country.
I would also love to talk to Macintosh gin and Martin Miller.
I am hoping that those will come to fruition in 2021.

Thank you

All that is left for me to say is thank you again for your time to listen to my guests. I look forward to doing it all again in 2021.

Instagram Community Shout Out

Carina @carina_wolff_dk
Carina is a gin blogger and a third of @girls_on_gin
I wanted to highlight her account thought because she has been a massive supporter of mine but also she...

Episode 29 - Your Christmas Day Challenge

Ben Hampson — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 29

Christmas

Please support your local or favourite distilleries. Mine are growing by the day !!
Stockport Gin - their lockdown boxes are amazing as well as their gin filled baubles. Lots of things selling out so be quick. They have loads of gifts from stocking fillers, secret Santa's gifts, to luxury gift boxes, glasses, mugs and much more!
The Edge Gin - great offers for their gins as well as liqueurs, glasses and chocolates. Lockdown 2 offer and Free Shipping over £40
Pitwheel Distillery - new Orange and Ginger gin as well as all their old favourites
The Gower Gin Company - 6 of their gins all in one box, Sloe Gin and festive 3 (Sloe Gin, Bara Brith and Pinwydd)
Massingberd-Mundy get a £10 voucher back

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Weekly Gin Recommendation - The Only Way Is Gin

I have been a fan of this brand before it even started to produce gin because Nikki Mendes starred on episode 7 of the show
I was so excited despite the pandemic and the delays this caused that Nikki finally managed to release her gin.
I wanted to show my support so I bought two miniatures.
I really like this idea because it gives you a chance to properly review the gin.
I was also interested to see if I could taste the elongation of flavour to the poppy seeds.
The nose of the gin has very delicate aroma of the orange blossom
The tasting profile starts dry followed by a sweet elongated taste with delicate citrus notes, culminating in heat from the alcohol before going dry at the back end of the profile.
The taste neat is very delicate and surprisingly sweet. It is even more pleasant when an ice cube was added.
As usual I tested with Mediterranean tonic and this is where this gin comes into it’s own.
It is a really pleasant sweet, delicately citrus based G&T and one of those bottles that you can always count on to give to friends or family or have a cheeky G&T yourself.
I would definitely serve with pink grapefruit and plenty of ice as I think this would take the flavour profile to a whole new level. It is a bit like adding blueberries to Brockmans
This gin is smooth enough for a dry martini but would not work in my opinion
I could however see this in an Expresso Martini or a Pornstar Martini and I really like the clover club or bramble serves on the website.
If you are looking for a staple gin for G&T with potential for cocktails then this is the gin for you.
It is definitely being added to my long list of gin wants.

Are you Up for a Christmas Day Challenge ?

You also have two weeks to work out what your Christmas cocktail is going to be
There have been some great ones on Instagram
I have been looking round for inspiration to see what you could go for
Why should I have a Christmas cocktail ?
I had never thought of this until Tammy from @forcocktailsake mentioned this two weeks ago. Her and her Mum have always come up with a new cocktail for each dinner party
That is amazing !!
So I thought what a good idea for Christmas and what inspiration.
The reason I like the idea of coming up with one yourself is because you can make it specific to represent you and your family.

The Scene On Christmas Day

So picture it now
It is Christmas day
The air outside is cold and crisp and you go out to get ready for festivities
You look into the freeze and see your box where you have your garnishes for your cocktails
You open the fridge and look at that special mixture you are going to add to your cocktail or that fruit that you are going to muddle (mix into the shaker like a pestle and mortar).
You get excited. No one in the family is going to expect a cocktail dedicated to them
Then a few hours later everyone is dressed up in their Christmas finest and arriving at your door. Well the two families you are allowed to meet up with anyway.
They come in and then you announce. Today we are going to have the cocktail name you have made up
You feel so proud
Everyone looks at you with amazement and slight apprehension
You serve it to them. It is a triumph.
And all because the lady loves milk tray
Sorry showing my age
And all because you got the idea from some bloke on The Gin Ignite podcast

So why am I leaving it two weeks before ?

Because you have the fun part trying the cocktail out to perfect it !!!
Not Adventurous ?
So before I get all excited about what you can do what happens if you are not adventurous ?

Three options

Serve some bubbly ignore this episode !!
Lookup a cocktail you fancy and make that from the recipe
Follow my chosen Christmas recipe

My Christmas Cocktail

So I have already chosen my cocktail. I have chosen it because it is easy to make and the ingredients are really accessible. It also is not alcohol heavy like I tend to enjoy my cocktails to make sure I account for other people in my family.
To make it you need to add the following to a shaker:-
Optional muddle a strawberry in the shaker
Add ice
50ml pink gin (Gordons Pink is cheap and easy to get hold of if you need to buy one)
25ml Elderflower Liqueur (cheap in a lot of supermarkets. Mine came from Sainsbury’s)
15ml Sugar Syrup
Shake up the contents
Double filter into a glass
Top up with Prosecco
Add a garnish of sliced strawberries held together with a cocktail stick

So think of your cocktail. What will it be ?

The first big decision is to think about what type of gin you are going to use
Traditional London Dry, citrus based gin, fruit based gin, Coffee based gin. So many decisions
Depending on what you have chosen is going to greatly influence what you want to do
For example a lime base gin you could think of a Mojito or breakfast martini or Tom Collins
Orange based gin you could do something like a ginger rogers, bronx, claridge or Negroni
Raspberry based gin you could look at a daiquiri or Guiniveres Sorrow that I posted
You have got some great gin classics you could try like fluffy duck, gimlet or Singapore sling
There are the new classics like Pornstar Martini or Expresso martini.
Go to the distiller who produce the gin you have chosen. Have they got any recommended serves

For those of you thinking but what if I wanted my own spin.

My advice would be take an existing cocktail with gin or not and then think about what you could add to it.
For example good editions are a good Vermouth like @thestarlino, a good Elderflower liqueur or Passoa a passionfruit liqueur
Once you have established what you want your flavours to be and the drink you are basing it on then start exprimenting just like a lab !!
I would start with roughly the amounts from the recipe you are basing things on
Then change as you do your tests
I would love to know what you have come up with whether it is a classic cocktail, the one I am having at Christmas or a brand new one you have created

More inspiration

Want advice ? I am more than happy to help if I can
Good luck with your cocktail quests and let me know what you come up with.

Instagram Community Shout Out

@mumma_loves_gin
I like the fact that you are a Mumma, mermaid obsessed and enjoy gin. A great combination
I really liked you recent gin cabinet post. The gin cabinet had everything, It had gin, mermaids and glasses. All things need to taste gin!!
Love the post I am on the Gin & Tonic diet. I have already lost 3 days. I am definitely switching to the gin & tonic direct over the next few months so I can lose a few days. LOL
Like the idea of ginfusions especially if you added them to cocktails !! That would make them really interesting
I like the in dog gins I have only had one. I am definitely switching that to answer my wife when she asks me how many I have had !! LOL
Very interested on the Hedgerow Elderflower gin post from Chase Distillery
Finally I really enjoyed the post when you got to 1000 followers and introducing yourself.
Keep it up.
I will be adding you to my stories all week.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 28 - Charlie and Mike from Charles and Mike Distilling

Ben Hampson — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 28

Maidstone Distillery

Discovered through Tammy @forcocktailsake
Happy Thanksgiving Post
George Bishop London Dry which boast 15 botanics and a warm Mediterranean orange combine with delicate spice
Ranscombe Wild Small Batch Gin - floral notes on the nose are deceptive, as at first sip descends into dark pine forrest notes
Sharps Toffee Liqueur - based on toffee created by grocery shop Edward Sharp

Black Friday

Hope you got a good Black Friday deal
Stockport Gin had some great deals and I managed to bag three bottles on Black Friday - 25% off
Lavaspirits had some great deals with 20% off
The Only Way Is Gin had some good deal with 15% off

Christmas

Please support your local or favourite distilleries. Mine are growing by the day !!
Stockport Gin - their lockdown boxes are amazing as well as their gin filled baubles. Lots of things selling out so be quick. They have loads of gifts from stocking fillers, secret Santa's gifts, to luxury gift boxes, glasses, mugs and much more!
The Edge Gin - great offers for their gins as well as liqueurs, glasses and chocolates. Lockdown 2 offer and Free Shipping over £40
Pitwheel Distillery - new Orange and Ginger gin as well as all their old favourites
The Gower Gin Company - 6 of their gins all in one box, Sloe Gin and festive 3 (Sloe Gin, Bara Brith and Pinwydd)
Massingberd-Mundy get a £10 voucher back

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Weekly Gin Recommendation - Lind & Lime Gin from the Leith Distillery

I was introduced to this gin by Brit from The Botanical Trading Company. It was my November box.
For some reason whenever I get citrus gin I think it is going to be too full or sugar or it will be so citrus that the juniper will just get lost.
I should not really think like this the l’Orange gin from The Edge Gin or Twist of Lime from Stockport gin.
So I have to say initially I was a tad disappointed when I received this. I had an initial taste and can say that this pre-conception was misguided because it was absolutely lovely.
As you will see this is very versatile gin with the martini’s I will be putting out this week.
The nose of the gin is a subtle lime
The flavour profile is really interesting. It starts with a brief moment where there is no apparent taste, then the lime lingers. The lime is not sweet and it is not tart it is just delightful. The flavour profile continues with a dry taste and then here is a brief heat from alcohol.
This gin is so versatile. I would be quite happy to have this as a sipping gin either with or without ice
I added some Mediterranean tonic and the G&T is sensational. It lifts the lime. I could drink this all day. It would make a great summers day drink.
This gin is so smooth that I would love to have this in a dry martini.
It is also so versatile and can be put into cocktails. I have tried in a Tom Collins, Breakfast Martini and a Dry Martini of Sorts
This is a sensational gin and one which has a proud place on my gin shelf. I heartfelt thank you to the Botanical Trading company and a slight worry on my behalf that there will not be a lot left because I am enjoying it too much

Charlie and Mike from Charles & Mike Distillers

How did you start on your distilling journey ?

Invited on a Christmas party to City of London Distillery
Really enjoyed process to choose botanicals and create a gin
Mike admits that his gin was not as good as Charlie’s
Decided that it was something that they wanted to do
Bought a still from eBay, vodka and botanicals and started experimenting
Made a few types of gin some good, some bad
Came up with one gin and gave out to friends and family to check that it was not just their view that this gin was ok
Decided that the wanted to do this properly so went on HMRC site and found quite easy to setup a distillery
Got licence for personal consumption first
Quite easy to get licence for commercial use. HMRC were really quite careful
Used Dymo label to create first bottle label. Look like what you would find in a science lab
Really popular so continued to make whilst obtaining the licences they needed to go commercial
In order to get the licence you need a VAT number and in order to have a VAT number you have to incorporate a company
One thing led to another and they ended up with a fully incorporated company and one thing led to another and by 11th March 2020 had all licences in place
Thing really crazy when first received shipment of duty stamps
At that point Big 7 Version 1.0
How do we turn into something different ? Wanted to add Chamomile but had to be careful too little can’t taste but too much get liquorice taste
Took 12 runs to get to Big 7

What difficulties did you have filling bottles ?

Both new to this. Had to become experts in everything from environmental health to food safety
Alcohol can change volume dependent on ambient temperature
Initially filled by volume but when the temperature changed the alcohol went up or down
Always having to top up
Discovered after visiting another distiller that needed to do measurement by weight and not volume
Some Big 7 1.0 may have more gin because topping up.
Thought distilling would be the hard part
Now the issue is bottling and labelling and all the other items that go from filling to getting the bottle to consumers

What issues have you had with labelling ?

Shared label with friend in Scotland but wanted to improve the design.
Put in touch with Andrea who works at Avian in Dundee, Scotland
Really amazing
Have to sign the label off about twelve times before goes to print
Got to printers but the printing machine has broken
Waiting company to fix it
Do think it is a conspiracy
This is where naivity shows up because everything takes longer when larger commercial quantities
Had to adjust to bigger quantities
Decided to reduce remaining stock once had final designs and labels and sold through in a couple of days thinking they would go live
That was 3.5 months ago
Have had time to move into new distilleries and get new website setup

What have you changed on the website ?

Website setup really quickly. First website was online shop
New website was more about the spirits
A bit about our story
Botanicals used and service

How is the new distillery ?

Originally worked out of their friends Matt’s outbuilding in his big garden
Took about a month to setup
Matt was a great host and made coffees and teas
Setup all the licences etc and the fire certificates
Then were looking for new premises
Found quite a few but were quite large
Went walked in. Had holes in the wall, sofas and a dead fridge
Said would take it and landlord said would fix it before moving in
When moved in was imaculate. All the wall had been fixed. painted. Plastic wall guards
Biggest issue was most places wanted 6 months deposit in advance
Fully licensed to go. Much swifter this time because new what doing

How do you distill the Big 7 ?

All botanicals directly in the still at about 93 ABV. No maceration.
Take out of still and bring down to 40% ABV
Were going for 42% originally but found much nicer at 40%
London Essence Grapefruit and Rosemary tonic
Have to be careful not to take too much gins which did in future runs
Re-use the tails

What are the stills called ?

Two stills
One is called Ham after a friend
The other one is unamed
May have a competition

How did the bottle delivery go ?

Nervous
Did not have a forklift
Farmer resolve this and dropped out of the still
Quite uneven ground so a bit worried
1 ton of glass
All went well in the end
Going to bottle up today
Hopefully labels will be coming

How did you get into gin in the first place ?

Mike has been to loads of distillery
Always stands out when see gin lane
Edinburgh gin did tour and tasting
Spending time with distillers and brands
Charlie was strictly a Stella Artois man until about 5 years ago when started at the airport
He was a Whiskey specialist
Ended up into whiskey and then vodka
Then started to get into gin
Versatile spirit
Gordons was the only gin brand before that
Different relationship with alcohol
Both have move to cognac
Love tequila

What are your flavour go to’s ?

Charlie had bland flavours before that is why went for big flavours. Appreciate big flavours in gin.
Mike likes citrus like flavour.
Trying to go for a more masculine bottle of gin.
Chamomile gives long lasting finish

How would you describe the flavour profile for the Big 7 ?

Called big 7 because have 7 big flavours
Juniper is key and cuts through all flavours
Chamomile also huge flavour so had to balance the flavour with juniper
Once achieved that and got the lemongrass and bay leaves involved then started to create citrus charactristic neat with ice or tonic

What’s the influence for Sloe gin ?

Charlie’s Mum likes this
Would not be true distiller if did not create a Sloe gin at Christmas
Mike in lockdown kept on passing sloes when walking with his 5 year old daughter
Decided to pick them
They have been in the gin for ages
Not just with neutral spirit actually Big 7 gin
At 28 percent
Very clear colour
Put through filter to make sure that no residue from Sloes

What prompted you to re-brand rather than going with existing label and website ?

Always the plan
Label meant to be classic and to the best of their ability
Re-branding on the cards and needs to be done at the right time.
Re-branding early on not ideal but price worth paying if can only do well but can only be once
Pull on strings of those people that already know

How would you describe the brand ?

Two sides Charles & Mike Distilling and Big Seven
Original idea just to distill spirit. Want to eventually have beer / Mezcal / other spirits
Currently it seems as though they are a gin only brand
As they have traction they will continue down this road but do eventually want to get back to distilling other things
Can get access to them
https://www.charlesandmike.com
https://www.bigsevengin.com
Big 7 is now a brand in it’s own right

What does the brand mean to you ?

To Mike, his baby. The one they love and nurture until it leaves home
From Charlie it has been a massive learning experience. Humbling to start from the beginning
Really like to see what the brand is becoming

What is next for the brand ?

Big things
Quite a lot of interest in the gin itself
Need to make sure have the right licences to supply and have the correct amount of stocks
Next will get a licence to allow into wholesales
Have wonderful sales manager Vicki who will be spearheading this approach as she has a lot of experience in the industry
New flavours coming. Blackberry is scheduled for next year
Most important in new flavours is what complements the gin
Lots of ideas for limited editions with vodka and cognac

How can people getting in contact ?

What is your favourite gin other thank your own and how would you serve it ?

Charlies favourite is Warners Rhubarb
Run by Tom Warner, who is a legend
Would serve with ginger ale
Mike The English Spirit Dr J’s Gin, Use Macadamia nuts
Gives amazing flavour for gin
Also use for base for Lemon gin
Serve with a normal tonic not a light one
Half measure of tonic

What does gin mean to you ?

Hard one for Charlie but extension to love affair currently going through with spirits.
Only started to appreciate spirit within last 5 years
Likes Whiskey but not very social there is a time and place to have it
With gin get the best of both worlds can drink high quality spirit with great depth of flavours and this can also be a long drink. Gin is no1 social drink
For Mike gin is absolute madness. So many gins on market and so many different variations. People that you meet all the way are amazing. Crazy world
Bought triple pack of The Edge Gin
Amazing backdrop to gin

Instagram Community Shout Out

Maxine from @thetealbar
I love your Christmas Countdown post with your great post of part of your gin collection. I can see the Whitley Neil shelf and also see Mermaid Gin, both versions and Martin Miller to name a few.
I also liked your post on Aintree gin. I love the blue colour of blueberry blast and the juniper berries and a couple of other goodies which I am not sure what they are.
I also love your other post of Aintree Gin Kiwi fruit. I can’t believe the colour of that one either a light green. It is also impressive that it has 15 botanicals. Love the serve with a couple of Kiwis
I really liked November’s craft gin club with the Cape Town inspired backdrop. Really think the picture is sensational. I had not liked it for some reason because it got lost in my feed and not commented. Now rectified.
I really loved the @crayshaw post of their orange zest gin and the miniatures. Loved the picture and loved the glass that came with it all from Hensol Castle Distillery
Loved your Strawberry Laces gin from Asda and your display.
Always love your displays at the Teal Bar and love the colour and the way you present the gins.
Keep it up.
I will be adding you to my stories all week.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 27 - Tammy Jackson from @forcocktailsake

Ben Hampson — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 27

Collaboration

It was lovely to see that Kate from Sip and Share and Brit from The Botanical Trading Company were getting together for some sensational offers.

The Botanical Trading Company

This months bottle is Lind & Lime gin from Port Leith Distillery
Lovely Lime based gin. I tried in a Tom Collins over the weekend and it was lovely.

Christmas

Please support your local or favourite distilleries. Mine are growing by the day !!
Stockport Gin - their lockdown boxes are amazing as well as their gin filled baubles
The Edge Gin - great offers for their gins as well as liqueurs, glasses and chocolates. Lockdown 2 offer and Free Shipping over £40
Pitwheel Distillery - new Orange and Ginger gin as well as all their old favourites
The Gower Gin Company - GŴYR Six Pack - 6 of their gins all in one box, Sloe Gin and festive 3 (Sloe Gin, Bara Brith and Pinwydd)
Massingberd-Mundy get a £10 voucher back

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Weekly Gin Recommendation - Lava Spirits Coffee Gin

I take one sip and I am in Florence in Tuscany.
I have just come across the bridge as the sun is setting and settled down in a nice cafe in the city.
There is lots of hustle and bustle but I am I am having this gin and savouring a moment.
The nose of this gin is initially a London Dry but very soon the aroma turns to coffee.
The coffee is just so naturally sweet and I have not tasted coffee flavour like this since I last visited Small Batch in Worthing @sbcrworthing.
The flavour profile starts with a smooth coffee taste which then goes to a sweeter coffee flavour.
This is followed by juniper on your palette and then finally a resurgence of coffee.
I cannot believe how two strong flavours like juniper and coffee can be fused together and that this only took 18 months.
The fusion of these two flavours is magnificent and quite simply is a feat of taste engineering.
I paired this with a Mediterranean tonic to test it as a long serve.
Given the flavour profile I should have probably broken with testing protocol and gone with one of Coca Cola’s dark spirit mixers as Laura suggested.
The possibilities of this drink really lie with mixologists in my opinion. Obvious choices are an espresso martini but I think this would be a fantastic addition to most cocktails given the unique flavour profile.
I am not surprised this gin has already one an award and given it’s uniqueness I think it maybe destined for many more.
Congratulation Laura for sticking to your artisan ways, listening to your friends and for creating Lava Spirits. Mixologist all over the world are thanking you for a new unique flavour to add to their creations

Tammy Jackson From @forCocktailSake

What made you want to setup Tammy Jackson HQ ?

Way too much business travel
Social media up and coming
Started working on social media for her mothers beauty salons

What did a typical day look like ?

Contents planning week or month ahead
Ran workshops for women networking group
Started with Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and then Instagram

What makes an Instagram account different ?

Inject your own personality
Base on you because you are unique
Network with like minded people

What makes a good post ?

One day will post something that spent ages on and does not do well
Sometimes just spend less time and send something out and it blows up with loads of likes, shares and comments
It can be a gamble.
Always go back to why did you start your account ?
What do you followers like ?

How would you bring more personality ?

Share or showcase something that is personal to you
Bring your persona to it and the look and feel of who you are.
Make you more relateable
Consistency is key
Followers need to know what to expect on Instagram
Always beautifully styled
Tammy tries to post everyday and sometimes takes time off.
Not volume.
Quality over quantity

Distilleries

How can a distillery differentiate from the competion ?

Find something unique to your brand.
Should have USP
Build transparency
Show behind the scenes
Tell a story
Thats when you find your key buyers
Thats how you get their attention
Makes personable. Not just product on shelf

How would you introduce a new gin ?

Use teasers
Brentingby Gin are doing limited editions with artists
Gain engagement
Build anticipation and excitement

What is the best way to show behind the scenes ?

Taking highlights of the day
Any changes such as changing still. Ask people to name new still
Meeting the team - Duck and Crutch gin are good examples

Other key strategies

Giveaway every so often
Taking some good photos. Good photos are a important
Need to present and transparent
Important to connect. Finding your client and talk to them on Instagram.

How did for @forcocktailsake come about ?

Love writing and social media
With illness struggled string sentance together
Try and retrain brain to write a blog
Wanted something short and succinct
Thought about interests health and fashion but meant keeping up with trends.
Also enjoys food but difficult as in family of 4 all with different dietary requirements
Remembered back to entertaining.
Always create cocktail when guests arrive.
Could share this.

How did you come in the name ?

Tongue in cheek
Bourne out of frustration

What does the brand represent ?

Healing journey
Creative outlet
Something positive
Went down cocktails because simple.
Helped her learn and grow

How did the lives start ?

Bourne out of lockdown
Needed more video content from mix and match and @forcocktailsake
Choosing Paul to do it made sense as he is a professional bar person.
He is the professional and Tammy is the home bartender.
Paul also does recipe development for brands and bars
It was nice that they both had company

What factors would you take into consideration when choosing a gin ?

Need to sip it neat
If it works in a Martini a very good idea
Has to be juniper led
Like the gin to stand up against other ingredients
Prefer to be more citrus based but do also like Coastal and Savoury gins
Ben mentioned The Edge L’Orange gin. Very subtle orange based taste right the way through the flavour profile.

How would you start cocktail making ?

Start with the basics
Good start is with a sour if not a cocktail person
Start experimenting with different syrups and infusions
When Tammy is feeling uninspired she always goes back to basics.

How do you source spirits ?

Very fortunate that a lot of brands allow to try out products
Broad understanding of base sprits
Excited about Starlino brand especially as it comes from Malfy gin

How did you come up with the negroni in a recent live ?

Started with base spirit and looked at botanicals
For example jaisalmergin has tea botanicals so this is why infused with Butterly peas flow tea and Lemon rind.
Campari worked with cardamon pods and the Starlino Rosso infused with marinated figs.
A lot of food inspiration.

How can you changes these cocktails ?

Negroni - how would make it less dry ?
Swap out with Aperol
Campari infusion with strawberry or muddle them
Martini Cocktails - what are your favourite recipes ?
London dry juniper led gin
Dolin Vermouth, Starlino Vermouth, Londinio Vermouth
Dirty martini
Singapore Sling - how would you make it better ?
If used something like Brockmans instead of a normal gin.
Splash of pineapple juice complements those flavours
Clover Club - how could you remove the lime element ?
Go with grapefruit instead.
Always a good go to.

What is your creative process for designing a signature cocktail ?

Look at botanicals and what would complement those to enhanced and elevate those flavours
Juice, citrus or herbs or infusion. Ice cubes as well
Recipes that people will want now
Experiment with food to understand how to combine flavours

What should a company look for in a mixologist ?

Finding someone who’s style fits the brand
Finding someone who will take the time to get to know the product

How do you continue to be creative ?

Experiences from magazine, Instagram trend, fashion trend or TV
International days very good to showcase

How can people get in touch ?

@forcocktailsake on Instagram

What is your favourite gin and how would you serve it ?

Can’t say particular brand
Seasonality plays importance, mood, occasion
Juniper forward, London dry citrus, coastal or savoury
Serve as dirty martini

What does gin / spirits mean to you ?

Opportunity to create more than just a drink
Part of healing journey
Symbol of celebration - personally, sharing with friends, entertaining and Friday night after work with hubby.
Drink Aware importantance of Sipping a cocktail
Real positive

Instagram Community Shout Out

Cassia @ginqueen_kilpatrick
In week 4 you were my Instagram shoutout but last week I righted the wrongs with @girls_on_gin. Now I am writing the wrongs with you.
Why am I doing this ? You were the first real supporter of @ginignite and were the first to comment. I have never forgotten this.
Liked your post on Brentingby gin. Liked the sound of the pairing with Elderflower tonic although I am not sure about the tabasco !!
The Orange and Passionfruit Murphy’s gin post was interesting. I really like this but I think I prefer the Pomegranate and Kaffir Lime. Loved your serve ! You need to also try a breakfast martini !! Thank you for the steer towards this from Cheshire Mobile Bars
I really thought your 8 days a week post was inspired with the combination of Aviation gin, one I have yet to try, Aperol and St Germain Elderflower liqueur. Sounds very interesting.
Liked the addition of satsuma and basil to bring out the flavours of the Murphys Pomegranate and Kaffir lime. This is one I definitely need to try at some point.
Also enjoyed your review of Stanger and Sons from the Craft Gin club and the London Essence Co Blood Orange and Elderflower tonic. It was a really lovely serve. It is also such a lovely gin.
Thank you very much for you support of both the @ginignite account and the podcast.
I will be adding you to my stories all week.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 26 - Paul from Stockport Gin

Ben Hampson — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 26

The Only Way Is Gin

It was official on Monday 16th November 2020 the only way is gin gin went live
Premium in taste with an understated flamboyance.
9 natural botanicals are carefully selected to produce a smooth and sophisticated dry gin.
Exotic and sweet, first the aroma of orange blossom.
The fresh citrus burst.
Poppy seeds provide a long, lingering finish.
Serve with a slice of pink grapefruit to create the perfect gin and tonic.
Congratulations Nikki so pleased for you.

Christmas Gifts

Please support your local and favourite distilleries for Christmas.
Massingberd-Mundy - meet the family back £5 gets you their two sensation gins. Order one of the main gins and get a £10 voucher per order.
The Edge Gin has a lockdown offer at the moment lockdown2 and if you spend £40 or above get free shipping. Mulled Pear.
Pitwheel Distillery - orange and ginger gin sounds like a great winter warmer for the Christmas period
Otterbeck Distillery have got a few lovely gifts of coasters and glasses as well as their signature cotton gin and limited edition winter cotton gin
Stockport Gin - bauble selections are a back but stock is going fast and they have great lockdown bundles 3 gins for £100 or 4 gins and 8 tonics for £140
I'm so tempted by the The Gower Gin Company GŴYR Six Pack

Subscriptions

Gin To My Tonic

With so many Christmas markets cancelled the Gin To My Tonic are having a virtual GinMas on 4-6th December
Go to https://thegintomytonic.com/shop/virtual-christmas-market/ to find out more
It cost £10.00 or if you order GinMas 5cl samples then you can get admission free.

LAW Gin

If there is a UK distributor who wishes to bring LAW gin to the UK then please get in touch with me or with LAW gin directly.
It would be great to get this in the UK’s hands for Christmas !!

Cheshire Mobile Bars

Don’t want to shake your own cocktails on Christmas Day but you want extra special drink ? Why not checkout Cheshire Mobile Bars national cocktail delivery service. Proper professional bartender cocktails sent directly to your door !! Want to know more continue listening to this podcast.

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

The Gower Gin Company - Bara Brith Gin

The Gower Gin company are in my favourite part of Wales.
I think I am slightly biased given that I was born there and lived in that area for 4 years.
Bara Brith is a Welsh tea bread with dried fruit
The thing I like about the Gower Gin Company is their expertise in blending botanicals. Everything is seamless. For example their use of ginger adds heat and give you a gorgeous flavour but does overpower your palette like it does in so many other gins
The nose reminds me of Christmas time and that dried fruit smell you get from mixing up Christmas pudding but not as overpowering. The aroma is very subtle.
The flavour profile is very interesting when tasting it neat it starts with dry juniper taste followed by a sweetness which meanders into a bit of heat from the alcohol and the end of the profile is sweet.
The taste is a triumph. You get the ginger and spices and the tea stained fruit giving you the sense of eating Bara Brith bread. It is a unique taste which is hard to describe in words but one which I adore.
I tested with Mediterranean tonic and it was a very pleasant G&T. It would work really well with any standard light tonics. I would not pair it with Elderflower but I would consider an orange based tonic instead.
The smoothness of this gin would lend itself to be a dry martini and I would love to try it, albeit only on a cold winters day.
I think this would be a welcome addition too many cocktails.
This is a definite keeper and will be one I will be adding to the long list of gins that I want to buy and one that I would thoroughly recommend if nothing else that it is so different from other gins that I own.

Paul from Stockport Gin

What were you both doing before March 2019 ?

Paul worked for a large architectural practice in Manchester since 2003
Cheryl worked in her own business doing hair extensions

What gave Cheryl the final push to go full time and for you to eventually go part time ?

Launched in March 2019
The demand in four weeks after launch for their original gins was such that it was not feasible to work in the day and make gin, label and bottle at night as well as look after two young children
Cheryl took the step first to go full time in the gin business
12 months ago Paul reduced his hours

You were both adamant that it was going to be called Stockport Gin. What were some of the other suggestions put to you ?

There was only one option for Paul and Cheryl and wanted to represent their town
Always love to try local gins when away but when came home there was no Stockport gin
You could get a local gin from Cheshire or Lancashire but there was no gin from Stockport
Paul and Cheryl had always said that someone should do a Stockport Gin but no one did. So they did !!
Other people said don’t call it Stockport because it will limit you
They knew that simply was not the case and they wanted to prove that person wrong
Ultimately people enjoy what is in the bottle and the story that is behind it
Important that the product in the bottle tells the story as well as the name on the front
Their gin is for their town
Not only promote themselves but also the town

You are craft gin enthusiasts. What attracts you to a particular craft gin ? Bottle ? Label ? What you have heard on social media ?

A bit of everything
Always love trying different things
Sometimes people spoken to pre-launch because they have asked for advice which Stockport Gin are always happy to give
Sometimes it is gins they have never heard of before
Not just the bottle, people behind them or the story behind them

When you taste a gin for the first time what do you look for ? Nose ? Taste ?

When tasting new gin like to try neat
Good quality gin always has a smoothness to it does not burn back of your throat like some more well known gins
Then neat with ice. Completely changes the taste and aroma
Then try distillers recommended serve

How did your love for craft gin influence your own gins ?

Always knew that gins that they always came back to were citrus based gins
Always knew that this was the style they would make
If made a gin that they really enjoyed then they could put all our passion into it and if it did not sell then they would have a supply for life !!
Always stuck to that with the rest of the gins
All gins citrus based
Tastes slightly changing and currently enjoying ones which are not citrus based
There is a gin out there for everyone

How did you start with your first gin ? In a baby still ? On the large 100L still ?

Started with a mini two litre copper pot still
Decided 8 botanicals wanted to use
Developed different recipes using different quantities of the 8 botanicals
Made 5 variants
Took to local gin bar and had blind taste test
The one chosen was the first variant made
The first variant is the one you drink

Where do you distill ?

Converted the garage into a small, humble distillery
Bottle and hand label in there too

How do you distill ?

Buy in neutral grain spirit at 96% ABV
That goes in the still and gets watered down
Put 5 of 8 botanical in the still if making original gin
Normally filled the night before
Another 3 botanicals in gin basket which vapour infused
When vapour infuse citrus much lighter and smoother gin
Spirit comes out and goes into containers like milk churns
Tested for alcoholic strength. Normally 80% ABV
Normally sit for a day or two then blended to bottling strength 40% ABV
Now use reverse osmosis machine partly cost and partly environmental as before had 25 litre water containers that not able to recycle or return to the supplier
Try and be as eco friendly as possible so try not to use single use plastics

You have such a playful brand and this reflected in the products you offer. How did you come up with gin baubles and tell me what you have learnt since last year ?

Buy a lot more than you think
Bought a few in 2019 to try and went to one market and sold everything in 2 hours
Then tried to get more but only got 2 weeks before Christmas
In 2020 ordered in advance. Now fancier, shinier new labels. Much more stock than last year
At the moment stock levels are ok but they are really popular
All screw caps so can buy and refill !!

You also have really thought about lockdown 2. What are the offers you have ?

This time felt different so wanted to put an offer on
Lockdown bundle - get 3 bottle for £100
MEGA Lockdown bundle - get 4 bottles and 8 tonics for £140

Taster edition ? What was the reason to partner with double dutch ?

Double dutch are really good at helping and supporting small brands and distilleries
Started using about 12 months ago
Give good help and Stockport Gin promote
Have a load of good mixers as well as tonics

Mug with Wish this was Stockport Gin on it. How did that come about ?

Don’t take ourselves too seriously
Two normal people that happen to make gins and also the same two that come to markets. Face of the brand
Important to have relationship with people who see and relate to us
First impressions count
Very well received that honest and down to earth
Someone once told us don’t ever put yourself to the front but concentrate on showing a lifestyle rather than showing yourself
They ignored this advice and like people to see them for what they are just two people that make gin
For example Paul took over social media to tell people it was Cheryls 40th birthday. Loads of responses back
Took a while to find their feet but now know who they are, what they are and where they want to take it

Talk to me about the Original Edition ? How would describe it ? How would you serve it ?

Citrus forward London Dry Gin - juniper, coriander, orris root, cardamom & cubeb for warmth, lemon peel and orange peel give it a citrus smoothness.
All Stockport gins have signature botanical pine needles which is foraged from a pine forest on their doorstep in Stockport
Stockport not just the name on the bottle but also in the bottle with the signature botanical pine needles
Nice sipping gin over ice
Paired with a premium Indian tonic like Double Dutch or equivalent
Lots of ice with wedge of lemon or orange

Talk to me about the Twist of Lime Edition ? How would describe it ? How would you serve it ? (Awards)

Evolved over time
Huge project in Stockport after they had launched to promote the town
The project saw how popular the brand had become and approached by the project to buy gin
They wanted to buy original gin and re-label it
Stockport Gin not happy about that because very honest so decided to make a special gin instead
Whole project based around 19 frogs and called the giant leap.
Frogs were 5 - 6 ft tall and sponsored by local company and then painted by 19 local artists
Idea that brought everyone into Stockport and follow a map to find 19 frogs and see parts of the town that would not normally see
Really good idea
Commissioned to make a gin and decided to use lime
Very difficult to source dried lime peel so made with fresh lime peel instead. Bought a load of limes and peeled them themselves.
What came out was a really citrus, zesty, lime gin
Over 3 - 4 months produced 3 batches
In October holding auction to sell off frogs
All money went to charity
Asked to come down and sell bottles of the gin. So gave some money to charity but the problem was they had no gin
Local bars and restaurants were also selling the gin
Made one more batch to sell at the October event and to re-stock the bars
People who love a really dry gin always came back to this one
Always known as Twist of Lime gin
So beginning of this year decided to make it permanent and call Twist of Lime edition
Could not drink as sipping gin
In gin and tonic is amazing
Premium tonic, ice and wedge of lime
Also makes a really good gimlet cocktail
Peels go in still and juice used to make cocktails
Gin mojito a possibility soon

Talk to me about the Pink Edition ? How would describe it ? How would you serve it ? (Awards)

After launch the biggest question asked was do you do a pink gin ?
Pink gin is very popular. Paul and Cheryl have never really been fans because generally the ones on the market are either full of sugar or too full of flavour
Decided to take original gin and then post infuse after distillation with raspberry, strawberries and pomegranate
Cheryl calls it a ginny gin
Won the flavoured gin category in The Gin Guide Awards
Works much better with a light tonic rather than an Indian tonic as a G&T
Works well in fizz. Put 25ml or less in a glass, add your favourite fizz and then top with a strawberry
Also works well in a negroni and gives a different take.
Not quite as sharp and punch when add a normal London dry

Talk to me about the Pink Grapefruit and Pink Perppercorn Edition ? How would describe it ? How would you serve it ? (Awards)

First launched this time last year. Launched 6 different flavoured gins and 6 different labels by local artists
Showcases local area and different buildings
Whichever proved most popular would probably become a regular edition
Difference is actually distill with pink grapefruit and pink peppercorns. Infuse more pink grapefruit afterwards
Get fresh taste of pink grapefruit first and then the final taste is warmth of the pink peppercorns.
Serve with an Indian tonic, plenty of ice and pink grapefruit or slice or orange

How did the sustainable edition come about ?

When we first launched knocked on as many doors as they can
Knocked a few times on Selfridges door
In day job Paul was in London and offered to pop in with bottle
Buyer got back and said yes come in at 16:00 . Paul did not see the e-mail.
The next thing he knew Cheryl was booking a ticket to London !
Buyer tasted the gin and decided to stock The Original edition
Also had a conversation about making a gin exclusively for Selfridges
12 months ago got in touch and said would you fancy doing something exclusive
Jumped at chance
Selfridges very much in sustainability and wanted to find some waste products in their store that could be used for the gin
Paul went in and talked to staff, waiters, bar managers and chefs in the Manchester store
Best candidate was the orange juicing machine. Orange peels discarded at the end of the day
Take the orange peels away and make and orange citrus gin
Found a specialist supplier who could produce a biodegradable label and adhesive
Use recycled glass bottle
Also completed carbon footprint study with Selfridges
Worked out how many journeys would make on normal gin run compare to sustainable edition where goes to one place rather than a number of stockists and retail customers.
Carbon footprint hugely reduced
Post first lockdown came back and said were only able to take third of batch. Came to agreement that Stockport Gin can retail gin but at their price point

How have you been affected with Covid and the markets ?

Biggest impact hospitality industry been closed pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes
Luckily have really good local stockists
Order disappeared overnight with hospitality
On flip side online sales increased certainly in lockdown 1
Did online taster nights in lockdown 1
In lockdown 2 offering bundles
Biggest impact is events
No gin festival this year
Are doing Gin To My Tonics Ginmas festival

Where next for the brand ?

Difficult because know what the brand is and what people love about the...

Episode 25 - Harry and Victoria from Cheshire Mobile Bars

Ben Hampson — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 25

Christmas Gifts

Please support your local distilleries for Christmas.
There are so many lovely Christmas ideas. I'm so tempted by the The Gower Gin Company GŴYR Six Pack
Stockport Gin - bauble selections are a back and they have great lockdown bundles
Don’t want to shake your own cocktails on Christmas Day but you want extra special drink ? Why not checkout Cheshire Mobile Bars national cocktail delivery service. Proper professional bartender cocktails sent directly to your door !! Want to know more continue listening to this podcast.
I also got sent a gift from a friend for my birthday coming up next week @murphysgin. I posted about it in the week. The flavours sound amazing original, orange and passionfruit and pomegranate and kaffir lime.

Subscriptions

Gin To My Tonic

With so many Christmas markets cancelled the Gin To My Tonic are having a virtual GinMas on 4-6th December
Go to https://thegintomytonic.com/shop/virtual-christmas-market/ to find out more
It cost £10.00 or if you order GinMas 5cl samples then you can get admission free.

The Only Way Is Gin

If you sign up to her e-mail list then you can get 10% over the weekend.
It will be officially available on Monday 16th November.
Congratulations Nikki so please for you.

LAW Gin

Thank you for joining me last week. I really enjoyed it. You have also made a deep impression on me.
Your gin should be the go to for Dirty Martini. It is made for it !!!
If there is a UK distributor who wishes to bring LAW gin to the UK then please get in touch with me or with LAW gin directly.
It would be great to get this in the UK’s hands for Christmas !!!

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

The Edge Gin - London Dry

This has been on my recommendation list for a long time. For some reason it slipped through but not this week.
As you know Merlin the wizard from Alderley Edge get on very well although we are missing each other in lockdown as he has been forbidden to allow me to apparate to his thatch.
We are able to talk on the Wizard Gin Network but like Zoom it is not the same as meeting in person.
The nose of this gin resembles that of a familiar London Dry although there is something magical about it which you don’t get till you taste it
On tasting it neat you get a very smooth London Dry Gin with the dryness up front followed with a sweet finish.
When I spoke to Clare about this she said this is the Goji beans that are added.
I have bought the Pear and L’Orange gin and this one is next on my list
I paired this with a mediterranean tonic and it made a fabulous G&T. I believe that you could pair this with any standard premium light tonic or Elderflower
I am desperate to buy this gin so that I can try it as a dry martini and would love to try it as the base of cocktails to make with Merlin.
If you want a solid London Dry Gin with a unique sweet finish this is the one for you and one which will very soon have a proud place on my gin shelf.

Harry and Victoria from Cheshire Mobile Bars

What made you setup Cheshire Mobile Bars ?

Lot of room from growth in the events industry
Lot of people trying to get into the industry but did not really know enough and did not have the knowledge and training
Saw gap in the market to provide a proper quality bar with the knowledge of the industry to back it up

How do the roles in the business work ?

Victoria does the finance and marketing, looking after customers putting together quotes etc
Harry does the creative side and has the knowledge behind drinks menus and drinks

If you were to go back back to 2 years ago and give yourself advice what would it be ?

Go for it quicker
Did not push it much
The appetite is out there for the services
Covid opened up more opportunities that people want to have parties at home
Grown organically
Differentiate a little

What equipment do you need to start cocktail making ?

Shaker boston shaker / old style shaker
Strainer
Bar Spoon
Mixing Glass

Whats the best way to start making cocktails ?

Start with core spirit
Think about what kind of drink you want ? e.g. short, martini, or summer drink
Citrus, juices, fresh fruit
A lot of recipes online
Remember cocktails are designed to be fun

How do you garnish a cocktail ?

Curling lemon peel. Wrap around straw
Something like Mojito go big or go home icing sugar, lots of mint, edible flowers
Pay homage to the classics e.g. dirty martini then only should have 1 olive on a cocktail stick

What inspires you personally ?

Comes from food. Understand how flavour profiles work
For example if someone came in and said I would like a cocktail that tasted that like a roast dinner.
Think about meaty style whiskey, apple liqueurs etc
Important to get the balance of the cocktail right.

How would you describe your creative process ?

Find what they like and don’t like
What they don’t like is very important
Where do they go on holiday ? Caribbean then probably like rum but which rum dark, light, spiced etc
Bartending is about hosting. It is a relationship between bartender and customer

How would you make a classic G&T ?

Want to make sure that either gin or the tonic is the stronger flavour
e.g. if you asked for hibiscus tonic would need to pair with London Dry because hibiscus is very strong
Don’t want the flavours to fight

What makes your master class different ?

Harry makes the master class different
A lot of companies offer but don’t know what it entails
Don’t want a printed out worksheet or name that garnish game
Want a masterclass in it a true form
Cheshire Mobile Bars start with a recipe that have been pre-agreed with a customer. No set menu
Everything is built around the customer
Want to know that if ask Harry a question he will know the answer
Important to understand who the client is and what their level of experience is
Understand how involved they want to be
Understand what the host wants
Quite often it is the people that don’t want to go that are the most enthusiastic

How do you cope with someone who is too enthusiastic and wants to create a cocktail of their own ?

Breath of fresh air to find someone as passionate as Harry is
Harry would talk to you about things happened in the past
In my case would get me to try a breakfast martini - gin, sweet vermouth, lemon and marmalade
Variations are the difference between the cocktails
Classics are the classics which have stood the test of time
Mixology can be quite prohibitive. Can make cocktail bartending out to be something that is quite elite and out of the reach of a lot people
Discourages people from having a go.
Cheshire Mobile Bar try and take this perception away. Try and make open for everyone
Plenty of bartenders make what they want
Authentic bartenders that know their craft. Some people pretend they know they’re craft and make it elite
Give a bit of different experience
Can run masterclass over zoom and don’t need to be there.
Family business

What make you different to other mobile bars ?

Lot of companies that are bar hire companies
The bar hire is secondary to creating experience with customers
When driving van away and the customer is happy with the experience gives Harry and Victoria a really good feeling
Cheshire Mobile Bars build the menu around the customer
40th birthday party for example. Supposed to be going to Jamaica so designed a series of rum based cocktails
Getting the bar experience. You can sit at the bar in your home.
One customer said how nice is it to sit at a bar again but not having to jostle past everyone.
This is another option and you can have your own bar experience

If money were no object how can Cheshire Mobile Bars switch it up ?

Do decorations, flower panels, balloon arches, event dresses, light up numbers etc
Give a theme and they will design it
Also can do master class

How did you come up with the idea Cocktail delivery ?

During lockdown part 1 Harry got carried away with making up too many cocktails and made quite a big batch
Put in a bottle and put in the fridge
A lot of people can make cocktails but perhaps can’t be bothered
Some people don’t want to go out and buy the ingredients
Can’t take the bar to you but can take the cocktails to you
Lot of bars doing it locally but difference is nationwide
Proper bartender cocktail mixed
The cocktails range from Christmas cocktails like Egg Nog to Pornstar martinis to Long Island Ice Tea

How long will they last for ?

Last for 2 weeks in the fridge
Sealed
Chill it, shake it and serve it
If you want something off menu then you can get something off menu

How much does it cost ?

Either £6 or £7 per serve + £3.99 shipping
Good value for a very good cocktail

Bulk Purchase Option ?

Get in touch if you would like something in bulk or something different

How would describe the Cheshire Mobile Bar Brand ?

Name borne out of the private parties in Cheshire
Black and Gold colours show quality
Reasonable prices not cheap
At the core is family company which is the standard of customer service
Proud of the brand
If don’t provide a good service then people won't come back
Value customers
Treat your family as your family party

Where will the brand goes next ?

The bread and butter of the business is the parties
The bottled cocktails attempt to insure the business survives
Keeping the business in the public eye
If works will keep it in the business plan
If love having cocktails at a party they can do so without breaking the bank because don’t need
The future of the business is not set in stone
Building the business slowly
Taking one step at a time
Make sure do it properly and in the right way
You could order some cocktails before you plan a party to try before you buy.

How can people get in touch ?

What is your favourite gin and how would you serve it ?

Depend on mood
Solid G&T go with a Beefeater or Plymouth Gin with plain tonic
If wants to be extravagant would choose Monkey 47 with grapefruit tonic
Victoria would go with one of those but is also quite partial to a pink gin
If wants a cocktail then would go Gimlet or Gin Martini

What does gin mean to you ?

That has changed over the last 10 years
Gin was something served in any glass, gin at the bottom, ice, tonic and slice of lemon
Such a variation of gin
Gin liqueurs
Gin shows expansion of gin industry
Lot of people don’t like gin and tonic because done as classic way it has been served. Now so many other options.
People are spending more on better quality
Pleased that Sipsmith challenge the literage in which gin had to be produced. Was 5000 litre batches but this has now been significantly reduce which opened the chance for small batch distilleries.

Instagram Community Shout Out

@ahnahdrinks

Hannah I was so pleased to see your post on Sunday. It was a great day for #equality and you also looked very cute with your friends dog Miki.
It sounds a bit wrong but I really enjoyed your Hankey Panky post. Whats not to like gin and vermouth with orange twist and two dashes of Fernet Branca (an Italian bitter)
I also like your post on the special lemonade you made your aspartame free of course. Interesting flavours honey, lemon, gin, blue pea flower and soda water. Sounds a great cold cure to me. I normally use rum but I guess I could dig out a non-craft gin and try it when I am feeling I need a bit of a pick me up
I really loved your alternative Negroni from @cocktailpete with Gin, vermouth, campari, coffee liquor and amaretto! Might need to replaced the Campari with Aperol but definitely one to try !! I have also started to follow @cocktailpete as well. Some of the cocktails on there look magnificent.
Finally I really loved your session at @artandbonding. It looked so much fun although I could imagine a lot going wrong if the drinking got out of hand !! The pictures looked really good too.
Keep up the posts and so pleased that #equality is starting to move forward all be it a small bit at a time. Everyone should be able to have their own opinions and beliefs respected.
Thank you very much for supporting ginignite and the podcast and I will be including you in my stories all week.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 24 - Luna and Alexander from LAW Gin

Ben Hampson — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 24

Christmas

Please support your local distilleries for Christmas. Would it not be nice to buy a little gift.
There are so many distilleries to choose from.
Maybe you also want to get into the Christmas spirits
What about The Edge Gin Mulled Pear ?
Or the Pitwheel Distillery oak aged Orange and Ginger ?

The Botanical Trading Company

It was really nice to talk to Brit last week about her new subscription service
I really love the fact that she uses shipping packaging which is 100% recyclable and biodegradeable
I also love the fairness and the trade with the distiller who gets showcased for a month as well as getting a fair trade price for their gin
So much so that I have decided that I can’t justify two gin subscriptions and that based on the environmental impact and the fairness to the distiller I am stopping my craft gin club membership and moving to The Botanical Trading Company

The Gin To My Tonic

With so many Christmas markets cancelled the Gin To My Tonic are having a virtual GinMas on 4-6th December
Go to https://thegintomytonic.com/shop/virtual-christmas-market/ to find out more
It cost £10.00 or if you order GinMas 5cl samples then you can get admission free.

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Massingberd Mundy - Marie Jeanne

Their second gin is named after Marie-Jeanne Rapigeon of Versailles.
She was bold, beautiful and brought Parisian elegence to the Lincolnshire Wolds.
So I was slightly concerned that I had been gifted a gin which had to live up to the reputation of 400 years of the Massingberd-Mundy estate, be as good as Burrell’s gin and resonate a bit of Parisien glamour.
Nose - the nose has a freshness to it and an undertone of berries and an earthy aroma, which I have to admit I asked Tristan to help me with, it was the Cassia Bark and the Orris Root.
The flavour profile is stunning. It starts with a juniper dryness then builds to a fruity sweetness before the heat of the alcohol takes over then a burst of the berries and then fades to a similar juniper dryness again. The after taste is dry but still with the berry undertones.
Add tonic to it and it becomes even more alive. The tonic seems to accentuate the berry taste. Like the Burrell’s there is definitely a dry finish but the berry element is where it really stands out for me.
I used a Mediterranean tonic but this would work with any light tonic standard or Elderflower.
This is great as dry martini especially with a bit of Starlino Rosso Vermouth
I think this would be great in cocktails especially those that are berry based or Prosecco based !!! I would steer clear of other bold flavours though unless they support the existing botanicals.
If I had to choose between Marie-Jeanne and Burrells this would be my choice.

Luna and Alexander from LAW Gin

Ibiza

Ibiza is very special. Has a special energy
All the owners of LAW gin are hooked on Ibiza
Everyone falls in love with something on Ibiza. It might be the music, it might be the landscape.
If you come to Ibiza you can be whatever you dream of does not matter who you are but there is one rule or unwritten law you must tolerate everyone else. Everyone has this right.
This spirit of the island still exists

How did everyone end up on Ibiza ?

None of them wanted to the island apart from Dirk
Dirk came first on to the island in 1981 as a tourist
Luna came to the island in 1990 as a tourist
Alexander arrived in 1999 as a director of a television crew
Luna and Alexander stayed in the same hotel and they eventually got married in Ibiza and moved permanently in 2006
Wolfgang came with a partner in 2001.
All fell in love with the island

What influenced the flavours in LAW gin ?

It should be Ibiza, Ibiza, Ibiza
Wanted to get lemons, oranges and prickly pear
Also tried wood and almonds but they did not work
First trials were very bad
Venetian juniper grows on Ibiza. Thought going to be base of gin. It is a bit soapy. Still use it but with classic juniper
The gin was initially produced for four friends so produced for their favourite flavours
Also because it was a personal project they wanted to use the best of the best
Did not think about commercial side of things. If they did they would not use prickly pears !!
Huge lemons the size of a childs head. Use fresh peel in the gin
Also use Pimento de Padron but the peppers come from Padron on the mainland.
They wanted to use because Pimento de Padron is served as tapas with olive oil and salt
Met twice a week

German Distributor

One of the serves of the LAW gin and tonic is to half the pimento de patron and add this as a garnish with some lemon
About 1 out 10 of these peppers is really spicy
The German distributor they were selling to happened to get the spicy one !!!
They call this the Spanish roulette.
Luna congratulated him and said you are now the pirate
He was very proud to be the pirate and ever since then this serving has been called the pirate
He is still their distributor

Bottle

Distinctive glass lid and place for your thumb
Label took nearly as long as developing the gin
Gin is quite modern but is distilled in a very traditional way
Label is the link between traditional and modern
Classic pharmacy bottle and the label has a modern typeface with the traditional flowers
Has a place for the thumb which looks like a mountain which is like the magic rock 10 km of the Ibiza coast called Es Vedra. The label is divided into two so you can see this. It also creates a purple hue like magic
The neck of the bottle tapers out so it is easy to pour with.
Secret ingredient on the label but the last one is hidden. Amor - love. Not allowed to put on the bottle because it is not a physical ingredient

Perfect Serves

Try it neat. Wanted to have a gin you could have neat
Wanted to make sure that the nose is not like other gins and gives you the smell of Ibiza
Wanted to get the locals to accept the gin
Old farmer tried their gin and it brought so many memories.
They have won several awards but the older farmers comments were the best award
El Classico server with four juniper berries slightly squeezed and lime
5cl of LAW gin and premium tonic in a Copa glass full of ice
Bikini 4cl LAW Gin slim or light tonic, four halved raspberries and 3 - 4 basil leaves. Clap the basil to get the aroma
Very playful gin
Ben would like to try with a dirty martini

Where do you distill the gin ?

Had to go to industrial area for licence
First distillery to get a licence in 80 years
Took 2 years to get licence
Had 2 years to work out how to commercialise the gin
Distill in an Alembic still which originated from a Moorish design from the middle ages
They are medieval instruments. No meters on it to work out pressure etc
Wanted to do this because it is traditional
Bought a 50 litre Alembic still called Alma (Spanish word for soul)
Realised too small and no still commercially produced
Found a winery on the mainland that showed them how to use the Alembic
Seal with wood ashes and mix with water and seal the top
Have to use all your senses to work out how to adjust the recipe on the fly to make sure tastes the same
All the botanicals come out like pearls on a string. The citrus notes come first. Always lemon and then orange followed by the other botanicals.
Have to rebuild recipes each time.
Adjust the heat to influence the aroma
Had blacksmith build an Alembic 250 litre still. Called Bertha
Half a year later too small. Blacksmith made another. This is 650 litres but ordered 750 litres but handmade. This is Clara
Now have 1000 litre still but not used as arrived about the same time as Covid

How did LAW gin come about ?

Two meanings
LAW Luna, Alexander and Wolfgang
Also represents the LAW of Ibiza i.e. the law of tolerance
Good link to the island
How would you describe the brand ?
Feeling that you create in the people that consume your product
Expression of love of Ibiza and the love of gin
Tolerance from the island
Enjoyment high quality product
Not just commercial it is Ibiza, law of tolerance and all the founders rolled into one.

Botanicals

Venetian juniper and classic juniper
Lemon and oranges
Prickly pears are very difficult to harvest.
Pimento de padron - peppers
Spanish cucumber
Sea salt for sea breeze in the bottle
Coriander
Cardomen pods
Orris root
St Raphael water
Amor (love)
How have you coped with Covid
Tough times
Hand crafted, small craft gin. Selling to restaurant and tourists
Also export to Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland but they are having the same issues
Trying to be creative

Currently you are not distributed in the UK but what would you say to a UK distributer ?

LAW gin is different.
Inherited marketing story
Gin of Ibiza is a link for everyone
LAW is not a gin it is a lifestyle
Pure bottled sunshine
Authentic story
Picture of what they think of Ibiza when they taste the gin

What’s next for LAW ?

No new flavours
Aged gin in sherry barrels
Would like to make liqueurs potentially like Pernod etc

Get in touch

What is your favourite gin other than your own and how would you serve it ?

English gin Martin Miller. Alex met Martin Miller before he died. Important to put in the ice with dirty hands
German gin Berlin Brandstifter
Spanish gin LAW !!

What does gin mean to you ?

Life
Do everything yourself such as social media
Luna has to a business person which in Spain is quite challenging
Favourite spirit is gin
Alex dreamed to have his own gin and tonic room when he grew up and now he has his own gin company
Gin is so different and there are so many brands out there and so many varieties

Instagram Community Shout Out @ginderella2020

Natalie - amateur gin lover, professional gin aholic in Essex. Taking over the world one gin at a time
Like your post on York gin and the picking out of the cat branding for your love of cats and to start off halloween
I like your post on Masons Dry Yorkshire Gin Steve’s Apple edition. Love the pairing with @waltergregors Scottish raspberry tonic. That sounds divine
Love your post with Whitby The Demeter Edition gin which came with October’s craft gin box. Thought the presentation was really nice. Like the pumpkin and your inclusion of the calendar.
You definitely have penchants for the Scottish gin. Loved you Happy International Scottish gin days post. Always nice to see a lot gin that I have either not seen or kind of heard of.
Also like the eleven hour gin post. It is nice to see that £3 goes to the British legion. The gin sounds very interesting as well with ginger, lemon and poppy seeds.
Thank you very much for supporting ginignite and the podcast and I will be including you in my stories all week.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 23 - Brit Jones from The Botanical Trading Company

Ben Hampson — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 23

#nippleinatipple

Seen a lot of posts but would nice to see some more.
I finally did my posts. Still time to do one quickly before the end of the month.
Thank you to Bev @gin_meets_girl for setting this up

November

What is happening in November. If you have got anything that you are setting up other than Movember then drop me a line and let me know.

Kate @sipandshareuk

I had a lovely time with Kate last week. Please checkout her website and consider being a member to get some great discounts.
I have also been trying to think a bit more how I want people to feel this week in my posts. WIP.
I wish Kate all the luck with the halloween party on Saturday night.

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Weekly Gin Recommendation - The Gower Gin Company Rhosili

The only problem with buying gins for review sometimes they stay in a drawer
When they are flat packed they are even harder to find
I cannot believe I deprived myself of this gorgeous gin
Rhosili is such a beautiful part of the world and a place I absolutely adore.
The landscape is green and lush and the coastal paths are amazing.
So I imagine myself looking out towards the sea and I can see the worms head. Which is an island just off the coast which looks like a worms head.
I pour Rhosili into my glass
The nose of the gin reminds me of the freshness of the coast with undertones of lime
The flavour profile is dry initially with a burst of sweetness followed by lime taste which remains through the flavour profile then goes sweet. At 45% this is strong but you would not know it.
It is such a refreshing taste and even better when you add tonic.
For my test I paired with Mediterranean tonic but any light tonic would be fine.
I would love to try this as a dry martini
I am also dying to try this in a gin based Mojito
I was not expecting this to taste so fresh and so Moorish
It just had to be my weekly recommendation and definitely goes up the buying list.

Brit Jones from The Botanical Trading Company

How does Brit fit it all in ?

Brit works for a large high street bank
2 year old daughter, very busy, has ballet lessons, swimming lessons, likes the outdoors, arts and crafts and her best friend is their little dog
She fits The Botanical Trading Company into early mornings, weekends and evening after her daughter goes to bed.

How did you start journey with gin ?

Always been gin fan.
Started to love gin when became exposed to craft gin
Opportunity to meet small batch distillers.
Husband works in spirit industry and creates bespoke glass packaging
He started to speak to a lot of other distillers.

Why Gin ?

Gin is a bit more personal because family based distillers
There is a passion behind creation of gin
Interesting and inspirational
Exciting and fun

How do you enjoy gin ?

G&T kind of girl
Like to try all different flavours and garnishes
Love a cocktail but not good at making them
Husband is a gin sipper
Both Brit and her husband explore different ways of enjoying gin.

What kind of brands stand out for you ?

Everything small batch and craft
Likes things that stands out especially citrus and strong peppery flavours
If a gin brand you like brings out a new product likes to try those
Brand wise likes to stay open and try anything she can find
Looks at villages and towns across the country and tries to understand whether they have distilleries
Reaches out to those distilleries
The fun of trying them is a package between sampling the gin itself and knowing about the distillery
Distillers are incredibly talented
Do it in such a way that is small batch and personal
Something amazing when a distiller starts with something small and then grows their distillery
Like an artform and that’s what needs to be celebrated.

How can we support the industry ?

Exploring different flavours
Enjoy gins by widening palette
Pushing the boundaries and exploring where you can discover the distilleries
Get excited about it with those distilleries and share on social media and with your friends.
Support businesses that support small businesses and that’s how we help them grow
They will get more face time and grow
Exploring different flavours and supporting at the same as well as having an adventure yourself.

What would be my customer journey be like ?

Decide how you want to join us monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly
The Botanical Trading Company then searches on your behalf for some bespoke British craft gins.
They talk directly to the distillers or whoever they trade with to get information
Also there is an option to have a one off box called a One Time Adventure

When does everything get packaged up ?

On around 15th of month

When would you have to sign up by to get the next months box ?

What made you go 100% biodegradable and recyclable and for shipping packaging ?

Something that important to me.
Lots of waste packaging when you get something through the internet based marketplace
Sometimes you buy something like a light bulb within a box within a box within a box
Regular shipment boxes needed to be just the right size to protect the product.

What couriers do you use ?

Royal Mail Second Class Signed For get to destination within 3-5 days. Royal Mail reliable and trackable
Happy with the service
Reduce carbon footprint by having shipping on one day

What would I get in the October box for example ?

50cl or 70cl Craft Gin. In October it was Thunderflower Gin
Pre-sale sample Fireship Gin
Gin pins
Information postcard on distillery

How did you come up with the name ?

Spent so long thinking about name
Did not want to sound like a gin club
The Botanical Trading Company is a gin subscription service but important to represent that this is a trade involved.
Trade for the distiller because get best trade price but not diminishing their margins
Send out boxes to influencers so that the distiller gets publicity
Don’t overshadow their gin with other products

How long has the company being operating from ?

Incorporated early this year
Had to wait for licences because of Covid
Website in July and opened subscription 4 weeks later
Got 18 months of distillers lined up

How are you going to cope with growth ?

Always keep one single distiller.
If we exceed the amount that a distiller can produce then will give that distiller time to produce the right amount of bottles
We are a a premium brand and if gets to a point where we can’t get fulfilled any more subscriptions for that month then we won’t

How would you describe The Botanical Trading Company as a brand ?

Premium feel to what we are doing
Don’t want to cheapen anything to make achievable
Offering something that is different and a bit special
Add excitement of mystery of what could be coming
People want to be a part of
Hopefully will enjoy us as the work that Brit is putting in

What was the brand mean to you personally ?

Put loads of effort and time and energy over last 10-12 months
Hopefully people are intrigued and that people love what we are doing
Not necessarily how much come in the box it is the story behind it
Honoured to be a part of the gin community

Where are you going to go next ?

Highlife North ultimate Christmas Gift Guide for 2020.
Featured in Hampers and Subscriptions
Hundreds of lots of small British busienses on there
Important to uplift each one of them to get through this period
Lots of ideas
Grow subscription platform
Gift boxes
Expand website for platform for sale
Potentially make own gin
Possibilities are endless

Where can you contact ?

What is your favourite gin and how would you serve it ?

Can’t tell you what favourite gin is because it’s coming in November’s box
Lots of gin really into at the moment
Thunderflower Gin is definitely one of ultimate favourites
Feedback incredible and can’t recommend enough
Favourite serve fresh G&T.
Will be experimenting a bit more with warmer flavours and spices for the winter

What does gin mean to you ?

Big part of family life
Quite personal
Family for me
Husband works in and now I work in the industry
Want to start full time so that can put heart and soul into it
Together, family and Instagram community.
Feel part of one large gin family

Instagram Community Shout Out

My instagram shoutout this week is Alex @thecocktailvibe
The Gin Guide - recently White Lady cocktail with @highclerecastlegin, triple sec, egg white and lemon juice
Penrhos Apple and Elderflower Gin - G&T
Boodles Strawberry and Rhubarb Gin - Rhubarb Sour with egg white, lemon, sugar syrup and and angostura bitters
Gin sour - gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup, splash of egg white
Gin Rickey - 50ml gin, 25ml lime and 12.5ml sugar syrup, top up with soda water
A yawn is a silent scream for an expresso martini
Brunch the socially acceptable way to all day drinking
Dry martini ? What gin would you use ?

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 22 - Kate Carney from Sip and Share

Ben Hampson — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Welcome

Hello and Welcome to Episode 22

#nippleinatipple

Seen a lot of posts but would nice to see some more.
I appreciate that I have not yet but I do intend to very soon

Paul @theginguide

Great time with the legend that is Paul at The Gin Guide. Cannot wait till next year to hear all about the nominees for the awards

Review

Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Masons Dry Yorkshire Gin - Tea Edition

Got given this by a friend for helping them put up their children's trampoline.
So not sure that I would have chosen this.
Nose - traditional London Dry maybe with a vague sense of citrus
Flavour profile - Lemon zest followed by citrus heat followed by juniper at the back end
Lovely with a Mediterranean tonic. Would be great with light standard premium tonic. Think would also work with Elderflower. Delicate flavour.
Pretty smooth but not sure would work for me personally in a dry Martini.
You would have to be careful in cocktails. May work with a heavily lemon based cocktail possibly.
My recommendation for a lovely refreshing G&T.

Kate Carney from Sip and Share

What attracted you to marketing in the first place ?

Not attraction. In the blood since birth
Grew up in parents advertising and design agency
When at university marketing management just felt natural

Why change to small business / entrepreneurial ?

Had agency since 2011 and spent a lot of time travelling around country.
Decided after Nan passed away decided that wanted to stay close to home because young family and house in need of refurbishment
So Kate thought Where can have biggest impact ? Made choice to work with small business and base herself at home permanently.

What makes a social media account stand out ?

Be consistent
Different ways to be consistent
Same type of photos taken
Show off your personality and let world in
Being authentic. Connects you to people who are potential customers on a human level
The ability to be your true self

What do I want some to think, feel, say, do ?

You need to know how you want someone to feel first. Once you answer that question you can decide on how to put together the right photo / text etc
Marketing is not easy.
Being consistent is not easy in the context of how you want someone to feel and what you want someone to say behind your back.
If you are honest with those answers give you an understanding on the brand you want to create and the content you put out there.
This strategic stuff which shapes the brand is what Kate is all about

How can distilleries can stand out ?

Moving into and through not just showing a bottle.
Kate had a client who had coaches.
In order to showcase them on social media she said we can’t show coaches. We need to show lifestyle content showing people having a great time.
Can’t just take a picture of a bottle. Can’t rest at that.
Need to communicate the distilleries / brands personality so that encourages the potential for drinking that product
Looking for connectivity
Exciting stuff about building relationships
Some distillers are excited and want to explore lots of different ways of working.
Some distillers are not so keen.
Important for them to have a platform and give distillers permission to show off.
This is not for everyone
Need to be different. Could be:-
Showing off the messy distillery floor
Showing distillery tours
The important message is that you are letting people in
Building relationships and being authentic
No longer good enough to post a picture of a bottle and think done it
Reinforces your credibility.
Shows that you are not just drop shipping the gin at door.
Your brand distillery has personality
Dispel myth that business owners have to work certain way

Sip and Share

May 2020 - first time you could drive somewhere
A marketing client of Kate dropped off 4 gins and vodka and asked if she could taste
She joked should she do this to camera. Her client said all right, why not.
The gin was dropped off at 11:30.
By 16:30 had bought some URL’s, chosen one to use, built a logo, website and got all the sip and share on socials
Posted some content that night about making a gin she had in the craft club gin box
Started to get traction
Decided she should give it a go
Never about being botanical specialist or trying to be a distiller. There are enough people making, talking and selling gin.
So Kate thought what can I do ?

What can I do to bring all of this together in a fun way ?

Friday night tasting
Distiller interview four weeks later and competition
Distillery map
Membership squad 2 weeks ago.
Rapid journey

Membership what do you get ?

Private membership group
Add value to all parties
Premium craft spirits drinkers want exclusivity offers that no one else. Offers that cannot get anywhere else
Events exclusive to them
Stuff make them feel special
Get access to distillers that can’t get else where
Way to add value to all parties

How does it work from a distillers

Feature 4 distillers per month
One distiller per week
Featured on front page
Lives or cocktail making
The distiller can do as much or as little as they want
Focus is exclusive
Distillers do different things

The most important thing is to make the consumer feel special and for distiller show off and showcase their brand

Discounts and offers throughout the whole time
20/30% off gins for fixed period of time. Generally killer discount lasts for 4 weeks
Providing value for everyone
Very different
Growing group of engaged craft spirit consumers
These consumers know the price points, know there is not high volume. Already segmented audience
Membership is great to taste test or share stuff.
One distiller wants to give out samples and get feedback
The same distiller is also going to get the membership to name the gin
Can only fit in certain amount of distillers.

How did you start your journey with gin ?

Had procescco and some gin liqueurs
Went on night out after had her second child Poppy
Went down to London
Given warm Gordon’s can which was slightly warm
Made Kate even less convinced to try gin !!!
Her friend then spent the whole night trying to convince Kate of the merits of gin
Tried lots of gin and lots of cocktails
Grew as consumer of gin
Learnt quite quickly to have a few bottles gin in as a staple
Then started taste testing for retail friend
Amazing how your palette changes and th versatility of gin.
Gin market caters for everyone
Sip and share not gin and share because craft spirits not just gin
More experience the more you change palette wise
She now has one room which is full of gin

How do you enjoy gin ?

Introvenus drip preferably !!
Kate has a classic taste.
Prefers craft gin and light tonic.
Sometimes garnish, sometimes not
Like a liqueur too by the fire
She like to contextualise her drinking
Not big cocktail maker. Want to drink faster than make it
Running joke. Can’t drink unless take picture

Stand out brands massive respect for. On point for everything

Surrey Copper Distillery
Daisy Distillery
Pitwheel Distillery
Little Quaker
Lytham Gin
Stockport Gin very responsive. Look at all touch points
Talking to Gotland Gin and Lava Spirits stay in same circle and see where go from there
Starts with having conversation
Can’t get back to everyone
Some people aren’t ready for a conversation
Some people won’t do a live
Engaging with consumers but distiller doing left right and centre
Conversation make world go round and create opportunities
Respect for business owners

Where is Sip and Share going ?

Brand perspective consistently visible, lives relationship with distillers, podcasts
Membership base more member have more can do. More stuff for charity and more stuff for distillers
Expand non-gin products
Focus on memberships
No more ideas for a while

Get in touch

What is your favourite gin and how would serve it ?

A gin that you forget how much you like
Don’t add a garnish
Daisy Distillery Original. Ice and skinny tonic
Long list of gins
Top 3 classic gins
Interesting experience in holiday park

What does gin mean to you ?

Fun
Spirit for everyone
So many different types and something on spectrum for everyone
Shows versatility
Can bring people together
Room in market for innovation for different things
Bring a bit of fun

Instagram Community Shout Out

My Instagram shoutout this week is Holly @memoirs_of_a_cocktail_girl_
Thank you very much for supporting the podcast and my instagram account @ginignite
The presentation and production of your posts are amazing. I love the way you style them and the props that you use.
I really loved your Viper gin win post. I loved the dried lemons and the wooden top vibe to the post
I loved your Raspberry Rose cocktail with the two gins Aviator and Liverpool rose gin
I really also liked your Malfy Lemon gin post with Artisan Drinks Co Agarve Lemon Tonic
I also love that you admit to occasionally cheating on gin
You produce some great content and I love the consistency of your feed.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 21 - Paul Jackson - The Gin Guide

Ben Hampson — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 21.
Nipple In A Tipple
Fantastic chance for the instagram community to raise awareness for breast cancer
October is breast cancer month.
This was created by Bev @gin_meets_girl, my Instagram shoutout a couple of weeks ago.
Spread the word about breast awareness and monthly checks.
So the challenge runs throughout October
Come up with booby inspired drinks and cocktails
Nothing is off limits whether it’s a G&T with a cherry on top or full on fancy pants cocktail.
Post to #nippleinatipple
@coppafeelpeople just giving
Please have a look at @gin_meets_girl profile and share the #nippleinatipple post.
Reviews
Podcast directory reviews are really important to help the podcast reach more people.
If you do have an opportunity to take the time to do a review I would be most grateful.
Events
#SmallGinSeptember - special thank you again to Vanessa @nessejay91 for setting this up.
If you have an event that you would like me to mention then please get in touch.

Weekly Gin Recommendation

My Weekly Recommendation - Massingberd-Mundy Burrells gin
Focussing on your heritage is a good brand story because you have something solid to base it on. It also gives natural prestige to what it is that your selling.
The flip side of that is that you have to actually produce something that is worth of that prestige.
The Massingberd-Mundy bases their story around the South Ormsby estate which was purchased in 1638 from the Skipwiths by Sir Drayner Massingberd.
The South Ormsby estate was held for 400 years by the Massingberd’s who became Massingberd-Mundy in the 19th century.
This is where the Massingberd-Mundy distillery takes it’s name.
Head Distiller Tristan Jorgensen took on the mantle of producing this gin. He wanted a juniper led, traditional London Dry
The nose is really interesting. There is a freshness to it. Almost a sweetness to the aroma along with a zestiness too.
The flavour profile is breathtaking. You instantly get the juniper and dryness hitting you, then you get a citrus flavour followed by a sweetness followed by a bit of heat before the flavour drops off ever so slowly.
The whole profile is so smooth. So smooth I would be happy to have this as a sipping gin. I don’t often say that.
I tried this with my normal Mediterranean tonic and I have to say that this really enhanced the flavour even further. I would say there is a dryness to the gin which normally would niggle me, like a Negroni does, but in this case it adds to the experience.
I think it would work with any light tonic including Elderflower.
I think this would be excellent as a dry martini and I can’t decide whether it could also work as a dirty martini or a Vespa martini. Something I need to try
This has been added to many cocktails and I am keen to try this out.
Congratulations Tristan and the team on the South Ormsby Estate in creating a gin which matches the heritage behind it .

Paul Jackson from The Gin Guide

Career

2009 - 2017 Digital Marketing
Worked for couple of agencies
Business around the world
Consulting work with Google for online advertising
Speaking at Google conference

Start of Gin Guide

Right place right time
Very quick response to gin
Readership of website
Was not long before distilleries and brands wanted to be involved.
Very up front that did not have knowledge. Had enthusiasm
Associate and write in a way that suitable for the people that were consuming it
There was a choice between marketing and gin. Gin was the winner.

Judging

WSET inviting him on to a level 1 course covering all spirits
Carried on through all the courses which has been hugely valuable
Contents and comparison for judging gins
Invitations to panels
Judging is now a large part of his work but only for The Gin Guide Awards

The Gin Guide

Overview

Revenue from subscriptions
Also provides consultancy mainly for marketing strategy and planning
In addition helps plan launches for new brand or existing brand launching new gin rather than advising on more practical matters like distilling etc.

History

Difference from 2014 to now.
Sipsmith emerging 11 years ago
Mainly supermarket brands at that point
Look at back bar and see a few gins now there are tens of them. Volume of gin has been huge
Everyone has local distillery. So much innovation
So international now
5 or 6 years ago phone calls with London, Birmingham and Manchester now Slovenia, Estonia and Angola

The Gin Guide Difference

Accessible without jargon
Appeals to people are new to gin as well those who know about gin
Independent and objective. No sponsors.
Impartial guide.
Wants people to try and experiment
Garnishing section added so that would have the recommended garnish for 400 gins, so that you have starting place to go to
Find things there that are relevant are useful

The Gin Guide - Brand

Global guide to gin and distilleries with aim to help people to discover new and existing gin
Gin brands and distilleries showcase gins and distilleries and deliver to audience that follows The Gin Guide who are passionate about gin.
The brand means to Paul as much as people using it
Stands as sign of authenticity / credibility
Keen to maintain brand by constantly monitoring and changing

The Gin Guide - Services

Product development - helping refine product if new and also helping to refine existing products
Got concept for flavour profile and ask view on whether that is correct
Want view on final product and whether it is ready to go
Implementation

Distillers

The Gin Guide Membership

Access to trade professional and users that read gin guide
Having showcase to large user base on social media and newsletter about the distillery and the people behind it
A lot of people find out about gin. Very much pays for itself
All about distillery and people behind it
Who they are trying to target and who the resources are

Distillers

Trend for local focus because easy if name after a local area to galvanise support
If not focussed on location have to appeal in a different ways such as branding or flavouring

Crafting The Brand

Authenticity
Important to have good spirit first and foremost
Secondary for people to know about botanical and process
Like to know who is behind the brand
If great spirit then going to sell repeat bottles
Some brands have nice bottle but not such good spirit so will sell one bottle and no more

Gin Of The Week

Invite only feature
Lots of international readers and consumers
Mix of gins around the world
Mix of types like navy strength, Old Tom or something in flavour direction
Mix up with classics
Brand new launches
The Gower Gin Company last week. Dragon Strength Gin
Always good quality gins
Gin of the week announced on Monday

Helping Member Distilleries

Mad time
Challenging for a lot of people
Lots of people Innovated and adapted
Tough job being a distiller
Helping advice and guidance
Helping transition from revenue from trade to consumers and direct retail
Updating websites and platforms and changing to more direct marketing etc

The Gin Guide Awards

Why New Design and Sustainability Section ?

Added first time last year
2 Import things to consumers
Design
Sustainability
Design - look of bottle and spirit itself
Sustainability - Important factor in decision making. Great to showcase what is happening so encourages other distilleries to do the same
All about discovery

Winners

Number of winners determined by the amount of gins entered into that category achieving a threshold score
Threshold for being a finalist and threshold for being a winner
Pauls wife is a maths teacher and is on hand to help with the calculations
Exclusive to win an award and has meaning

Logistics

Hundreds of gins get entered
Beast of projects
5 or 6 months of work
Setting things up to opening entry and bottling up all of sample into minatures for judges
Providing feedback to all entrants
Feedback of panel of experts
Chance to find distilleries around the world and showcase the gin for winners

Judging Panel

Very open showcasing who the panel is
Broad representation of professionals in the industry
Retail
Distribution
Bar Tenders
Mixologists
Distillers
Writers and bloggers
Have to be successful with multiple audiences
Get viewpoint from bredth of people
Difficult to choose panels
Judges are enthusiastic and trustworthy

Award Ceremony

Don’t want to burden people with event cost in their ticket
Entries from 30 different countries
Can’t easily make to ceremony
Logistics and costs of organising
Judging process rigorous and watertight rather than event side of it
Awards have visual and long lasting content
Great amount of PR to trade
Winners catalogue
More exciting things this year include partnerships with other companies
More will be revealed

Reviews

Don’t look at marketing information / botanicals etc
Mainly down to spirit so won’t really comment on the bottle
If have a good bottle need to have the spirit to match

Process

Pour out into wine glass
Let breathe and then look at aroma or appearance Looking for sediment
Taste neat a number of times
Taste with ice or water. Reduces ABV of gin
Taste with tonic as well. Very important to do this
Try a few garnishes
Try a gin again at another time

How do taste so many gins ?

Spread out as much as possible
Spit it out rather than drink too much
Taste gins individually
Palette fatigue real thing so very difficult if you are assessing gins. Sometimes there are 50 gins tasted by other judges !!
The maximum Paul has tasted in one sitting is 20
Judging is done remotely for gin guide awards to allow plenty of time to make their assessments

Future

The Gin Guide Awards

Entry opens for 2021 start of January
More additions for winners and finalists
Possibly new categories
Wait and see

The Gin Guide

More of the same
More ways for people to discover gin through video and live content
Large segment of market that know what they like but show them some new gins within the category they might find interesting
Printed version coming

Covid

Unpredictable at the moment
A lot of people have changed from trade to consumer
Lots of innovation
Virtual experience and online tasting
Virtual events such as International Scottish Gin Day
Those with gin tours and gin schools that created large revenue making it difficult at the moment
Gin tourism and trade impacting the industry
Consumer side booming.
Hopefully Christmas strong for sales
Lot of distillery thrived that have direct consumer focus
Lots of challenges around events and artisan markets

What is the best way to get in touch ?

Instagram - @theginguide
Twitter - @theginguide
Face Book - The Gin Guide
Web - https://www.theginguide.com

What is your favourite gin and how would you serve it ?

Impartial so not have favourite but will go through some he has enjoyed in the past and some which he has enjoyed recently:-
St Georges Terroir Gin
Martin Millers Gin
QVT Gin
Shire Gin
Greensand Ridge
3 Wrens Gin - Bison Grass and Raspberry Gin Aged in Balsamic Vinegar Casks

What does gin mean to you ?

Enjoyment and socialising and convivial element
Easy to get caught up in other elements
Use your personal preferences
Discovery

Instagram Community Shout Out

My Instagram shoutout this week is @theginlord
I apologise that I did not see your live for a month on 10th September.
I really love the frankness of your lives. Please keep them coming.
I like the way you engage and I would like to publicly thank you for your comments relating to last weeks episode about supporting distilleries.
Really enjoyed the live you did with Tristan Jorgensen from Massingberd-Mundy. Really helped me when preparing for Episode 12.
Always enjoy the latest Negroni incarnations. I am still trying to get Negroni right but I think the only way is to ditch the Campari !!
Always enjoy your reviews especially the one on The Gower Gin Company Dragon Strength
Didn’t enjoy your post about reducing your gin collection
I am glad you have started your podcast and wish you a lot of luck with that.
I also have even more respect having found out recently that you are a judge on The Gin Guide Awards.
Thank you again for your lives and keep them coming.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next...

Episode 20 - Where do you go to find out more about distilleries ?

Ben Hampson — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 20.
Small Gin September
Brainchild of Vanessa @nessejay91.
We have had Anfield Gin, The Wandering Bartender, Lava Spirits, Massingberd Mundy and finally Viper Gin
So glad Vanessa decided to do a 5th week.
Viper Gin was a really good week. Really enjoyed the cocktail creation and looking forward to receiving my runner up prize.
Congratulations to Carole @grandmasginparlour and Kerri @glassofgin_packetofseeds
Nipple In A Tipple
This was created by @gin_meets_girl, my Instagram shoutout a couple of weeks ago.
She works in an NHS breast department
Fantastic chance for the instagram community to raise awareness for breast cancer
Remember early diagnosis saves lives
October is breast cancer month.
Monthly breast check is key
So the challenge runs throughout October
Come up with booby inspired drinks and cocktails
Nothing is off limits whether it’s a G&T with a cherry on top or full on fancy pants cocktail.
Spread the word about breast awareness and monthly checks. Post to #nippleinatipple
@coppafeelpeople just giving
Please have a look at @gin_meets_girl profile and share the #nippleinatipple post.

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Weekly Gin Recommendation - Lava Spirits Coffee Orange Gin
This is my favourite of Lava Spirits two gins. I think it is because Laura has successfully manage to harness 3 very bold flavours into a beautifully blended gin with juniper, orange and coffee.
The nose of the gin is unmistakably orange with coffee undertones
When Laura was on the podcast in episode 11 she explained how important it is to get the roasting of the coffee right. She has absolutely hit the perfect sweet spot. The coffee taste is not bitter but naturally sweet.
This expertly blended, sweet coffee taste forms the first part of the flavour profile, it is followed by a beautiful orange flavour, although not too overpowering and finally you get the juniper at the end.
I could quite easily have this neat on the rocks.
I chose to pair it with my usual Mediterranean tonic in order to test it as a long serve. This really seemed to bring out the orange flavour.
It happily sits with any light standard or Mediterranean tonic.
I personally would not put it with any other flavoured tonic.
I am disappointed with myself that I did not try this with ginger ale or ginger beer, as Laura had suggested. because I think this would be a fantastic serve.
I can’t decide whether I would have this as a dry Martini or not. It certainly has the smoothness I look for.
For me though I think this really comes into it’s own with the plethora or cocktails that you could add it into or adding over ice cream or in desserts.
Congratulations Laura on producing something totally different which is blended to perfection.

Where do you go to find out more about distilleries ?

Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

Follow people on your chosen social media platform and if they suggest something try it.
For example I follow all things mixology for Vanessa @nessejay91 but she follows me and quite often listens to some of the brands I talk about.
She has bought from @pitwheeldistillery and @theedgegin for example directly after listening to what I have said.
I really like that because I want to support the distilleries and as I said last week if you can’t buy the gin then post about the gin you like.
Once you find someone that you respect their views then this is one source of inspiration you can use.

Online Events

Events like #smallginseptember are really good because you can see behind the scenes
Get to know the people who run or work at the distilleries.
Also challenges mean prizes and a change to try the gin
Lava Spirits and Viper Gin gave me a runner up prize for producing a cocktail.
The reason why Lava Spirits is this weeks recommendation is because I had forgotten how lovely it is and now I want to shout about it
Viper Gin will get a review from me also.
If I really like Viper Gin that will also go on my weekly recommendation list
Giving away miniatures like this gives consumers a chance to taste exactly as you would at events or markets
Not advocating giving away gin other than in the context of a particular event

Minatures on Website

I have talked about this before
Imperative to have miniatures as an option on your website so that you can sample before you buy
This is exactly what a distiller does at markets and events. The difference is the consumer is paying for it which is win win for everyone

Consider flat packing

I have talked about them before and I am sure I will again
The Gower Gin Company produce their range of gins bar the dragons strength as a flat pack for £14.95. Great value and gets you to taste the whole range

The Gin Guide

Go to The Gin Guide for inspiration
Most of the distilleries I talk to all point to this as a resource
The review of the gins I know are really fair and give a really good indication as to whether you would like them or not
They also have some great lives showcasing distilleries and distillery tours
Also have gin of the week. This week it is The Gower Gin Company Dragon Strength.

The Gin To My Tonic

Offer a series of events and festivals throughout the year
Do a lot of meet the maker events which is your chance to meet the maker of your favourite gin
Tastings - get a chance to taste a particular distilleries offerings

Gin Foundry

Reviews
Distillery map
Tastings
Interviews

Round Of Gin

Search for particular distilleries and events all over the world.
Reviews of any distilleries you like the look of

Sip and Share

Membership based site where you pay initially £1 and then £2.99
Get discounts on gin and exclusive access to membership only content for UK Best Distillers and Independent Retailers
Also great spirits map to showcase where in the country distillers are located.
I had not realised how many distilleries are so close to me.

Podcasts

Scottish Alchemist Podcast - review gins, gin tastings
The Gin Ignite podcast - this one. Weekly review, talks with distilleries
Thirst of all - talks to various people in the industry about their first, last and never drinks

Craft Gin Club

Monthly gin each month and a load of goodies
Able to buy gin

The Botanical Trading Company

Monthly gin each month

Third Party Websites

I would always encourage you to go direct but these sites are good to see new additions or where the distiller does not sell directly
Master Of Malt
Spirits Kiosk
Amazon - look for gins. Browse gin by award one in a country. International gins
I Love Gin

Search on social media

Browse the hashtag small craft gin or small batch gin

When open

Artisan Markets
Local Festivals

Instagram Community Shout Out

My Instagram shoutout this week is @gin_obsessed_hayley
I would like to thank you for your support.
I really love your amazingly colourful and often floral posts apart from your last two spooky ones for this months craft gin Whitby Gin The Demeter Edition
I really liked your recent post on @manhatten_Cocktails Winterbacher gin. I though it was very informative and very colourful. I must try a French 75
You make me laugh with your ever so slight Rhino obsession which runs through your posts. For me it is not Rhino but giraffes !! Love the post with the Rhino gin.
I liked your Negroni post and I have to say I struggle with all things decoration especially peel or some of the really intricate designs you see !!
I loved your flat lay of Septembers Craft Gin Club gin
I also loved your review of Massingberd Mundays Marie Jeanne gin and the photo.
Keep doing what your doing and look out for my stories showcasing these all week.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 19 - How can we best help distilleries ?

Ben Hampson — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 19.
Small Gin September
Brainchild of Vanessa @nessejay91. We have had Anfield Gin, The Wandering Bartender, Lava Spirits, Massingberd Mundy and finally Viper Gin
So glad Vanessa decided to do a 5th week. It has really beneficial and worthwhile and I would like to than Laura at Lava Spirits for my prize for being runner up in the cocktail competition. I am not sure what to do with my gins yet.
Very excited to see what happens with Viper Gin this week.

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Weekly Gin Recommendation - Brockmans
Brockmans has been recommended to me at least twice on the podcast as a favourite drink and so I decided that I had to get some.
I now know what they mean because the 10 years they took to perfect the recipe was totally worth it.
Nose - The nose is just berry but you can tell that this is no ordinary berry (blueberry and blackberry), not just because it has alcohol in it, although that helps, but because the nose
Flavour - The flavour profile is complex and it almost has a double dryness to it, although I think the second dry flavour is probably the coriander.
The flavour profile starts with very dry which I think is the juniper. This is followed by a strong berry taste from the blueberries and blackberries which then is followed by the coriander dryness briefly before finally sweetening out to a beautiful subtle blueberry and blackberry taste which is sweet probably due to the orange peel. Normally any taste after that is dry but you just get left with sweet berry after tones.
I think the perfect pairing for me is with Mediterranean tonic but I would strongly urge you not to forget the blueberries. I am not really one for garnish in my G&T but this really accentuates the taste.
The suggested serving is with 2 blueberries and some pink grapefruit peel but I think you can quite easily go to 5 blueberries to accentuate the taste.
I think this would work with any standard light premium tonic including Elderflower. I would not go for anything stronger thought
A Brockmans dry martini sounds decadent and like heaven. I will be trying this in the next few weeks so will let you know.
I think Brockmans would work well in cocktails although personally unless I could make the cocktail enhance the amazing flavour profile I would favour it in a G&T.

How can we best help distilleries ?

Inspired this week by speaking to a distiller

Makes gin Monday - Thursday
Events and Markets - Friday - Sunday
Each time government announcement made numbers get smaller
Carry on until completely stops → lockdown

Serve Distilleries

Serve gin commmunity
Concentrate on those who consume and comment
Need to concentrate → makers gorgeous liquid
This episode is to redress that balance and as a call out to the gin community to essentially buy gin.
I asked distilleries if there was one thing that the gin community could do what would it be ?

How can we help ?

Number 1 - Buy Gin

Right way
Go to distiller directly and buy from their site
Otherwise go to known specialist retailers such as The Gin To My Tonic or Spirit Kiosk.
Interact with the distiller directly and ask where they stock it. Local ?
Christmas is coming up / birthdays coming up. Think of local distillery
Buy miniatures if unsure
Can’t go to the pub go virtual.
What you would have spent buy a bottle of gin from the distillery
Drink with friends and help out your preferred distillery

Number 2 - If you like a gin why don’t you review it ?

Tighten belt
The next best way to support a gin brand is to talk about it and help people get to know it
If your feeling brave why not do a live with the distiller directly
Taste neat before you add anything to it

Number 3 - Comment / Like / Share

Comment and like on posts which have your favourite gin.
Share with friends, family and community
The more we do this as a community then the more this gin will get known
Tagging distilleries
All interaction increase viability of the brand

Number 4 - Get to know the brand

Story - understand the story of the brand. For example this week we know that the Viper distillery is named after the adder / viper that they saw when clearing the ground to grow the botanicals
History - Look at Pitwheel distillery that celebrates the mining heritage or Massingberd Mundy which celebrates the heritage of the South Ormsby estate

Number 5 - Bars / Restaurants

Consider buying gin directly from the distiller. There margins are much greater
Buy on reputation and what your regulars want rather than being seduced to cheaper or more well know brands that offer extra promotions

Number 6 - Gin Community

Everyone in the gin community want to drink gin
Please post about distilleries and great serves of gin
There is not a reason to hate on groups / individuals that enjoy gin. Just concentrate your efforts on something that really matters in the world instead
This situation is only going to get worse and we need to together as one community
Any jealousy you has will impact the distilleries and this is not good

Distilleries I know one or more of their gins and are worth a look

The Edge Gin - London Dry, L’Orange and Pear
Pitwheel Distillery - Classic Dry, Original Spiced and Raspberry and Vanilla
Brockmans
Isle Of White Distillery - Mermaid and Mermaid Pink, HMS Victory Navy Strength
The Botanist
The City of Aberdeen Distillery - Scottish Bramble Gin, Rhubarb Gin, Tuckshop Gin, Thyme and Rosemary Gin, Lemon Zingle Gin, Chocolate and Mint Gin, Fresh Gin
Lava Spirits Coffee Gin, Coffee and Orange Gin
Masons Dry Yorkshire, Slow Distilled Sloe Gin, Lavender Edition, Steve’s Apple Edition, Yorkshire Tea, Peppered Pear
Aberfalls - Welsh Dry, Small Batch, Rhubarb and Ginger & Orange Marmalade
Gunpowder

Distilleries I have not tasted but heard good things about

Massingberd Mundy - Burrells / Marie Jeanne
Viper Gin - London Dry / Mulled
Mackintosh Gin - London Dry, Mariner Strength, Pineapple and Grapefruit Old Tom
The Gower Gin Company - Original, Rhosili, Bara Brith, Pinwydd, Rhamanta, Rhosili 'Dragon Strength'
Otterbeck distillery - Cotton
Stockport Gin - Original Edition Gin, Pink Edition Gin, Pink Grapefruit and Pink Peppercorn, Sustainable Edition & Twist Of Lime Edition
Crawshay Gin - Welsh Dry Gin, Orange, Strawberry, Rhubarb and Vanilla Gin
Anfield Gin - Strawberry Blush
Defiance Spirits - Fight Club Gin, Test Pilot Seville Gin, High Octane, Spit-Fire Spiced Gin, Jet Fueled Gin,
Capreolus Distillery - Garden Swift Dry Gin
Faiers Distillery - Traditional Collection, Nostalgic Collection, Experimental Collection
Four Pillars Gin - Olive Leaf Gin, Blood Shiraz Gin, Rare Dry Gin, Spiced Negroni Gin, Modern Australian Gin, Navy Strength Gin, Sherry Cask Gin, Chardonnay Barrel Gin, Australian Christmas Gin, Changing Seasons Gin, Gin with Benefits
Law Gin Ibiza - Premium Quality Dry Gin
Holy Island Gin - Original and Sea Pink
Agnes Arber Gin - Premium, Pineapple and Rhubarb
Worthing Gin - London Dry, Orange Blush and Mellow Pear

Instagram Community Shout Out

My Instagram shoutout this week is @ginmakers
I wish you would actually show us and talk to us about what you are doing.
Find it straight forward but I would like to know more about the brand.
Liked the Elderflower Gin fizz and your use of the new Robinsons range of cordials. I tried the Elderflower with tonic water at the weekend and it was really nice
Half hitch gin and orange and juniper and tonic water
Fizzy pink raspberry. I would also add some Elderflower liqueur and a bit of sugar syrup and then top up with Prosecco !!!
Thanks for your support and here’s to you getting in front of the camera !!

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 18 - How I fell into mixology and how much fun it is

Ben Hampson — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 18.

Small Gin September - fourth week.

Brainchild of Vanessa @nessejay91.
We have had Anfield Gin, The Wandering Bartender, Lava Spirits and now Massingberd Mundy.
Please get behind her and support this event. It has been really innovative from the distilleries so far and I think a lot of them would agree that this is down to Vanessa helping behind the scenes.
I am really interested to see how this week progresses with Tristan and Massingberd Mundy (Episode 12)
It has been really fun for the community and has really got people to engage with those behind the brands.

ProudBeerUK

It is not really gin related but Vanessa @nessejay91 had a very frank conversation with Ethan and Sorren from Proud Beer. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CFXkck-pkIX/ It is a really interesting conversation and my key takeaway is learning more about rainbow brands but also learning about how much brands donate to what they representing. Ethan and Sorren really should be proud of their ethics and morale judgement and you should listen as it is a real eye opener

The City of Aberdeen Taste and Vote pack

Only available till tomorrow.
The gins are all sensational and I have picked my winner I think.
One more taste today to confirm.
Please get involved.
Also they have revealed their secret project Make Your Own Gin. You have the opportunity to choose up to 10 botanicals from 100 to make your own gin but guided by the expert distillers.
Definitely something I am considering doing. Sounds like so much fun.

Thirst Of All Podcast

Rory Faiers @theginlord has a new podcast called Thirst Of All Podcast. Now drink, Then Drink point in their life, First Drink, Last Drink and Never Drink.

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Whitley Neill Blackberry
Always had Whitley Neill in my collection. I really enjoy the taste even though they are gradually getting replaced with some craft gins.
Some are a bit niche such as Parma Violet and Pink Grapefruit gin but some are some great staples like the previous recommendations such as quince. They are also really nice in cocktails.
They are cost effective as quite often they are on promotion in the supermarket.
Nose - London dry with possibly a vague hint of blackberry. It is very vague.
Flavour - Sweet taste then full blackberry flavour and juniper at the back end of the palette.
I think if you are looking for a juniper led, dry taste then this probably is not the gin for you.
I tested as I always do with Mediterranean and it creates in my opinion a lovely, fruit based G&T.
I think that this would also work with another light tonic. I think it would work with Elderflower and I think you could probably even try blood orange as I think it would sweeten the flavour but you would probably lose a lot of the blackberry.
It is too sweet in my opinion for a dry Martini but would work well in a cocktail possibly negating the need for sugar syrup.

Mixology

The Dark Arts Of Mixology

So for the last few weeks inspired by Vanessa (episode 8)and The Wandering Bartender (episode 16) I have started moving from making cocktails into the dark art of mixology.
I wanted to try and encourage you to do the same
I know it can be quite daunting with some amazing cocktails coming out particularly from
Vanessa @nessejay91 (Episode 8)
Mark (@the_wanderingbartender) (Episode 15),
Kerri @glassofgin_packetofseeds,
Nikki Mendes @nikkimendesuk or @theonlywayisgin (Episode 7),
Social Gin Girl @socialgingirl
The queen of cocktails herself Tammy Jackson @forcocktailssake
Until I talked to Vanessa I don’t think that I had the confidence to try.

Equipment

Plus it is really not that expensive initially.
You need shaker, ice, gin and ideally some sugar syrup. You will also need some alcohol and some citrus.
I have got a standard cocktail shaker. I was encouraged by Vanessa and Mark to get a boston shaker. This is essentially two shaker tins which fit together. The idea is that the ice can flow a bit better in the greater area. I bought this and have not looked back.
If you do decide to go down this route then you will also need a hawthorn strainer to catch ice (this is automatically caught in a standard cocktail shaker) and a fine strainer to catch stuff if you muddle and to catch fine ice crystals.

Start Simple

I would also concentrate on making some easy classics like dry martini, negroni, Tom Collins or Bronx. So you will need some vermouth and campari and some citrus fruit or juice.
Then try and put your own take on it.
So for example the Bronx is 50ml gin, 25ml orange juice, 12.5ml vermouth, 12.5ml sweet vermouth.
Why don’t you use The Edge l’Orange gin instead of your normal gin.
You could remove the vermouth completely and instead add 25ml of cointreu or keep the vermouth and still add the cointreu. That is going to enhance the orange and make the drink sweeter.
I am not expert all I want to do is encourage you to give this a go. Some of the things I have learned are put the ice in the small shaker first and then move to the large shaker.

Merlollins Walk Through

So lets say you are going to go a bit more fancy and make the Merlollins i.e. an amalgamation of Merlin and Tom Collins
For this recipe you muddle which essentially means that you get a wooden or metal stick and you roughly crush up the basil in this case at the bottom of the shaker tin.
Then add the ice from the larger shaker tin.
Then add 85ml The Edge l’Orange gin
25ml freshly squeezed smooth orange juice
15ml sugar syrup.
Shake that up and then putting the large shaker tin down on the table knock the smaller shaker tin until they part. Carefully lift that away ensuring that you pour its precious contents into the large shaker.
Then using a hawthorn strainer and a fine strainer pour the liquid into a high ball glass.
Top up the rest of it with soda water.
What seems daunting suddenly is really amazing.

Who to Follow

I have picked out a few people. There are many more that I follow but these are the key people.
Now I am only an amateur. To get to the next stage of which I am nowhere near you have to start to develop an understanding of the botanicals in your gin and how they play together with other flavours.
So Mark (@the_wanderingbartender) for example starts sniffing one item in his drink individually then will bring them together to see how they virtually taste.
Kerri (@glassofgin_packetofseeds) is really good in that she comes up with some interesting cocktails with some amazing ingredients. For me her cocktails come alive with their design. She natively makes them stand out with something from the garden or she has foraged such as nettles, summer fruit, flowers etc.
Nikki Mendes (@theonlywayisgin) is really good at the look of her cocktails and what she puts in them. I would say that generally her cocktails are fruit based or citrus based. The thing I really like is her easy to access flavours.
Christine (@socialgingirl) is really good. She produces the most amazing looking cocktails. They just look stunning. Her attention to detail is phenomynal. She does use a lot of weird and wonderful ingredients so you may want to go with some more manageable ingredients
Tammy (@forcocktailsake) is amazing inspiration. Like Social Gin Girl some of the stuff she uses maybe out of your budget but most of it you can interchange. She is where I aspire to be because she uses some amazing ingredients. She also takes syrups to the next level e.g. she did a Negroni where she infused each ingredient she used.
Vanessa takes it to a whole new level by researching the brand, the region it is from, the botanicals and formulates a plan based on those elements to derive a cocktail. She also comes up with syrups which she makes from scratch. She is my Yoda of mixology and is always the one messaging me to say go on give it a go.

Instagram Community Shout Out

My Instagram shoutout this week is Emma @an_elfs_ruin
I got to know her in Juniper July mainly not I am ashamed to say that I participated but I heard so much of the community talk about it
Really got the community together and doing something
Love her posts. Been enjoying those on the Gower Gin company especially her recent one using Dragon strength gin in negroni
Also love her post Under Milk Wood for #gowerginpresents
Loved her gin ban and then her post where she bought some Pembrokeshire gin !!
I also like her home blackcurrant gin liquor. It was so vibrant
I also loved her dressing of FlowerBomb gin.
Thanks Emma for your support of the gin community and your excellent posts.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 17 - Clare Ryan from The Edge Gin

Ben Hampson — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 17. Today we are talking to Clare Ryan from the Edge Gin.
Talk about her and Mikes magical brand. Where it came from.
Merlin the Wizard
London Dry, L’Orange and Pear gins

Small Gin September - third week.

Please support this event. We have had Anfield Gin, The Wandering bartender and now we have Lava Spirits.
I interviewed Laura in episode 11 for her launch day. It was amazing fun being involved in a launch.
Looking forward to see how progresses during the week.
Looking good so far.
So a scoop from Vanessa. Would not tell me the distilleries but she has revealed there are not one but two more gin brands

The City of Aberdeen Distillery Signature Gin Vote

Enjoyed my chat with Mark @the_wanderingbartender
Got me chatting with City of Aberdeen distillery
Deciding on their signature gin but not doing it alone
No they are doing it in style and getting the people of Aberdeen and friends of the distillery. Plus it has the added accolade of becoming Aberdeen’s gin
You order a box of 4 gins for £19.99 and you taste them neat and you taste them with your preferred tonic and you get a chance to vote.
If you need more help you can tune in to their live tasting on Saturday at 15:00 at the Taste of Grampian event.
If you are in Aberdeen it is in the Have a tipple tent. What a great name.
Not around it is being recorded and will be available to watch.
The gins are made from organic alcohol which costs twice as much but worth it for the taste
The packs are sold for another week after this weeks event and you have to till the end of the month to vote.
Such a great way to decide your signature gin
Please support them
https://cityofaberdeendistillery.co.uk/products/taste-and-vote

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Weekly Gin Recommendation - Stranger and Sons Gin
From the third eye distillery in Goa in India comes this gin based on a mythical beast with 3 eyes and 2 tails who came upon juniper berries hidden in a sari
My hats off to co-founders Vidur, Sakshi and Rahul
The nose is of a London dry but there is something fresh about it probably the lemons and something spicy I think perhaps the bergamot
Taste very smooth. Initially sweet taste then the lemon and bergamot in the middle followed by juniper and a corriander bit at the end. The whole flavour I think is heightened with the black pepper.
I was worried that all of these ingredients together would create a very spicy gin. They are all held to together in a beautiful flavour profile.
I tried initially with Mediterranean tonic and this creates a very pleasant G&T.
Due to its robustness I think there are not many tonics you could not throw at this gin but my favourite is not my beloved Mediterranean but Elderflower.
This gin is certainly smooth enough for a dry martini although I think on balance I would prefer to us it in a whole host of other cocktails.
It was my first gin from the Craft Gin club and I have to be honest if someone offered it to me I would probably pass. More fool me.

Clare Ryan from The Edge Gin

Meeting Mike and Cruise Ships

Clare was the princess and Mike was the front end of the cow in an amateur dramatics production, which is how they met
Clare plays violin and Mike plays guitar. They both sing.
They were dating for a year and then Mike’s Dad organised their first gig in working mans club that he worked in
Did two years of working mens clubs
Then some theatre work with Hinge & Bracket / Ken Dodd
Did showcase for Bookers for Cruise ships. Took them on and started on Fred Olsen Line
Set sail for eighteen years at sea with various cruise companies
Highlight for them was the travelling, local food / drinks and cultures

Why Alderley Edge ?

Family history. Both Mum and Dad and Mum’s sister hung out there
Lovely area
Looking for somewhere nice to unpack case and setup home

Brand Idea

Came from ‘The Edge’ which is a national trust area near to Alderley Edge
All based on the legend of the wizard of Alderley Edge.
There is a Wizard pub and tea-room
Love mythical history and fell in love with The Edge and the story of the wizard
The legend of the wizard is such a lovely one
Wizard of Alderley Edge is believed to Merlin
Brand is playful with the legend
Serious brand but with a bit of play on the legend
Ties in with love of theatre

Brand Means To You

Fulfillment, pleasure and happiness
Love the myths and legend
Fulfilling opportunity to produce something your love
Had a photo shoot on The Edge.
Mike dressed up as the wizard.
Got a few funny looks by some dog walkers

How did you get into gin distilling ?

Had not realised how big gin had grown until after arrived back in the UK after being away at sea
Knew of quite a few craft distillers in Cheshire
Really helped out by Mike’s best friend Paul Sheerin from Defiance Distillery
Invited to Defiance Distillery to see how it all worked and got the bug
Thanks to Paul that got inspiration
Then had to set themselves up.
Not an easy process and spent a long time because HMRC lost their documents
You can’t do anything until have the correct licences

How do make your gin ?

Use neutral grain 96% alcohol
Two stills Merlin and Arthur
Starts 48 hours before distilling process
Goji berries get soaked in neutral grain spirit and oranges for L’Orange
Night before grind coriander seed and juniper berries
Some botanicals ground in pestle and mortar and all put in muslin bags. Soaked goji berries added to bag
Oranges discarded but dehydrated oranges added instead for L’Orange
Goes under lid of still
Vapour infusing via temperature control
Takes about 8 hours
Whilst waiting labelling bottles, putting gift boxes together. All by hand
Switch off still and leave gin to settle over night.
Reverse osmosis machine to purify water
The gin is poured from the still into a large tank and the reverse osmosis is added
Using alchometer and thermometer work out how much water to add
Left for a few days because it takes time for gin and water to merge together
If tried initially would have quite the bite
Wait a few days and then bottle

How does time get divided between Clare and Mike ?

Mike does a lot of behind the scenes stuff doing the paperwork etc
In the distillery no real defined job. Share everything
Clare does the front of house doing social media and events

The Gins !! Order of Production

London Dry Gin

Produce first because signature gin.
Wanted to have nutritious gin.
Clare did a diploma in nutrition.
Wanted to have something in London Dry that had nutritional value.
Goji berries as signature botanical after the juniper.
Delicate sweetness.
Aided in created smooth gin

L’Orange Gin

Came about because a lot of requests from artisan markets.
Kept being asked for an orange gin.
Got recipe testing.
London dry base recipe.
Important to create an flavoursome orange, natural gin.

Pear Gin

Chose because different as not many out there.
Have pear trees in the garden.
Clare kept walking past and thought wouldn’t a pear gin be lovely.
No sugar or sweeteners.
Tried soaking pear fruit but did not give much flavour.
So use dehydrated pears

Perfects Serves / Cocktails

London Dry

Serve with Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic.
Slice of orange or ruby grapefruit
Sprig of rosemary as well.
Used dried lemon and orange peel so bring out citrus
Lychee Martini

L’Orange

Serve with Premium Light tonic such as Fever Tree Light
Slice of Orange
Try some basil
Looks pretty and fragrant
St Clements Martini
The Alderley Orangetini
Merlins Magic
The Chester Grosvenor
The Merlgin Rogers

Pear

Perfect server Elderflower tonic
If are not an Elderflower fan then premium light tonic or if not a tonic fan then sparkling waters such as apple and Elderflower
Garnish with a slice of pear or pear sphere
The Peartini Up

New Flavour

Pink gin
Fruits of the forest
Not likely until next year when the distillery expands
Would need additional still Guinevere

Markets

Markets very important
Market research in the markets
Get gin out in front of the general public
Very worthwhile
Nice to meet everyone and customers
Looking to expand eventually into supermarkets
In Portland wines, Bargain Booze, local bars and farm shops
List of local stockists are on the website

Contact

What is your favourite gin, other than your own, and how would you serve it ?

Like a free pour of Larios Gin in Spain by the beach
With ice, Indian tonic and slice of lemon
Side of bread and aioli

What does gin mean to you ?

Brings happiness making gin and the drinking of
Making other people happy
Knowing that it is something that people enjoying
People tag in photos
Like the gin community and the way it brings people together

Gin Community Shout Out

Old Bell Inn, Saddleworth village of Delph, 1258 gins commercially available and in Guiness Book of Records
Taste of Grampian virtual festival 18-20th September https://www.tasteofgrampian.co.uk
Vermacity UK sent round a post. Drink Responsibly. Don’t Spill It which made me laugh
Admiring the new branding apron from The Only Way Is Gin. Can’t wait until you announce when your signature gin is coming !!!
Leah Buckingham - 5 day Instagram challenge starting on Monday 28th September 2020. I did one a few months ago and it was really good. Just to click on the link in her bio @theleahbuckingham

Instagram Community Shout Out

My Instagram shoutout this week is @ginscousegirl
Mel thank you very much for liking some of my posts. It has not gone un-noticed
Loved the lime gin and lemon and elderflower gin. Really loved the gorgeous plate underneath. Loved the story around Rome
Ginsunset - loved this cocktail with gin, orange, lime, cranberry and pineapple juice.
Loved the Rock Rose Gin with Bibite Polara Mandarino (tangerine) and the green vibe to the post
Really loved Gin & elderflower fizz. I love Mermaid gin too !!! Not really put in cocktails. You have inspired me to try !!
I really love your posts and how much effort you put into them. I also appreciate how down to earth they are which makes them a joy to read.
Thank you again for your support and congratulations for being this weeks Instagram shoutout.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 16 - Mark Herbert from The Wandering Bartender

Ben Hampson — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 16
Small Gin September - second week.
Please support this event. Last week it was the fabulous Anfield Gin and this week it is Mark from the wandering bartender.
We still have two more to go
The Wandering Bartender - Please support the competition. Only two more rounds to go. Very close at the top.
My clothing sample came today and I am wearing it on the video and really well packaged in a paper, recyclable packaging.
Really enjoyed myself with Merlin over the weekend at The Edge Gin distillery and we have been creating cocktails all week. Thank you to Mike and Clare for their support.
I am a Craft Gin Club virgin. Not sure why I did not join sooner. Love the magazine, the gin you get, the serving suggestions, the garnishes. Amazing value. If you have not already joined you should definitely consider it. Would love to have you on the podcast !!

Weekly Gin Recommendation

This weeks gin recommendation is Pitwheel Distillery Raspberry and Vanilla Gin
The Pitwheel Distillery were the first craft gins that I discovered purely by accident and because of a hilarious post they put out.
As I wanted to try all of their gins I was really pleased that they did a miniatures pack. I really did not know what to expect but all I can say is wow and thank you.
Their gins are superb and whilst I have bought the Original spiced the Raspberry and Vanilla is definitely on my gin budget in the future.
The nose of this gin is alcoholic raspberry and is really strong.
I have to say that whilst I find it hard to pick out the vanilla the depth of the raspberry is phenomenal.
So much so that my go to Whitley Neill Raspberry gin has lost is badge and spurs !! and there is a new sheriff in town and it's name is Pitwheel Raspberry and Vanilla gin.
I tested with my normal Fever Tree Mediterranean gin but I think this would also pair well with a standard or Elderflower gin.
I think it would make a very interesting dry martini and would be great in cocktails especially with some fresh raspberries as a garnish.
Well done Pitwheel for turning out another amazing gin.

Mark Herbert from the Wandering Bartender

Early Career Navy

Mark joined the Royal Navy because it was raining and the nearest shelter was the forces recruitment centre !
He joined his ship in the Falklands primarily for drug patrol.
Part of crew who apprehended a boat in 2006 with 250 million pound of cocaine.
Biggest in naval history until 2 years ago
Based at one island in the Caribbean which had only one bar
Started to drink cocktails

Aberdeen, Southampton, Australia and New Zealand

After three year in the navy came back to Aberdeen
Started work at a desk but decided not for him.
Worked in couple cocktail bars and realised had a flair for it.
He was good with flavours and people
Got bored and through a dart into map of Britain.
Landed in Southampton and after a nineteen hour bus ride he had applied for a job, got and interview and then started a job and made friends
Eventually opened up a cocktail business with a friend called Mix It.
After passing of his grandfather went back up to Aberdeen to be with his Mum
Got the wandering bug again and this time a bit large and moved to Australia
His boss did not pay his taxes and so he had one day to back up and leave for New Zealand
Lucky he went there because that is where he met his wife.

Aberdeen, Cumbria and Commercial Lubricants

Came back after six month on a holiday to Spain and then Aberdeen.
His wife loved it so much that they cancelled the return flights and stayed.
Although his wife did get in trouble with her parents because they did not say goodbye
Mark worked as assistant bar manager in most prestigious hotel in Aberdeen
Then his wife got wedding business opportunity in Cumbria but said would only move if Mark made bar manager. This is the number one wedding venue in the north.
Mark was asked to do a job selling commercial lubricants in Norfolk because he was good with people
Then they were pregnant and no family network so decided to move back to Aberdeen to get support

The Wandering Bartender

His wife is an elopement planner.
She saw a gap in the market where people would get married beside a Loch or on a hillside say their ‘I do’s' and then would have nothing else to do.
Her idea was to send Mark up with a rucksack and cocktail making equipment and he would make them a bespoke cocktail.
They get to keep recipe for the rest of their lives

The Wandering Bartender Bar and Services

Mark has constructed his own home made bar in lockdown which he showed on a live.
He got someone local to him to make a sign which looks fabulous
Mark has a professional collapsible bar which takes 10 mins to put up
For covid it now has a perspex sheet in front of it
He goes out to houses or events.
Either choose cocktails from an agreed list and Mark will make them
Or do master class where have 3 cocktails. 1st cocktail and 2nd cocktail shown and get to make and 3rd cocktail made themselves from whatever is in the bar
Training as well all over Scotland. Create menus for hotels and bars but mainly bars.
Most hotel bars get it wrong. Need to make sure simplify
If constructing menu would split down the middle.
20 cocktails on menu. 10 standard. 10 new age cocktails. Bar tender creations. Take input from staff and Mark’s twist
If were to do the Ritz in London. More in depth. Stick to about 20 cocktails. Every single one a bespoke cocktail.
Always encourages staff to talk to customer.
Make the cocktails all about the person

How would get started with cocktails ?

Remember two, one and half
Two shots of alcohol
One shot citrus
Half shot of sugar

Basic Equipment

Boston shaker e.g. two shakers or one glass and shaker
Hawthorn Strainer
Fine Strainer
Measure
Normal ice is fine don’t need to have crushed ice

Creating a bespoke cocktail for couple for wedding

How they met ?
What did you drink ?
Where they are from individually ?
Specific drink on a date
Favourite holiday destination ?
How drink Milk and no sugar - citrus cocktail dacquiri etc
Tea with no link - Manhattan, Martini, old fashioned
Sugar - fruitier sized cocktail
If from Sweden for example what drinks, what botanical.

Creative Process

Use nose a lot
Sniff alcohol first and then mixer and then both together
About personal taste
Taste individual components
Try not to drink too much. Save taste buds for other people.
Always taste cocktail before giving out.

The Wandering Gin

Most cocktails are gin based and could not find gin for cocktails. Was not perfection looking for
City of Aberdeen distillery. Go in and taste gins. Describe them and then 106 botanicals to choose from
Went in with what wanted. Citrus sweet led. Wanted Dacquiri based gin
Contain orange peel, lemon peel, kaffir lime, moroccan coriander and elderflower
Alan head distiller at City of Aberdeen distillery. Had to wait 2 weeks before could taste. Took 3 attempts.
Also uses organic neutral spirit. Twice as expensive but twice as good. No burning sensation

The Wandering Gin Flavour profile

Elderflower comes through when neat and soon as add tonic citrus is there. Every gin should work with lime and tonic.

Cocktails

Some bar people are very pretentious and will not serve cocktails because beneath them
All about serving something someone wants and then educating them to give them what they actually want
Mark shared an interesting story about an old bar manager.
If someone is drinking rum and coke all night. First serve this to them and if it is quiet enough ask why likes rum.
Then pour rum in a glass and ask to taste. Normally would say that is strong. Then add ice. Then add lime. Then apple juice. Then Dandelion and Burdock bitters.
Then go with that drink all night.
Taste something and trust.
Encourage that side of things
Give wider variety

Why did you start to sell The Wandering Gin ?

Was not intending to sell gin
Would always take with him and was very proud to talk about it and serve with Walter Gregors tonic.
Everyone wanted to buy.
Went to City of Aberdeen distillery and asked if could sell.
Now sell on their website.
First time this was done
Hoping to be in some local small stores soon

The Wandering Bartender Cocktail Competition

Competition still running at the moment.
2 more rounds.
Ran competition anonymously.
Non-cocktail making accounts.
Theme a week for 6 weeks.
This week outdoors.
Take a cocktail and take a photo
Cocktails produced are fabulous.
All participants have helped out and promoted it.

Small Gin September

Vanessa messaged him and asked if this would work. First to agree to be involved
Vanessa sent list of timing and when to post.
How to build up tension.
Just posted 1st day trivia.

The Wandering Bartender brand

Started with his wife’s elopement business and wandering up mountain sides to serve bespoke cocktails
Decided a bit too niche.
Also do master classes, parties and training and bring all under one umbrella

What does the Wandering Bartender brand mean for you ?

Everything to me.
Do for Family.
Meant to be fun.
Not meant to be serious because drinking is meant to be fun.
Show people right content and drink sensible.
High standards.
Marks personality.
Mark describes it best as “Me on a label.”

What is next for the brand ?

Contemplating franchise in England.
Use brand to help out. Kit out with brand and gin.
Do what he does in England.
Different Wandering bars in UK. Split England into 6. Always want cocktail and tapas bar.
Worked out how to ship gin round EU.
Too difficult to ship to Austrailia. The Wandering Tavern, in Wandering where his sister lives wanted some Wandering Gin but would cost £85 per bottle !!!

New Flavour

One last question.
Potential new flavour.
Currently talking with the City of Aberdeen distillery for Sloe gin.
Waiting for Sloe berries to appear.
Need 10kg of Sloe berries.

Get in touch

Website: https://www.thewanderingbartender.co.uk
Instagram: @the_wanderingbartender
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wanderingbartender1

What is your favourite gin other than your own and how would you serve it ?

Macintosh Gin Old Tom - great family business
Jim and Deborah got married recently.
Congratulations to them.
Best with Lemonade and pineapple.
3 products at the moment. London Dry, Old Tom, and Navy Strength

What does gin mean to you ?

Changed perception.
Nice for cocktail.
Wide variety of flavours and profiles.
50 in your bar no one the same.
Great gin community online apart from a few fractures.
Variety and community

Gin Community Shout Out

A lot has been happening this week.
Gin_Meets_Girl - Sorry about car accident but I loved your post about a go to gin. I have seen a live with
glassofgin_packetofseeds with the Otterbeck distillery Cotton gin. I am not surprised either that it is all over Instagram at the moment. Otterbeck distillery if you want to come on the podcast just say !!
Craft Gin Club - I have been paying more attention to their posts given that I have just joined and I really want to thank those people who welcomed me on my first post on Facebook.
I also wanted to talk about one of the post they put out until I am unable to download gin I will remain unimpressed with technology
Four Pillars also grabbed my attention again with another new product Rare dry Gin Organic Dark Chocolate
Stockport gin - staying in is the new going out trying to encourage you to a virtual tasting. What is your view on virtual tastings. Some people love them and others want to go to the distillery direct

Instagram Community Shout Out

Instagram shoutout this week is Bev from @gin_meets_girl.
She is a recent discovery for me but I love the fact first of all she works for are amazing NHS. I would like to thank you and your colleagues for keeping us safe. We really do appreciate it.
I really love her posts. They are really down to earth and tell a great story and always ask for engagement.
I have not really engaged. Will do in the future
Loved your last post about Stranger and Sons, from this months Craft Gin Club, and the fact it got you to order curry because it is an Indian gin
Your posts are always so vibrant and so well presented.
I think they must take you ages. All I can say is that it is all worth it.
Please continue to post your fantastic content and I will be a lot more engaging in your posts in the future.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 15 - Do you tell a story ?

Ben Hampson — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 15
Small Gin September
Brainchild of Vanessa @nessejay91 who not only is a fantastic mixologist among other things, see episode 8 of the podcast if you want to know more, she is inspirational.
Please get behind her and support this event. The first one is with @anfieldgin which will be over when this podcast comes out but check her feed on Monday for the next distillery.
Month long event dedicated to smaller distilleries / gin brands.
Each week distillery will post events / trivia or something else from Tues - Thurs
3 chances to win.
About engaging with these brands and getting to know the people behind the gins
Its about bringing fun and positivity to the community
Episode 12 Tristan Jorgensen from Massingberd Mundy has got himself into the craft gin club by being the new discovery gin for the month with Marie Jeanne

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Weekly Gin Recommendation - The Edge l’Orange
So I have been luck enough to join the WGN - the wizards gins network and to be able to have direct access to the Wizard of Alderley Edge.
Thank you to Mike and Clare for sorting that out for me.
This week the wizard and I created Merlin’s magic and it seemed only fitting, as I can’t say enough about this gin, that it was my weekly recommendation.
I normally steer clear of orange gin because all I taste is just that. The drinking of the gin is spoilt because I spend so long thinking how can I counteract the orange.
This has got me to the point that I actively avoid gins of this nature.
The nose is really interesting. It definitely has citrus notes and their is a subtle orange aroma.
Normally I would expect to have the flavour strike you first and then get sweeter but that is not the case with The Edge, L’Orange.
On tasting neat, you get a super smooth London dry, with a seemless orange taste throughout the flavour profile with a slight elevation of heat at the end.
For testing purposes I added my normal Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic. It was not overpowered at all. This is so unusual for a gin of this nature.
This would be an excellent accompaniment to any tonic I can think of.
I always assess how smooth a gin is to work out whether it would work as a dry martini. The answer is absolutely. Although I think I would have to call it the Alderley Orangetini.
The Edge L’Orange is a mixologist’s wizard toolkit. It is so versatile that it would be a great addition for many cocktails.

Do you Tell A Story

Story and Picture

Ben tells a little story of Ginignite and then explains how he would do it as bullet points
Then asks which do you prefer the story or bullet points ?
Importance of a picture to tell your story.
A picture really can speak a thousand words

Examples

The Edge Gin

The Edge Gin embraces in their brand wizards, magic, Alderley Edge and 3 different gins London Dry, L’Orange and Pear.
All images around The Wizard Of Altderley Edge. The Edge name. Easy to craft posts around this.
Easy to post about and tell a story

Vanessa (@nessejay91)

Vanessa always investigates about the cocktail, where it is from, the botanicals and the ingredients of the spirit she is using to evaluate what to put with it.
Plus most of her photos of her cocktails are always outside.

Kerri (@glassofgin_packetofseeds)

Kerri has a flair for gardening and bringing this into her cocktails
She uses flowers especially with cocktails and matches the colour
She used fruit when drinking The Edge Pear for example
Also has done a few lives now to add to the voice of her stories.

Jamie (@jamie_and_gin)

Outstanding colour combinations and presentation
Complementary colours
Good lighting
The right amount of props
Comprehensive tasting notes

Anfield Gin

Anfield Gin - story of father and daughter. Gave out random facts on Monday Mark and Chelsey. Football fans five botanicals tattoos.
Chatting with Andie and to others last week this exactly what people want to get to know the people behind the brand.

Pitwheel distillery

Heritage → Pitwheel
Mining, hardwork.
Pitwheel represents Wingate monument
Joke posts which is how I got to know them
Behind the scenes

Over to you

How are you going to tell your story ?
Think about trying to keep a certain consistency
For example I have gradually been honing how my grid looks on Instagram and I think I have finally sussed it
Think about whether your want to apply filters to your posts
Think about the lighting for your posts, colours and props. There is also nothing wrong with doing whatever you want. Just try to be different and tell a story
Thing about how you are going to write your post. Are you going to make it factual. Are you going to make it a bit zaney ?

Gin Community Shout Out

A lot has been happening this week.
Mermaid - I forgot to mention last week that Mermaid gin has a range of organic clothing produced by Teemill, which is the same company that I am using to bring out my signature range of clothes very soon
Stillgardendistillery - been loving the montage of crazy footage that they have been putting out. Would love to get them on the podcast just to explain what an experimental distillery does.
The Gower Gin Company - close to my heart because I was born and brought up in the Gower for the first 4 years of my life. They are also looking for Sloe pickers in the local area. See their Facebook page for more details. They are number 1 for innovation this week as they have started flat packing their gins in 5cl bags which can be recycled. Get their 4 key gins in the pack for £14.95. Amazing value.
Aberfalls announced recently that it can now deliver nationwide.
Sunrise nursery produced a door mat which made me laugh Knock, knock it’s gin o’clock. Please hide all parcels from my husband.

Instagram Community Shout Out

Instagram shoutout this week is to Netty from mothers_ruined_gin
I really like your presentation of your posts especially the one on Honeybee gin with the yellow flower. Plus you paired it with Mediterranean tonic which would totally be my serve too.
I love the Elderflower and Lavender Collagin and the fact the post is completely purple.
I liked your entry into the Gower gin company competion #gowerginpresents with Gower Almighty. I thought it was really inspired.
You have 1 or 2 competitions at least which have been really well received and I know I have been tagged once of twice for your Collagin competition.
Keep up the good work and look forward to your next post.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 14 - Andie Riches from Geordies Love Gin (@geordieslovegin)

Ben Hampson — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 14
Interesting thinking about what Ian from LogoGeek said last week
Discussed brand as folder in your mind
Key takeaway for me was thinking about who you are planning to appeal to with your posts
Think about a story to differentiate yourself and be unique don’t copy
Don’t think Mont CervGin will be taking off too soon but a guest coming up soon maybe able to help me with that one.

Weekly Gin Recommendation

This weeks recommendation is from the Penderyn Distillery and is Brecon Gin.
In 1990s friends in a pub were talking about creating a whiskey distillery and they 'dreamt of creating a whisky as pure and precious as Welsh gold, represented today by Penderyn’s ‘gold seam’. They did that. I loved the whiskey and so had to try the gin
They use the base grain spirit that they use for the whiskey and create a gin with botanicals from the four corners of the world
The nose is very much London Dry Gin i.e. heavily juniper based
The flavour profile begins with an initial sweet taste followed by a citrus and then with the dry juniper taste at the back of the profile.
This is a very smooth gin and 43% and goes nicely with a light tonic such as standard, Mediterranean or Elderflower.
It could easily lend itself to a cocktail and is smooth enough to work as a dry martini although would not be my first choice.
It has a proud place on my gin shelf and for anyone who loves a London Dry Gin with something a little bit special I can thoroughly recommend.

Andie Riches from Geordies Love Gin

Oral B Ambassador

Getting the word out about keeping your teeth healthy especially with delicious cocktails containing sugar
Was given a toothpaste target toothache
If you go to the page on Boots you can get 50% off using the code CALM50
Always go for gin with natural flavours and not much sugar.
Classic G&T drinker
Stay away from sugary spirits. Go with
Chocoholic. No sugary gin. Gin without sugar
Balance

Competitive Rowing

8 people in crew
Went to Women's Henley Regatta
In Nationals

Swimming

Waiting for pools to re-open
Strength and conditioning with Zoom
Sessions in local park now given that lockdown has been reduced

Mermaid Class

Talked about that Bens tail would be pink to match the log
Plastic covered in neoprene which you put both your legs into
Then add the lycra tail
Lots of mermaid activities like a treasure hunt finding jewels at the bottom of the pool and learning to blow Mermaid bubble
Get badges bronze, silver and gold
Having fun

How did you get into gin ?

Holiday in Ibiza
21st birthday
Quite pricey gin in copper glass with blue tonic
Tasted lush

Why did you choose Instagram ?

Liked pretty pictures
Enjoyed taking pictures
Way to look back on gin and how enjoyed it
Better to use Instagram rather than making written log

Why did you start posting more recently ?

Difficult time in lockdown
Hefty gin collection build up from Christmas and had time to open, try them and post
Let people know what going on
Did gin in a day May by @gin_a_ding_ding last year so decided to do it this year
Got inventive with posts
Then got bug

How do you select the gin that you post with it ?

From collection
Not post if not enjoy it
Like to post favourites and way of drinking it
If find different way to drink then will post

What makes a good post for you ?

Did a post on swimming pigs recently and went to local farm shop to take pictures with their pigs
Was lucky to be winner of Swimming Pigs gin
Pigs are very friendly and inquisitive and snorts very cute
Would love to eventually see actual swimming pigs in Caribbean

If look at some else post what works for you ?

Offers and deals
Want to know where they bought something and how much it was
Try something new
Clear image
What garnish it is ? etc

Live with Tristan from Massingberd-Mundy Mundy

Saw on stories asking if a ginfluencer would be interested in doing a live.
Decided would give it a go
Not done before
Hospitality industry has had a difficult time and wanted to local followers to see that these places are ready for business.
Ben though the live was really unique because it was in a restaurant
Mark is owner of the the restaurant called Caboose in Blyth
Located on river Blyth and see the river and sea
Use her own platform to help others

What would you do differently in a future live ?

Different location to keep things interesting
Market research with customers trying gins
Another cheeky discount code
Nothing currently planned at present

What qualities attract you to a brand ?

Local brands
Reducing environmental impact regarding plastic and packaging
Ben mentioned Mermaid gin as being really good on limiting their environmental impact, especially plastic and trying to source where possible local ingredients
Love to see people behind the brands
Get to know the people
Over lockdown lots of brands have been using live platform to promote gin
Nice when a brand recognise you
Ben was very humbled when he had something he wrote for The Edge Gin reposted

Holy Island Gin

Did not go to big supermarkets unless click and collect
Go to local farm shop once a week Moorhouse Farm in Stannington
Had good rules and guidance. Already wearing marks. Designated area to wash hands.
Made feel really safe
Have tasty produce and locally produced gins
Picked up Holy Island Gin
Really good engagement over Instagram with Holy Island Gin
Urge anyone in Northumberland to go and visit
Local and nearby and love Holy Island

How can a brand get more engaged ?

Like and comments posts
Competition and lives.
Andie did first competition a few weeks ago
Mutual contact between her and the distillery
Important to say competition not sponsored by Instagram
Liked doing the video of the drawing of the winner

Logo and Brand

Logo designed by Judith (Mum)
Name does what it says on the tin
Likes minimal stand out logos. Can change to anything like Geordies Loves Rum and Geordies
Gin deal page to try and benefit others
Website very new
Merchandise a bit of fun

Superlushcards

Separate account from Geordies Love Gin but cross posting between the two.
Judith has done some gin related cards. Cheeky, funny cards. Helps with ideas for gin greeting
Gin Christmas range coming out soon

Future Plans

Not go a lot planned for the future
Trying to find good deals

Contact

Instagram - @geordieslovegin
Twitter - @geordieslovegin
Website - https://www.geordieslovegin.com

What is your favourite gin and what would you serve it with ?

Law Gin, Ibiza
First distillery visited and favourite island
Light tonic and good wedge of orange

What does gin mean to you ?

Fun. Love gin in moderation.
Mum and Grandma can enjoy it together
Not just on your own
Missed Grandma in lockdown and now in bubble

Gin Community Shout Out

Tiger gin making me laugh with hilarious posts
The Gower Gin Company has has loads of posts. Look at #gowerginpresents. I like the winner The Usual Suspects by vickymason88 and also @an_elfs_ruin under milk wood
Stockport Gin I don’t feel hungover. I have gin flu !!
the_wanderingbartender - competition. This week it is James Bond. The entries are amazing. Check it out by going to the_wanderingbartender and voting

Instagram Community Shout Out

This weeks Instagram shoutout is to Carole of Grandmasginparlour
Love the fact you used to have Westies. You definitely get a thumbs up from me and a paw up from Rufus my Westie
I like your Grandmas Gin Parlour board that you present on
Really liked your presentation recently of the Gower Gin and the fact that Mr C was having Gwyr Rhosili - Dragon and you were having Rhamanta Gin
I liked the splash challenge that you did and I will forgive you that it was not gin
I liked the picture of you out after lockdown. It is always nice to see someone behind the Instagram. Something that I really need to do myself.
I like the fact that you try things in your posts and then refine them. e.g. when you tried the Highland Sling with the Rock Rose Gin Citrus Coast Edition and decided to dispense with the sugar syrup and just have the Elderflower posh pop.
Keep your posts going and thank you for your support.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 13 - Ian Paget from Logo Geek

Ben Hampson — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 13
Today I am chatting with Ian Paget from Logo Geek
Ian started Logo Geek in 2011 initially designing logos for friends on the side of his job as a Creative director and went part time 3 years ago. March full time
Ian has been featured in logo lounge, photoshop creative and net magazine and has been on the jury for design awards including transform awards, best brand award and visual identity awards to name few.
Thank you very much for the kind words from The Edge Gin after my Peartini Up post
@glassofgin_packetofseeds who said she liked watching my Instagram stories.
@Tristan.jorgensen_ made me laugh over the weekend when he just came up with a cocktail out of the blue, except it was orange Burrells Breeze
@girls_on_gin got to 3000 followers which is just amazing.
@theginlord - Thank you sir for your candid remarks on Instagram and for you guidance on how we should all behave. It was much needed and I can't thank you enough for your intervention.
I am starting very soon a service to help businesses get their voices out to a wider community.
If anyone is interested in working with me helping them to design a podcast, a voice over or help designing a campaign then please get in touch.

Gin Recommendation

Weekly Gin Recommendation is Whitley Neill Quince
I have been a fan of Whitley Neill for a long time. Although my palette is changing towards small batch gins and their amazing flavours I still have not found anyone that makes quince gin.
It is the quintessential English fruit that even many people in the UK have not heard of. Quince looks like a cross between an apple and a lemon and is usually served in a jelly form to have on your morning toast.
The nose of the gin is unmistakably Quince with an alcoholic undertone.
The palette profile starts with an initial sweet taste which tapers off into just quince. This is followed by a bit of heat and finally you get to the juniper at the back end.
I would serve this with a light tonic standard or Mediterranean and I am very partial to it now after the suggestion from @elliebee30 to having it with Elderflower.
A stronger tonic would destroy the flavour in my opinion. This would be great in cocktails. I am not quite sure whether it would work as a dry martini because I think the flavour is a little too sweet.
It is also nice just as a sipping gin. So much so I think I will have another !!!

Ian Paget from Logo Geek

How did you get into design ?

Always into art and won lots of competition at school
Worked at print finisher company
Wanted to do the stuff on the computer
Told needed to go to university
Worked at medical company at warehouse and got moved to team where some graphic design
After 5 years was quite experienced designer
Then went to web design agency and became creative director

Logo Geek

Worked on iPhone game
Finished this project and wanted to stop
Stopped for about 2 weeks and then partner at the time said why don’t you do logos
Started blogging about logos and posting things that had found on the internet
Built community
Created podcast
Pretty good for someone who is self taught to be asked to do the Cambridge University logo

Went part time

Demanding role as creative director
Decided had to give up either Logo Geek or Job
Did not want give up logo geek
Mum passed away and decided that did not want to regret not doing anything
Handed in notice and would work part time.
Keep stability of part time job

Went Full Time

Had baby. Going to work but partner would send pictures but not the same. Felt missing out
Felt like in Creative Director job was not doing something of significance
Felt like right time to leave.
Had leads coming in for Logo Geek
January this year handed in notice and went full time with Logo geek in March.

What factors would you consider when setting up a brand ?

Brand - a folder in your mind. Collection of memories of a company. Can’t control it but can influence it.
Brand Identity - packaging, illustrations, event, marketing materials, logo, story, advertising. Described as touch points. Gin is the whole bottle
Use Social media - manage meaning
Stand out from competition = branding. Branding is the art of differentiation
If no branding how would you pick the one you want if all gins looked the same
Packaging on the shelf differentiates you from others.

Need to have understanding how you want to come across to your audience

1. Who do you want to be as a gin / instagram account - location, heritage, special story
2. Direct Competition - when creating identity. You need to look different to someone else. Need to know which gin / instagram account is yours.
3. Who you are planning to target - who are you targeting to drink your gin / posts. Pin-point specific type of people age group / someone who likes a particular product.
You can work out the types of images that you want to use
Share images of gin being made
Could share images of how it used to be made
Create old fashioned photos with how it is made
Tell your story through images and video
Share experience of the story not just glass and bottle
Apple logo identify company and associations come from that. This is how a logo develops over time through use and association
Once create story then you can differentiate yourself

Who are you targeting ?

Type of gin to target to a very young audience people in early 20s → Images young, fun and punchy
Student images bright images in a nice club. bold. Different bottle shape Colourful
Type of gin which would attract people really into gin who have real understanding. Give it a bit of legacy. Packaging feels like around for a long time. One of the originals
Make video how it gin is made. Image style completely different
Old one bottle made in old way. Packaging looking in older one
Create a mood board. Pinterest
All about differentiation

Mont CervGin

For the purposes of this episode I have come with a made up brand.
Create gin brand for distillery based in Zermatt, Switzerland
Perfect mountain town with mountains all around and snow.
Gives you feeling of happy, joyous and calm.
Dominstated by mountain called the Matterhorn, the one on all the Toblerone bars.
In French it is called Mont Cervin
I am changing this to Mont CervGin.
Village wants to serve UK gin market and the mountain wants to serve gin (Mont CervGin !!)

Ians response to my brief

Initial brief. Need to understand as much as can.
Understand about the gin. London Dry Gin mixed with Cherries.
Cherries change the brief. Distillery in Switzerland
Initially just start website but then ideally move to other channels like Waitrose / Sainsburys then Europe and US

Where and how people would see it ?

Understand as much as I can about business, gin, competition
Need to know competition so don’t create similar identity
Always trying to differentiate
Understand type of person who want to target
Core gin drinker. Someone like small batch gin. Clean tasting gin work well with mixologists etc
Put information into bullet points and get to sign off to confirm it is correct
Working towards target which based on the information
Everyone looks at it objectively
Needs to speak to the right people.

Once initial brief agreed need to create mood board / stylescape

Create mood board or style scape
Include:-
Images which communicate everything spoken about
Images Swiss towns and Zermatt
Mountains
Snow
Calmness
Packaging examples might represent this brand
Pull together cherry images
Pull together image from any source
Provides extra clarity
Stylescape fonts images image of persona want to attract also colours
Some companies might do a couple. Worth getting down on paper.
Create something have reference point
Create something new based on that reference point

Hard to find good graphic designer.

Not like hiring electrician
Look at work done before. If you like the look and feel what they have done go with them
For gin packaging you may require an illustrator as well as designer
Loads of platforms like fivr but don’t know the experience of that person
Important to do research properly.
Make sure work in portfolio is there own work
If understand competition then know whether going to infringe trademarks.
Good designer will factor that in.
Once identity created then should obtain trademark, websites and respective social media accounts

How to contact Ian Paget

Learn more https://logogeek.uk
Twitter https://twitter.com/logogeek
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/logogeek/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LogoGeek/

What is your favourite gin packaging and how would you improve it ?

Hendricks

Liked bottle shape.
1950’s kind of style
Gave impression for more experienced gin drinker

Lone Wolf

Cool wolf illustration
Gave impression more younger vibe

Winchester Dry Gin

Stunning bottle.
King Arthur round table basis for logo.
Smaller label with monogram.
Cork is engraved has pattern.
Designers taken photo of patterns and textures.
Improvements to Packaging - simplify a bit.
Lots of very tiny details.
From distance be able to distinguish between lines

What do logos mean to you ?

Quite journey last 8 years.
Never planned Logo Geek to be what it is now. Community , podcast and book always design.
Always something new.
Passion for logos.
Fascinating topic and always buying books on the topic
Logos fascinate.
Integral part of society.

Gin Community Shout Out

Lot of markets starting to open up.
Chatted to a few distilleries who have started going to them.
Please support distilleries and buy from them as much as you can
Harrogate gin has been popping up all over the place
Tiger gin has been making me laugh with some hilarious posts. I loved the one with the cat which says when you were drinking tea but wish it was gin

Instagram Community Shout Out

This weeks Instagram shout out is @glassofgin_packetofseeds
She says she gets scared with lives but she seem to have done load now. The last one with Dundee had a few technical difficulties but she coped very well
Loved her live with @Tristan_jorgensen_ and with @otterbeckdistillery
Loved her post on the porn star martini
The post on the marriage of two gins from Massignberd Mundy was great. Really loved the story she told.
Sad that she has had to give up her passion of rugby but glad this has been replaced running after her two girls, who look absolutely delightful.
Not quite sure how she manages to fit everything in with her two girls as well as gardening and gin
Hoping to see her next live. She has just announced this after I recorded that it is going to be with @Tristan.jorgensen_.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 12 - Tristan Jorgensen from South Ormsby Estate (Massingberd-Mundy Distillery)

Ben Hampson — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 12
Today I am chatting with our first distiller on the programme about his career and his current role as Head Distiller at the Massingberd-Mundy distillery located on the South Ormsby Estate.
Tristan has been in the spirits business since 2005 where he started at the Laphroaig distillery on the island of Islay, Scotland
Now has two gins under his belt
Laura from Lavaspirits had an amazing launch. So amazing to be involved last week. Thank you to you the gin community for your support and praise.
If you listen in a podcast directory and could spare a few moments of time it would be great to have a review.
Ian Paget from the Logo Geek is coming on next week so if you have any questions about logo design or branding please submit your questions

Gin Recommendation

This weeks recommendation is The Botanist
If you want to follow this brand then follow @thebotanist on Instagram. They are amazing. They are always doing lives about the ingredients they have sourced. On World Gin day they tracked where people were making cocktails all around the world.
The bottle is really interesting not for the shape. It is the fact it has all 22 botanical latin names inscribed on the outside of the bottle. This creates quite a tactile feel when you pick it up to pour the second one !!!
The nose of the gin can only be described as botanical. It’s not the in your face nose you get from a London Dry Gin.
The taste well what can I say other than 22 botanicals hit your tongue all at the same time but they do so in unison. I have to say this is one of my favourite botanicals.
I think it is quite versatile and can be used with most tonics. It would also work with cocktails and I think it would work even as a dry martini albeit a bit decadent.

Tristan Jorgensen from South Ormsby Estate (Massingberd-Mundy Distillery)

Career

Moved to Islay, Scotland after a few holidays
Started in Laphroaig distillery as production operative
Moved back to Cheltenham and had chance meeting which led to working at Chase Distillery in Hereford where he was one of two distillers
Then moved on to Newton House in Yeovil as distiller London Dry
Consulted at Viper Gin and Dartmoor Whiskey
Finally came to Massingberd-Mundy

Massingberd-Mundy Distillery

Wanted distiller to come and build distillery from scratch
Given opportunity to move family to Lincolnshire
Still building. Started in August 2019.
Got new packaging
Getting sales
Licensing took 6-7 months

How does neutral grain spirit get turned into gin ?

Take spirit and dilute to 50% with estate water
Put into 120 litre still
14 botanicals for Burrells or 12 for Marie Jeanne
Put still on and then allow to macerate overnight
Distillation happens next day
Neutral spirit which is flavourless becomes gin
Mascerate and throw in botanicals is another method like you make sloe. This is called a compound gin
Different ways to distill using column still , vacuum still or pot still
Able to re-us ingredients - head and tails.
Distillation start have 3 parts
Heads - super strong and methanol
Hearts - flavour and right strength 82 - 68/69 %
Tails - once below 68/70% down to 0% then store that seperately
Still called Angelica
Ran Facebook competition and decided by public
For Burrells have flavour basket with Juniper, Citrus peel and fruit. This is to add depth to flavour profile

Two flavours of gin

Burrells - traditional London Dry with contemporary twist Nose fresh floral peppery citrus lots of juniper Palette Juniper led creamy sweetness and mouthfeel. Peppery Citrus. Fruity twist from Apple and Elderflower grown on site. Lingers on palette. Keeps giving. Mellows with tangerine
Marie Jeanne - pink gin. Red berries on nose Raspberries and Strawberries with hint of lime. Traditional London Dry. On palette sweet and then dry. Cranberry and hibiscus dry finish. Citrus and peppery undertones from lime and pink peppercorns. Finish does not last as much as Burrells. Almost marshmallow like finish
Signature cocktail The Holy Ghost Angelica Root syrup

Stan The Stag

Tristan has a stag stopper on top of his Burrells gin.
His stag is called Stan the Stag
Stan needs a doe mate called Lizzie
Does anyone know where Tristan can get one from ?
The search continues.

South Ormsby Estate

3000 acre in heart of Lincolnshire wolds
4 villages
1500 acres of parkland
Exclusive high end branding
John Thorns custodian of the estate. Breath life back into community.
Lincolnshire red cattle
Steak boxes / UKs largest beef smoker
Old Rectory - stunning holiday home
Work on the old school - Nursery ?
Hub for rural businesses
Always looking to expand

Advice For New Distillery

Take time, don’t rush
Whatever costs you have add at least 25%
Do research about who you are trying to target and build a profile
Identify barriers that this profile might have an work around them.
Plan for every eventuality. Always think of merchandising especially when choosing your bottle and labels.

New Flavour ?

Originally Tristan was going to start with 3 gins
Decide best to go with two gins.
Vitally important to get current 2 embedded within market. Won’t add any flavours at present
R&D happening macerated cherry gin on go, macerating blackberries gin on go

Bottles

Looked at shapes and sizes of bottle
Thought about practicalities of bottle. If short dumpy bar at front of bar
Wholesale route to supermarkets - fit into merchandising plan
Led to smaller, dumpy bottle. Really good quality glass. Got bubble in bottom like champagne
Shape of neck beautiful. Only company in UK who uses this bottle
Wanted one label not two. Worked with design company. Came up with putting portrait on other side of rear label.
Thinking about merchandising and customers buying with eyes
Portraits oversized so customers need to pick up to see it

How to get in touch with Tristan / South Ormsby Estate / Massingberd-Mundy

South Ormsby Estate

Website https://www.southormsbyestate.co.uk
Social
@southormsbyestate - Instagram
@southormsby - Twitter
South Ormsby Estate - Facebook
South Ormsby Estate - Linked In

Massingberd-Mundy

Website https://www.southormsbyestate.co.uk/products/distillery/
Social
@massingberd-mundy - Instagram
@massingberdmund - Twitter
Massingberd-Mundy - Facebook
Massingberd-Mundy - Linked In

Tristan

@tristan.jorgensen_ - Instagram

What is your favourite gin other than your own and how would you serve ?

Garden Swift - incredible gin. 37 botanicals organic blood orange, flowers and berries
So rich but so complex. Every time take sip presents something different
Take brain and palette on tour of so many flavours and spices
Drink neat to serve with ice, orange and fresh mint

What does gin mean to you ?

First memory was grandfather drinking gin with angastorra bitters
History of gin fascinates. Juniper played massive part in what gin is. Such a diverse category of spirit
Allow creative juices to push boundaries

Gin Community Shout Out

Four Pillar Gin has gone into jams Breakfast Negroni
Stockport gin has been ramping up their presence by going out to many indoor markets
Lots of IWSC awards especially
Pitwheel - Original Spiced - Sliver
The Edge Gin London Dry Gin - Silver
Lava Spirits Coffee Gin Bronze
Crawshay Gin - Orange Zest Gin - Bronze

Instagram Community Shout Out

This weeks Instagram shout out is @geordieslovegin
I love the fact that Andie and Judith are a daughter and Mum and do this together
Gincredible Warners London Dry Gin - dressed up
Marie Jeanne - two glasses and the rose. Really nice presentation
Ginfluencer post - public message to everyone reminding them that they had to wear a mask
Holy Island Sea Pink - two posts like the first washed up and the second presentation
She did her first live this week with Tristan and it was really good because it was really diverse being in a restaurant
Her posts are always fun
She also has a great logo and great sweatshirt
Also her Mum has started @superlushcards

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 11 - Laura Bridge from Lava Spirits

Ben Hampson — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 11
Today I am chatting with Laura Bridge from Lava Spirits about her journey to get to where she is now, her brand and more importantly her two brand new gins that she is releasing today.
If you listen to me in a podcast directory I would very grateful if you could review the podcast.
Keen to talk to distilleries about their journey and their brand.
Round of gin is going live on 10th August 2020

Gin Recommendation

This weeks gin recommendation is Pitwheel Original Spiced
I have been a big fan of Pitwheel ever since I was introduced to them via their hilarious posts on instagram and decided to take a punt.
I have tried all of Pitwheels gins and although I loved the Classic Dry and the Raspberry and Vanilla the original spiced just pips them to the post
Tried in June and I remember being worried about the spice -> Opihr gin
This gin is exquisite. The palette starts of as dry gin followed by a very mild spice
Just my cup of tea.
If your looking for a sensational gin and something just a bit different look no further.

Laura Bridge from Lava Spirits

Italy

Went to Italy because of redundancy from Random House and recession in UK
Wanted to take a year out and travel around the world and then come back after a year to see what was happening regarding recession
Went to visit friend in Florence, Tuscany
Fell in love with Italy and struck by culture and lifestyle and art and art history
Signed up for 3 month course and then stayed for 15 years
Working with small magazine like timeout for cities concentrating on events in Milan, Naples, Rome and Florence

London

Came back in millennium for personal reasons
Changed gear and transferred skills into city
For last 12 years in city working for offshoot of Fidelity investments in property investment arm
Loved multi-cultural vibe in city and night life
Gin bar around corner at back of St Pauls near to where based
Decided had enough in 2018 with city life, commute, stressful job etc

Move to Essex

Decided to get her Yorkie Narla and enjoy the Essex village in which she lives
Wanted to do something more creative where she can enjoy environment a bit more
Different type of stress but one she can decided how much she puts on herself

Gin Creation

First fruit was Sloe gin
Went down really well with family and friends
Spring after that went to many places and saw many fruits
Time in Italy gave love of food and flavours
Going back to Tuscan table
Making jams and fruit tarts. Only so much jam a girl can eat
Base spirit produced elsewhere
Masceration /compound method

The Big Reveal

Could not pick enough fruit unless have an army of people so what would work
What if I put coffee in gin ?
Had a play in the kitchen and really worked
Tried on friends and told this is not like Sloe gins "Laura you can't sit on this"
Spent last 18 months honing recipe, getting to know drinks industry and setting up the distillery
Two journeys one for coffee and one for gin
Learnt so much on her journey
Loving it now

Flavour Profile

Coffee strong flavour
Coffee led not juniper led
Tuscan table combine simple flavours which become complex in the palette
Very smooth. Sits nicely neat or on the rocks
Depth of flavours come in waves
Do actually get to the juniper but takes a while
Cherry, marzipan, vanilla and chocolate flavours
Juniper comes in waves
Base spirit has citrus which complements coffee
Premium London Dry

Twist on that Coffee and Orange

Heavy on citrus
Aroma of orange and zest
Really going to be favourite

7th August

Launch day
Ad campaign launches
Both gins will available on website https://www.lavaspirits.co.uk
Two sizes 35cl and 70cl
Coffee Gin and Coffee Orange Gins available in twin packs of 35cl
Later on will be available in other places.
Local bars doing a pre-launch trial

Mixologists

Gins likely to go down very well with mixologists and bar tenders to play around with
Laura has been working with a mixologist to develop signature cocktails for each gin
Versatile spirits
Lovely neat and on the rocks
Using this in long serves with Fever Tree Ginger Beer
Good with different flavoured tonics.
Good with darker mixers such as the recent ones brought out by Coca Cola
Twist on classic cocktails such as Expresso Martini or Coffee Negroni
Also used on desserts. Good for chefs. Tiramisu, ice cream or some fruit sorbets
Vanessa came on three weeks ago not last week !!
Not sweet on the palette
Sweetness comes from roasting of coffee beans
Great coffee bean can be destroyed by bad roaster
Artisan roasters bring sweetness out of the coffee
100% Arabica Coffee
True art

Brand

Quirky
Focussed on artisan side of things
Premium hand crafted gin
Bottles hand finished and hand waxed. Drew on experience from Italy. Italians managed to maintain artisan crafts
Label design journey in itself. Designer 3 nailed label. Previously latched on to lava spirits as molten lava. Nothing to do with lava spirits
Emphasis not on brand name
All about coffee. Clear bottle to allow liquid to shine through
Coffee gin has a splash of red berries to indicate coffee beans
Coffee orange gin has a splash of orange to indicate the orange.

Competition

Ask people to guess from a few snippets what lava means
You can win bottles of Coffee Gin and Coffee Orange gin
Will be a few post after live day on 7th August

Contact

Instagram - @lavaspirits -best one to use to contact

Twitter - @lavaspirits

Facebook - lavaspirits

Website - https://www.lavaspirits.co.uk

What is your favourite gin other than your own and how would you serve ?

Favourite Brockmans gin.
Took 10 years to develop before launch
Fabulous smooth and you can drink neat
Junipers wild from tuscany
Citrus and berry combination
Serve with simple tonic. Not flavoured tonic. Add in blueberry, blackberry and grapefruit
Simple uncomplicated flavours that combine really nicely that wow the palette

What does gin meant to you ?

Means everything
"Gin is my life"
Gin started at 18 because aspired to be sophisticated and classy
All about an experience about savouring a moment
Laura drinks gin when she wants to savour a moment and create a memory

Gin Community Shout Out

Anfield Gin gets a special shoutout Mark and Chelsey who are a father and daughter dynamic duo behind the gin. I feel an episode on the podcast coming with Anfield gin in it!!!
Martin Miller Summerful gin
Worthing gin great advert for a blow up bottle
Massignberd-Mundy - exciting new distillery. First live with @glassofgin_packetofseeds on Friday. Got new packaging showing South Ormsby Estate.

Instagram Community Shout Out

This weeks shoutout to @mothers_not_ruined_
Recently changed her logo. Last one good but this one is amazing turquoise blue background with her Dalmatian dog.
I found out after recording that there are actually 4 others in the pack too !!! The full pack is Dolly, Mia, Posh, Dior and Honey !!!
Her Dalmatians have also appeared in many of her pictures but not as much as I would like as they are beautiful
Liked her entries into drinkbledon especially the one with the tennis racket and flowers
Posts colourful and a great background
Really creative
Love the gin bramble courtesy of bloom gin redness and the glass with mothers not ruined
Blue post gin is always the answer.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 10 - Using a live to showcase a distillery's products

Ben Hampson — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 10
I have had some really lovely responses indicating that you are enjoying the podcast including 2 photos of the podcast directories !!
Really excited about the episode for you next week but unfortunately I have to keep my lips sealed at the moment !!
Drinkbledon also at an end. Thank you to @socialgingirl for putting it together. Congratulations to @theginjen for winning
Sadly Juniper July comes to an end today but #flatlayginday is hopefully coming very soon. Keep posted. Congratulations to Emma from @an_elfs_ruin for putting it together
Round Of Gin due to go live very soon. Keep an eye on @roundofgin. I will post once it is live along with my fellow reviewers

Gin Recommendation

This weeks gin recommendation is Mermaid Gin
Really great mermaid posts
Ethically Source Ingredients and Local
Committed to sustainability and conservation
Eliminating plastic from packaging / supply chains
Love the brands credentials before get to gin
The bottle has indentation like scales and is a beautiful sea like colour
Nose not like normal London Dry.
Strong spirit like brand but really subtle. Lemon zest ?
Taste reasonably smooth gin it almosts tingles over your tongue a bit like the sea with the rock samphire playing a little tune.
This goes with most tonic and would be lovely in a cocktail but sadly I don’t think is smooth enough for a dry martini.
Welcome addition to any gin shelf.

How would you showcase a distillery products

How does a small distillery get in front of the community / customers ?

Off the top of my head small business:-

Website
E-Mail List
Instagram posts and instagram reviews
Also Twitter / Facebook
Also YouTube Chase Distillery fantastic 360 degree virtual tour
Get on podcast
Finding new channels e.g. local bars / restaurants etc

Lives

Works if you trust those people
Best if you get them into the distillery
Travel difficult at the moment
Generally though lives of one person tasting or possibly live with the distiller. All of which are good

My background

Project manager
Avid On Line Business Follower - seen plenty of lives from one side of the fence
Small business owner with a number of brands
I think very carefully about my brand and how it is perceived.
Not enough to look at logo
Podcaster understand importance of sound and description and try to provide compelling content

How does a small distillery get in front of the community ?

Big problem for distilleries getting in front of clients
Issue with travel

Pitch Idea To Distillery

I was going to pitch this idea to some distilleries as a business opportunity
Thinking about it much better to see if there is an audience for it.
What if you had a live on a single platform which included a mixologist, the distiller and a host
What if the audience paid the distiller before hand for a tasting selection and then got involved by tasting live with the panel
Everyone is happy can taste along.
Get mixologist and distiller view along the process and get to taste and showcase a great brand.

User interaction

What do you think about this ? Would it work for your brand ?
As an audience member would you be prepared to pay for this ? / Expect Distillery to Pay ? / Discounts ?
When I send out the post at 14:00 for the podcast I would be very grateful if you could put down your thoughts.

Gin Community Shout Out

Chase Distillery 360 Degree Virtual Tour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSL34YALbrg
Vanessa @nessejay91 Anfield Gin @anfieldgin, Pitwheel @pitwheeldistillery, Stonewall @spiritofstonewall, Agnes Arber @agnesarbergin
Altitude Gin - thanks @jamie_and_gin for pointing this gin out
Massingbird Mundy - Marie Jeanne Pink Gin caught my eye. Not only does it sound amazing the bottle and liquid inside is stunning.

Instagram Community Shout Out

Shout out to Carissa and Lisa from @PoshGinBirds
From where I was born in Swansea. So tick in the box from being from South Wales.
Very recently become brand ambassadors for Cardiff Distillery which is really exciting
Such vibrant posts. Seem to pick a colour palette and go with it
Orange - Loved their Georgia Gin Cocktail which had peach melba schnapps and crawshaygin and orange juice
Yellow - Stockport gin from Selfridges
Green - crawshay gin heart and drink
Favourite gin duo
@poshginbirds

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 09 - 4 Week Podcast Review

Ben Hampson — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 9
The four week review feels like months in a good way
To think before this I could not even add to my stories. Now they seem to be bumper edition all the time !!
Thank you for accepting me into the gin community.

Gin Recommendation

This weeks gin recommendation is The Edge Gin Pear
I reviewed this last week on Instagram and I think this is real addition to any gin shelf.
Mainly because it is different
The nose of this gin is really interesting because it smells just like a London Dry but there is something in addition which indicates it is slightly sweeter with a very mild pear aroma.
On tasting neat, as I always do, the pear was really at the forefront of the initial taste but it was not too in your face nor too tart. It was in fact just right. This was followed by a sweeter pear taste.
The pear was not too overpowering as it often is in many other alcohols including some gins that I have tasted before !!!.
I paired this with a Mediterranean fever tree tonic for testing purposes but it would easily be at home with an Elderflower or standard tonic. It would be a happy addition to a cocktail but you would need to complement the flavour otherwise it would get lost.
I would be very interested to try this as a dry martini.

4 Week Review

The Show

Wanted to have a bit of me, you and the gin time
Use time wisely drum up support for being on the show podcast.star@ginignite.com or DM me.

Reviewers usually pay for their gin !!!

Wise advice → first starting up → No freebies
Gutted because I thought the podcast might be given gins !!! Shows my nativity initially.
Most of the reviewers find the same. Either win or buy there own gins.
If as a distillery you do decide to get reviews go out to know organisation such as round of gin reviewers or known reviewers that you have dealt with in the past.
We want to stamp out people just taking freebies and then not reviewing or doing what they said they would.

Guest Review

Really pleased to have the legendary Nikki Mendes from The Only Way Is Gin.
I know the brand, gin school, bar and signature gin are all going to be very successful.
We will be following her progress on the podcast.
Also had the inspirational Vanessa last week.
My life will never be the same again after having a cocktail named after me. The Bendalorian
I also liked the fact we got a chance to talk about the Hibbs Lupus trust and LGBTQ+ because it reminds me how accepting this gin community is.

Podcast Support

There is always room for more and I would love you to tell your story to the gin community
I would also appreciate a bit of support if you think that I am missing something that you would like me to highlight.

Thanks to Three Distilleries

I would like to thanks to three distilleries for their fantastic service to the gin community.

Pitwheel Distillery
Spoken about before but they are amazing on their turnaround of orders and how they keep you informed
They are also award winners LSC - Bronze for Classic Dry and Raspberry and Vanilla and Silver for Original Spiced.

The Edge Gin
There Pear flavour blew me away and it is why it is this weeks recommendation
It has also received a LSC Bronze which is amazing.
The customer service, environmental packaging and overall magic of this company really inspires me to support them more.

Martin Miller
Martin Miller have been really supportive of the podcast and even included me on their Instagram story on Tuesday and Wednesday which is an absolute honour
I am hoping to get them on the show in the very near future
Their London Dry Gin is a necessity in my opinion for any gin shelf.
It is so smooth.

Drinkbledon

I also want to shout out to @socialgingirl for Drinkbledon. Sad that it is not Ginbledon II as I like the fact it is only open to gin, but I am biased.
This has been amazing to watch in round 1. The creativity is amazing. The quarter finals today Tuesday were amazing.
Cannot believe the creativity and the attention to detail.
I am also gutted that some of the entries did not go through because I thought they were sensational
I have spoken to @socialgingirl and there maybe something coming soon but it is under wraps for the moment.

Juniper July

I also want to shout out to other very special people in the community and that is @an_elfs_ruin with Juniper July
She has created such a vibrant community and willingness for a challenge and engagement. I think perhaps more than she thought.
I know a lot of people in the gin community that I see go mad for this challenge and I look forward to new challenges.

#FlatlayGinDay

Poor me has ear chewed off by excitable elf.
Messaged Emma asking if she was doing any more challenges.
Got told next week and then got a phone call today
I have talked to Emma and the Elves and I am delighted that if you go to:-
https://anelfsruin.com/2020/07/24/flatlayginday you can find out more
Emma has been amazed at the industry and like minded ginenthusiasts who have embraced Juniper July
The challenge month has seen such variety and creativity of everyone that has been involved
Interpretations of the theme time and effort gone in + details and descriptions that has accompanied images
Uplifting and got her and her Elves thinking of another challenge
Imagine a country fayre. The Veg tent.
Home grown produce, floral displays and home crafts all for the honour of Rosettes
This year unlikely that seeing it in that format

The Challenge

Challenge inspire creativity and requires some effort
Return = reward. Elves love treasure and so does the gin community
Everyone likes a bit of healthy competition
Who does not like a topic, element of competition and as we all know the Ginstagram family loves a flatlay

How to get involved ?

New topic will be released Sat / Sun TBC giving time to think and prepare a post
Participants have to post by the following Friday using hashtag #FlatLayGinDay, the relevant topic, Name and tagging @an_elfs_ruin & sponsor for the week.
Sponsor judges posts and comes up with winner who gets a prize and runners up who get rosettes.
Most likely winners will be announced day before next topic is released
Judging based on all elements of post not just visual but description and how interpreted
Open to all

Purpose

Meet ginthusiasts, share knowledge, challenge and brand awareness
Hopefully run over 6 week period 6 challenges 6 sponsors
Inspiration #FlatLayFriday

Gin Community Shout Out

If you have a new product like Worthing Gin Orange Blush then let us know we are happy to get the word out there.
Easiest to IM me but can also get me on gin.gossip@ginignite.com

Instagram Community Shout Out

Shout out to @gin_and_blooms
I loved her two entries for #Drinkbledon
I think she has an amazing sense of being able to get flowers or fruit into most pictures be it in the shot itself or in the drink
I think it is amazing that she works for the NHS
I like the multitude of colour she gets into her posts
Please support her and if you are not already following her why not ?
@gin_and_blooms

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 08 - The Art Of Mixology with Vanessa

Ben Hampson — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 8
Please support pubs and restaurants around the world
If you stay home drink gin and support distilleries
Please drink responsibly

Gin Recommendation

This weeks gin recommendation is Martin Miller’s gin
I think this is probably my joint favourite with Pitwheel's Classic Dry. I am sorry I called it Original Dry in the episode !!
They ship the Icelandic water from Iceland and distill in the UK
The nose is like any other dry gin in the glass but in the bottle it almost has a faint similarity to Cajun
The taste is very dry as you would expect but smooth with a sweet finish.
I would as you can imagine I pair this with a Mediterranean tonic but it would be quite at home with standard or Elderflower tonic.
I also love it served as a dry martini
I think it could be part of a cocktail but you would have to be careful not to overpower it.

The Art of Mixology

Vanessa

Today we are joined by Vanessa
Vanessa is an ambassador for the Hibbs Lupus trust, fitness and mixologist, studies for an MSc in Psychology and still finds time to walk her dog and listen to the podcast

Hibbs Lupus Trust

Vanessa was diagnosed in 2006 at the very early age of 15.
Normally it is in your thirties. Felt very alone.
The Hibbs Lupus trust headed up by the fantastic John and Viki Hibbs who created the charity in 2011
The charity aims to bring peoples attention to what they do and how they support Lupus sufferers across all age groups
Difficult with Covid to help with fundraising efforts
Find out more https://www.hibbslupustrust.org

Start Of Mixology Journey

Cart girl on golf course offering drinks and snack.
Found common request Blood Mary.
Went from Bloody Mary to Pina Colada to TGI Friday cocktails where you had a sugar hangover and a hangover all at the same time
Then moved from whisky to gin and everything in between
Started with a cocktail book and created the perfect classic cocktails
Then expanded on the rules to create a unique cocktail

How would you describe mixology ?

Second level in a department store with secret collection of clothing range that you want to get into
There are people at the front of the second level saying I am not sure you can get and everyone else saying come in this is not an exclusive club.
Everyone has foundation to do mixology
Expanding into other spirits or just play with gin
Going beyond tonic pairings

What qualities do you need ?

Research the gin. Look at its history, region, the cocktails on the company website and the botanical profile
Categorise gin
Spicy
Citrusy
Fruity or Crispy
Piney
Are there berries
Floral
Play off botanicals or partner up
Understand what is in the alcohol to pair with

How do you get started ?

Clover club cocktail
Simple
Blueprint to play off in to variations e.g. expand into mango

What tools do you need ?

Bar kits (Asda had good deals)
Two shaker tins
Muddler - stick with spikey head
Conventional Strainer
Fine Strainer

Should you shake or stir ?

Dependent on cocktail
If carbonated component don't shake !!
May shake non-carbonated components to ensure they infuse and partner together.
Dependent on the person drinking to decide on whether they wanted shake or stirred
Everyones different which is the beauty of mixology

What is the process of creating a cocktail ?

What does a bar sell the most of ?
Demographics and age range
Social groups that revolve around specific time of the year
E.g. LGBTQ+ revolve around pride.
Can we make rainbow drinks which acknowledge all colours to include everyone in the spectrum ?
Reputation and how people perceive the restaurant
Where is the gin distilled. ?
What is distilled in the gin?
How does it come across ?
Description on website.
What do I smell and what do I taste ?
Pair it with botanical or something unique e.g. making your own syrup such as apple and cinnamon
Think about where made and how can it stand out

How do you get inspiration for what to put in a cocktail ?

Look at distillation process
If have lemon and orange botanicals then might add a more citrus based ingredient to your cocktail.
Spiced gins fun opportunity to play with tomato for example to create a distant cousin to the Bloody Mary
Add coriander and sugar to balance taste
Sipsmith Chilli and Lime could also be fun

How should you taste gin ?

Smell it first and think of the botanicals
Write down the botanicals
Then put in a shot glass and sip slowly

Collaborations

Work with brands you like and are familiar with
Manhattan cocktail reached out to Vanessa and got exposure before their gin goes to market later on this year
She used the Winterbacher gin from Manhattan cocktails to post various cocktail ideas on Instagram
Stonewall different in that Vanessa reached out to them because of their LGBTQ+ support
Looking forward to it because really fun and eccentric and lots of colour including ice cream

LGBTQ+

Import to showcase that people are different
Everyone needs to tolerate views that people have whether they understand them or not
Good that a partnership like Stonewall does this in a fun way
Vanessa mentioned on her post about Stonewall that she struggle with her sexual orientation.
It took being in Hillcrest, San Diego and the support of inclusive and accepting community that she now has a platform to encourage acceptance.
Move towards a world where people are a bit more open and accepting of who individuals are

Gin Community

Very inclusive and kind
Some nice comments that were unexpected for Vanessa on various posts she had put out

Contact

Send IM to Vanessa who is a message away
Vanessa can be contact using nessejay91

Favourite Gin

Agnes Arber Rhubarb gin with Martini and Aperol

What does gin mean to you ?

Huge creative outlet
Creative process
Amazing who it has connected Vanessa with

Gin Community Shout Out

Hope all went well with Worthing Gin on Saturday and Sunday launching their new product.
I am desperate to help distilleries succeed.
I have two key messages to small distilleries which kind of reiterate what I have said.
Have miniatures so your gins can be tasted first.
Think about how you package everything up. The hand written note I got from The Edge gin really made my customer experience. That is not something bigger distilleries can do.

Instagram Community Shout Out

Shout out to jamie_and_gin.
Posts really detailed and give you a real insight to the gin she is tasting.
The way she presents and what she is talking about is really inspiring.
For example she had a really lovely post with a picnic basket and another post where she had Pitwheel Raspberry Gin, some summer fruits and tonic.
Her sense of colour is really great and the lighting is always good.
If you have not already check her posts out they are really worth it.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 07 - Nikki Mendes from The Only Way Is Gin

Ben Hampson — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 7
Pubs and restaurants opened up in the UK
Support them or stay in and drink gin and support distilleries instead.
Either way by drinking gin you are helping.
Please drink responsibly

Gin Recommendation

My weekly gin recommendation this week is Aber Falls.
Nestled in the village of Abergwyngregyn near to Aber Falls waterfall, where it takes it's name.
The nose of this gin is like any other London Dry Gin.
It is smoother than Gordons but not as smooth as Martin Miller or Pitwheel Classic Dry.
This is a really lovely London based gin but with a little of spice which almost gives a hint of the botanicals.
Great with most tonics including Elderflower.
I would server with Fever Tree Mediterranean !!

The Only Way Is Gin

How did you get into gin ?

Nikki worked for 20 years for Tesco as a HR Business Partner and Programme Manager
She started her gin journey working with an acquaintance to help her setup her brand and get her gin to market.
After making a few contacts she really got engrossed in the spirit business and she thought "I am going to do this then !!"
She booked on to a course with Jamie Baxter who is the leading master distiller in the country
Did a five day course. By day 3 she had registered her business and all social media accounts and domain names

Signature Gin

London Dry Gin
Citrusy gin
Non-complex gin ideal with G&T !!!
Botanical in there related to Essex. Nikki won't reveal what this is !!
Hope for production in 2 months time

Brand

Bold and vibrant and bottle will "pop off the back bar or shelf"
Far more depth to the brand than you would expect
Classy and quality
Friendly and approachable
Sassy
Hidden depths

Bar

First thing you will see is the copper still
All gin produced on the premises
Local competition in Chelmsford to name the still
Based on Austrailian bar called Donny's bar in Sydney
Modern industrial look with wood and scaffold poles
High benches made out of wood
Full stocked bar with locally produced items
Lots of different ways to experience the Only Way Is Gin Signature gin

Gin School

On the second floor of the building
Self contained ideal for a corporate hire, birthday party or book on individually via an on line booking process
10 mini stills set up round the room on high wooden benches
The mini stills are 2.5 litres and will produce a 70cl bottle of gin within 20 minutes once they reach temperature !!!
Offer between 80 - 100 botanicals to add to your gin
Shown around facility including bottling etc
The experience lasts for three hours
At the end chance to shake up a cocktail
Hoping to open in November 2020

Contact

If you want to get in touch with Nikki then you can follow her on Instagram here @nikkimendesuk
The landing page to sign up for updates is here

All things gin

Favourite gin is Brockmans served with Fever Tree Light and garnished with a few blueberries
Gin means everything to Nikki. It is her world at the moment.
Gin means to her good times and bringing people together whether that is gin community online, to learn about gin in the gin school or coming together for a drink
Gin brings a smile to peoples faces and means good times.
Pleased to be part of a gin community which is such a happy place

Gin Community Shout Out

Four Pillars have just brought out Bloody Shiraz Gin
Worthing Gin are out in their van on Worthing seafront on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to the evening
Isle of Wight Distillery is opening up. Mmm more Mermaid gin
Pentone low calorie gin have rebranded and you can now pre-order Red Storm or Ocean Storm gin

Instagram Community Shout Out

My shout out this week is @geordieginqueen
Hello your majesty.
I adore your posts.
I don’t know how many boards you have but you must have a room full of them !!
I love your attention to detail
They really add to your posts and they really showcase the gin you are displaying.
Congratulations for getting to 5000 followers.
I have also really honoured to be asked to be part of the team with @roundofgin.
Follow @roundofgin to discover the new website coming very soon that will sign post you to distilleries all over the world

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 06 - My introduction into small batch gin

Ben Hampson — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 6.
Absolutely amazed at the response to the podcast.
Really pleased that so many people have liked it so much.
Warners have brought back Strawberry and Rose Gin which looks amazing.

Gin Recommendation

I am going to talk about small batch gin a bit later but I almost see this gin in the same way
The potatoes are grown on this farm and then turned into vodka.
The vodka has 10 botanicals added to it, in their still Ginny, and it becomes Chase GB gin from the Chase Distillery.
This is a London Dry gin category and is one of the smoothest gins that I have tasted.
Be careful though it has a very delicate taste and would work with a standard tonic or Fever Tree Mediterranean but not in my opinion with an Elderflower or Blood Orange.
It may possibly work with a Cucumber tonic.
It comes with a bow tie and has a proud place on my gin shelf.

Story Time

Let me let you into a little story
I have been seeing lots of amazing posts by the pit wheel distillery on Instagram
So I decided to get in touch and I got such a nice response I thought do you know what I am going to try them
I am a novice at purchasing small batch gin so I did what I normally do and looked in my local supermarket
If I can’t find it there I go to my friend Amazon
Pitwheel gin is not available there either
So I go directly to their site and sure enough there is gin available

Great Customer Service

Now here is the best bit I order it and 21:52 on Thursday and get told it will arrive no later than Tuesday
On Saturday I get the parcel I was expecting on Tuesday.
Suddenly ordering on the website does not seem to be such a bad idea
I like over delivering customer service
In the box are three nicely pack gins in straw and each with their own bubble wrap
I unwrap them
Classic Dry Gin
Original Spiced Gin
Raspberry and Vanilla Gin, the one I really want to try

Last Saturday Night

So I sit down on Saturday.
Just about to go for the raspberry and vanilla gin
I think to myself do you know what I will dry the classic dry gin
I suspect it will be like all the other London Dry gins I have tasted in the past so I might as well get the disappointing one out of the way first

Classic Dry Gin

WOW
So smooth with almost a very, very slight taste of parma violet.
If you are looking at getting into small batch gin this is definitely worth a first purchase.

Original Spiced Gin

OK well that was unexpected so I thought long and hard.
I still had half of the Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic left
I decided to go for Original Spice instead of Raspberry and Vanilla.
Tasted and waited for the spice to hit my palette
Was thinking it might be the same strength as Opihr gin
What I got was a beautiful smooth tasting dry gin with a very subtle spice flavour.
Nothing like what I was expecting to get.
This gin is exquisite.

First World Problems

My only problem now is after all that I never got to try the Raspberry and Vanilla gin.
It is still on my desk ready for tasting on Friday night !!
An even bigger problem if I had to choose between the two gins which would I choose.
The honest answer is I just don’t know.
Well done Pit Wheel Distillery. I absolutely love your gin. I know I am going to have to move on to try other gins but it is going to be really difficult to part !!

Gin Community Shout Out

Top tip if you are a small batch distillery make sure you sell miniatures so people can try your range before you buy.

Instagram Community Shout Out

My shout out this week is nessyjay91
I love you Winterbacher Wunderland signature cocktail.
I would never have thought of adding apple and cinnamon infused syrup.
I also love the fact you are always exercising.
My idea of exercising is walking the dog.
Those dumbbells you were lifting this week. I am not sure I could have lifted them let alone squatting with them.
I was getting tired just watching you.
Keep going with you mixology you have definitely got a talent for it.
Look forward to seeing your future posts.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 05 - The Ginignite podcast goes live. Get the gin out !!!

Ben Hampson — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Hello and Welcome to Episode 5.
Today the podcast is finally live and I am so please to bring it to you.
I am also very grateful to all those people for their perseverance into the new world of podcasts. I know listening to podcasts can be daunting at first.
My big news for the week is obviously this podcast and my sadness that it missed launching it on world gin day.
I am ashamed to admit that I did not know up until this year when it was held.
Just think of the gin I have missed out on !!!

Gin Recommendation

My weekly gin recommendation this week is Whitley Neill Raspberry gin.
The taste is just like raspberries on a summer day
It is a versatile gin because it can be paired with a tonic like Elderflower or Mediterranean to bring out the flavour a bit more
Also great in cocktails.
My benchmark for fruit cocktails.
See episode 2

The Gin Ignite Podcast is Live

I have release 5 episodes including this one
So there is plenty of content to get you started
Episodes released
Episode 01 - What is ginignite and why should I listen ?
Episode 02 - Finding your gin and your tonic
Episode 03 - My gin kingdom for a glass
Episode 04 - Gin Meets Top Of The Pops
I would love you to be on the show.
If interested please get in touch with me either via instant message on Instagram @ginignite or podcast.star@ginignite.com
What does GIN stand for
G = grab gin at least once a week
I = innovate with different gins to find your favourites
N = not one - it is important to perfect you gin tasting and so you need to have more than one
Over the next few weeks I have got some great content planned. If your interested in some sneak previews then follow me at @ginignite where I will reveal new stuff happening
Finally if you are a distillery with a new product, new tour or opening back get in touch
If you are a bar owner who is opening back up then let me know and I will announce it here
If there is a festival you are part of something else gin related that you want people to know about let me know either via DM @ginignite on Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter or gin.gossip@ginignite.com

Gin Community Shout Out

In this episode I want to give a shout out to all followers of @ginignite.
I really appreciate you and the amazing stories you bring to the gin community.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Bonus Episode - Relax with Gin

Ben Hampson — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 23:30:00 +0100

WARNING this is not a normal episode. Only play this episode after a hard day !!

We all have hard days either because someone has been mean to us, our boss is nasty to us or we just woke up the wrong side of the bed or a myriad of other reasons.

Sometimes you just want someone to take over and talk you through a relaxing routine.

That is what this episode is all about.

Just put this on and I talk you through getting your gin and tonic, getting into your favourite relaxing clothes and talk you through relaxing your body from your feet to the top of your head.

Enjoy

Episode 04 - Gin Meets Top Of The Pops

Ben Hampson — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 23:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

No news for the week.
More news in Episode 5.

Gin Recommendation

Revealed in Episode 5

Gin Meets Top Of the Pops

Today I am going to go through my top 5 gins. Just like top of the pops I am going to go in reverse order.

In at number 5

Torn to choose some of the Whitley Neill other gins. Especially:-
Blackberry
Goosberry
Number 5 has been chosen.
It is Whitley Neill Raspberry Gin
This gin tastes like raspberries on a summer day
Tastes amazing on its own
Not sure could have as liqueur but almost
Great with Mediterranean tonic
Working on Raspberry Daquari

In at number 4

Very tempted to put in Chase which lost out by just a whisper
Gin given as a present
Also lots of amazing gin from Wales
In at number 4 is Aberfalls
Talked about this before featured it on Instagram
Amazing flavour which is traditional London gin but very smooth
The flavour follows through with almost a botanical taste
Thoroughly recommend this.
Would also be tempted to have this in a dry martini as well it is that good
Quite delicate so be careful what you pair it with

In at number 3

This spot was probably the biggest fight for gins.
Love Brecon
Love Mermaid
Love Gunpowder
However the winner and in at number 3 is The Botanist
On Instragram you see how passionate they are about the botanicals
You see them going live
This is like a botanical taste sensation in your mouth
There are some amazing ideas for using this in cocktails
Also great with tonic. Again I would be careful about putting it with a strong tonic.

In at number 2

Can’t lie no real contest
My favourite London Dry Martin Miller
They distill in the UK but they use Icelandic water
Don’t think you can get a more crisp gin
The best thing in dry martini
Delicate flavour but smooths out any cocktail

In at number 1

Difficult to decide between these other 4 but always knew that I would choose it.
Whitley Neill Quince Gin
Great on its own
Great with tonic. I have not tried it with Elderflower yet but that was recommended to me very recently
I would choose Mediterranean tonic
In the UK very difficult to buy as a lot of supermarkets stopped stock it
I may have to start a petition to get it put back in supermarkets !!
Usually available on Amazon

Gin Community Shout Out

I am keen to help any business that has been affected by Covid.
If you are starting up again, have an event coming up or have a mini - festival please get in touch and let me help you to publicise it on this podcast.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Instragram Community Shoutout

Shoutout to @ginqueen_kilpatrick.
You always have some unique insight and great stories
She always put her new followers in a story which is a really nice touch and something which I need to do more
She is heavily involved with the gin blogging community which is definitely something I would like to be involved in

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 03 - My gin kingdom for a glass

Ben Hampson — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 22:30:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

No news for the week.
More news in Episode 5.

Gin Recommendation

Revealed in Episode 5

My Gin Kingdom For A Glass

Types of Glass

Gin has gone on such a renaissance over the last few years and so has the type of glasses we use.

High Ball Glass

Gin was always traditionally served in a highball glass or a tall glass.
This is also used for cocktails. I forgot to mention this in the podcast !!

Tumbler

In my family gin was always served in a tumbler or a small round glass. I think because there was an excuse to have more gin and less tonic !!!
Nowadays the gin glasses has got really funky.

What is the right glass ?

The truth is I don’t think there is a right glass.
I think there is only one important person here and that is you.
If you think the right glass is a tumbler then go for that. You will certainly get a stronger drink !!!
If you like a tall high ball then go for that.
I like a hi-bred glass which is a Fever Tree glass which is a bit taller than a tumbler but not quite as high as a high ball glass.

Spanish Type Glass

The Spanish gin glass (copa de balon) is the only real option if you want ice.
This is like a balloon glass which is large and perfect to hold ice, gin and tonic.
If I had to choose one glass type it would be this one.

Cocktail Glass

Now I hear a few of you saying hold on a minute what about gin cocktails. Don’t worry not forgotten
I love a Dry Martini. I recently discovered a Martin Miller dry martini which is absolutely amazing. In this case you use a traditional cocktail glass which has a stem and then like a V shaped round glass

Champagne Flute

The last glass is for those gorgeous gin cocktails with champagne or bubble, the flute.

Have I missed any glasses ?

Do you have any special glasses you use that I have missed. Please get in touch

Gin Community Shout Out

I am keen to help any business that has been affected by Covid.
If you are starting up again, have an event coming up or have a mini - festival please get in touch and let me help you to publicise it on this podcast.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Instragram Community Shoutout

Shoutout to @ginmotherlover.
I love your dog Kassi sorry she got wet last week !!!
I particularly like the fact that you think @girls_on_gin are amazing and you are always walking the dog.
A job I always seem to be doing too

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 02 - Finding the gin for your tonic

Ben Hampson — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 22:00:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

Very sad that world gin day has gone by. Need another
Should be one gin day a month. So I am planning a world gin day in July or August. Will let you know the details

Gin Recommendation

Revealed in Episode 5

Find you Gin and Your Tonic?

Divide your Gin

London Dry
Fruit based
Botanicals
Liqueurs

Benchmark Types Of Gin

These are mine:-
Gordons - London Dry
Bombay Saphire - Botanical
Whitley Neill - Raspberry

Taste the Gin On It's Own

Gives you a real idea of what it tastes like
How does it compare to your benchmark gin ?
Does it have a delicate flavour ?

Taste the tonic on it's own

You need to understand it's flavour too
Start with 3
Elderflower
Mediterranean
Elderflower

Now pair with the correct tonic

Strong flavour
A gin which which has a very strong flavour like Whitley Neill Rhubarb and Ginger needs to be paired carefully
Elderflower would probably be the best in this case if you want to dampen the taste a bit or choose something like an blood orange tonic for example
Delicate gin
Martin Miller I would pair with Mediterranean or standard tonic. Elderflower too much to overpower

Gin Community Shout Out

@pitwheeldistillery get my vote this week for their amazing advert which says Coffee keeps me going until it’s acceptable to drink Gin
I am keen to help any business that has been affected by Covid.
If you are starting up again, have an event coming up or have a mini - festival please get in touch and let me help you to publicise it on this podcast.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Instragram Community Shoutout

If you have not already started to follow them with there nearly 1500 follows @girls_on_gin
They post some amazing pictures and they have a Westie dog just like me !!
They have been featured in the press

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Episode 01 - What is ginignite and why should I listen ?

Ben Hampson — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 21:30:00 +0100

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

World gin day on 13th June 2020 was amazing.
First time I had experienced this unique day
On line demonstrations were amazing, especially those from Whitley Neill (@whitleyneillgin) and Fever Tree (@fevertreemixers)
I particularly liked The Botanist gin (@thebotanistgin), who were following on instagram, where there were cocktails being made, all over the world
I enjoyed four gins during the day all with Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic (@fevertreemixers)
1. The Botanist Gin @thebotanistgin
2. Mermaid Small Batch Gin @mermaidgin
3. Aberfalls Welsh Dry Gin @aberdistillery
4. Whitley Neill Quince Gin @whitleyneillgin

Gin Recommendation

Revealed in Episode 5

What Is the Gin Ignite Podcast all About ?

Inspired by Instagram

Amazed at the stories I have seen over last few months
Really supportive community

Why a podcast ?

Gin with no interruptions. No need to read anything or look at anything.
Just sit back enjoy your drink and listen
You can't do this through any other medium

Structure of the Podcast

News Segment

Get my news primarily from Instagram
If you have some news get in contact

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Each week I will recommend a gin to try
If you are a distillery and wish me to try your latest product I am more than happy to oblige. It's a tough job but someone has to do it
Please get in touch so we can arrange delivery to the right address etc either using IM @ginignite on Instagram / @ginignite on Twitter or ben@ginignite.com

Main Segment

Either me with a gin story or two. Each episode will last about 10 minutes
An interview with a distillery, bar or someone who loves gin. An episode will last between 30 - 60 minutes depending on how juicy the information is

Gin Community Shout Out

Shout outs for new products, bar opening or festivals

Instagram Community Segment

Shout out to the community

Gin Community Shout Out

For all gin fans in Australia the Brisbane distillery @brisbanedistillery is now open
Looks amazing, especially the still !!!
I am keen to help any business that has been affected by Covid.
If you are starting up again, have an event coming up or have a mini - festival please get in touch and let me help you to publicise it on this podcast.

Get In Contact

IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
E-Mail me at gin.gossip@ginignite.com
If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at podcast.ideas@ginignite.com
If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at podcast.star@ginignite.com

Instragram Community Shoutout

Shout out to the @thetealbar. A home bar owned by @maxine.lane which looks amazing
They have over 1000 followers
They did a great showcasing of Whitley Neill Blood Orange Gin last week

Final Thought

The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
Cheers

Ginignite Trailer

Ben Hampson — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 09:00:00 +0100

Welcome to The Gin Ignite podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

Hi my name is Ben Hampson and I am a podcaster and gin lover.
I am biased but I believe the world is a better place with gin in it
Over the last few months I have been inspired by the many happy gin folk on Instagram and their many creative and wacky stories about gin.
It has been an interesting journey but I don’t want to it alone.
So saddle up and lets share the next gin story together
This is a weekly show, ready on Friday morning, for the weekend.
The main format for the show will be
A news section
Weekly gin recommendation
I will be interviewing some of the biggest and some of the smallest distilleries, bar owners and basically anyone who wants to profess their love for gin.
Rest assured though there will always be gin
The last show segment will focus on events by distillers, bars or festivals coming up
Fill your glass up, grab the tonic and let's being our journey together.