Did you know that Conker is Dorset’s first gin distillery, founded in 2014? They use craftsmanship and the best possible ethical ingredients to distill the excitement and integrity of small batch spirits into the glass - and they did that very thing when creating our spectacular September 2017 Gin of the Month . Lilliput Dorset Gin was distilled with pride in Dorset at a micro distillery in Lilliput an area of Poole, from home-grown organic Rosemary, organic Basil from Egypt, organic Thyme from Spain and organic fresh water fermented Kalamata Olives from Greece. It was this combination of tastes and aromas that evoked the feeling of being by the coast and best captured the desire to escape to the beautiful Dorset coastline.

A new and contemporary gin distillery in the historic town of Dorchester, Fordington Gin is one of my favourite local tipples. Inspired by aniseed flavours, the botanicals include aniseed, star anise, and lemon balm. Their distillery tours have been awarded TripAdvisor’s #1 Thing to Do in Manchester so don’t just take our word for it! Hand crafted in small batches at the Soapbox Spirits distillery in Christchurch, Pothecary Gin was a double gold winnerSan Francisco World Spirit Competition. This is the highest accolade that can be bestowed on a spirit, with all 42 judges agreeing unanimously! So this soft, sippable Dorset gin is one you really must try.

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Finally, the most exciting part of the process, distilling Lilliput Dorset Gin in beautiful traditional copper pot stills. The production processes was quite traditional and small scale, helping the team to perfect the art of distilling the most beautiful products. Of all the gins out there, none hit the sweet spot between classic gin flavour and moreish complexity quite like No. 3. If you have room for just one gin on your shelf, we’d make it this one.

Concoct a recipe that really captures your personal flair, then watch in awe as your artisanal creation comes to life through the distillation process. Made by historic London wine merchants Berry Bros. & Rudd, the six-botanical spirit took two years to develop with Dr David Clutton – a man who holds a PhD in gin (yep, that exists). It was worth the effort. This is the only gin on this list that I haven’t tried yet. Next time I’m down in Dorset I’ll be raiding the local food shops in search of it! She was originally named ‘May Queen II’, but the Board of Trade rejected this title, leading to a last minute change and her being launched as ‘Gay Queen’.After the war she returned to Rothesay, Scotland to take passengers on sightseeing trips, staying there until the 1960’s. Dorset Queen was built in Scotland in 1938 and spent her first 2 years cruising the Kyles of Bute and Loch Striven. Delve into the fascinating history of gin and let your creativity flourish as you craft a blend uniquely tailored to your taste using a selection of botanicals, fruits, and exotic spices. Keep an eye out for food festivals and other events, where you’re sure to encounter a few of our local gin producers. Here’s my round-up of the best gin events in the local area. If you know of any more, drop me a comment below so I can add them to the list! Dorset Gin Cruise – Poole Harbour The CWSA (China Wine & Spirits Awards) is the biggest & most prestigious wine & spirits competition in China. ALL 100 Judges are carefully selected for being the top BUYERS of wines and spirits for this market and are importers, distributors, retailers and sommeliers. Wines and spirits enter from 55 countries and are ‘blind tasted’. The awards competition is suitable for wines and spirits already selling in the market, and also those wanting to sell to China.

Founded in 2016 by owner and Master Distiller Neil Harrison, Nelson’s is a small-batch distiller based in the picturesque Staffordshire countryside and producers of the special edition Gluggle Jug Gin, Craft Gin Club’s Gin of the Month in June 2019. Get ready to discover The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, a state-of-the-art distillery in the heart of the city. There are four different types of gin: London dry gin, old Tom, Plymouth and navy strength gin. Is gin gluten-free? Her next port of call was the US Naval Base in Holy Loch, before her first journey to Poole in the late 80’s to operate for Greenslade Pleasure Boats.At their outstanding distilling laboratory, you can take charge of a beautiful mini copper pot still to develop and distill your very own bottle of gin or rum to take home with you. The great thing about gin is it can be stored for years without going off, but it’s recommended to drink it within two years of opening. Even if you tightly reseal it, it’ll likely lose taste and quality if you leave it any longer. What are the different types of gin? Everything that was done with Lilliput Dorset Gin, including the way of working together with suppliers, customers and partners was about bringing the invigorating spirit of summer on the Dorset coast to life with an emphasis on Quality, Clarity and Escape. With a strong belief in equality and collaboration, in supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs, promoting ideas and innovation in the drinks industry and beyond. Gin School sessions are three hours long. Guests can also enjoy 10% off all Salcombe Distilling Co. products in their retail store on their visit. When World War II broke out Gay Queen was requisitioned by the Royal Navy and is believed to have been a volunteer boat in the Dunkirk rescue missions.

You’ll even get to apply a wax seal and label to your 70cl bottle so it’s ready to be taken home the very same day.The Judges at CWSA are drawn from the most prominent positions from throughout China and Hong Kong. These Judges are Responsible for buying 90 million bottles of wine and spirits per year making them the powerhouse of the China wine market. Then owner, Rusty Greenslade named her ‘Alice Marie’ after his granddaughter and used her as a Wareham River Cruiser for many years until his retirement. Lilliput Dorset Gin has always been best served in a large copa de ballon glass filled with fresh water ice, gently blended with a premium light tonic, garnished with a large sprig of fresh rosemary, a wedge of lime, a Kalamata Olive and finished off with the fresh spray of lime squeezed over the top of the glass. In this fabulous experience, you can join the Salcombe Distilling Co. team at their waterside Distillery Bar overlooking Salcombe Estuary in Devon to uncover the art of distillation. While gin is made from distilled grain spirit, it doesn’t contain gluten peptides and is therefore gluten-free and safe for coeliacs. The verdict: Best gin 2023