ICE AND A SLICE ANYONE?
While there was a small number of distilleries in our county town in the early 1700s producing gin, much of it was of poor quality — with talk of turpentine used in place of juniper berries! But by 1780 all this had changed, with
the return of George Bishop to Maidstone after years learning the craft at a Dutch distillery, famous for producing genever — the forerunner of gin.
Once home, Bishop set about making Hollands Gin in the county town. But first he had to petition Parliament for permission to produce genever, and he
Kent’s distinguished history for beer production is well known, but few of us are familiar with our long association with distilling gin...
Wild Spirits of Kent offers a gin flavoured with home-grown raspberries
In recent years gin-making has enjoyed
did this rather cleverly by claiming it would stop smuggling and increase duty to HM Revenue. (Who could resist?) By 1789 his distillery was in full flow,
producing 3,000 gallons each week of nationally-acclaimed gin (also known as Maidstone Genever). As well as Bishop’s Malt Distillery in Bank Street, Maidstone, there was Grant’s (Queen’s Distillery in Hart Street circa 1880), Daniel Beckman’s distillery on the east side of Stone Street (circa 1648) and Argles Bishop’s rival distillery (circa 1806) in Medway.
a renaissance, with numerous new distilleries offering high-quality blends, such as Anno at Marden, Greensand Ridge at Shipbourne, near Tonbridge and the impressive Copper Rivet Distillery at Medway Maritime. The Maiden Distillery is also producing
Maidstone Gin again, and promises to release its own Maidstone Hollands genever-style spirit, true to recipes from the 1790s. While they delight in adding their own twist (botanicals), other Kent companies flavour gin with Kent-grown fruit and spices like Nip from the Hip and Wild Spirits of Kent, both in Maidstone. The result is a heady mix of pure and flavoured gin offering something for every taste.
The Pepperbox Inn Windmill Hill, Harrietsham, ME17 1LP delivered
Organic boxes
Live life on the veg
riverford.co.uk
Andrew and Sam on 01622 746726 32 Mid Kent Living Call your local veg team
• Outside terrace • Ample parking • Walkers & Riders welcome • Warm & welcoming open log fires.
Opening Times: Daily from 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11.30pm
Food Served: Lunch 12noon – 2pm Evening 7pm – 9.30pm Sunday Lunches: 12noon –3pm Closed Sunday Evenings
01622 842558
www.thepepperboxinn.co.uk
Visit our charming pub situated in beautiful countryside with outstanding views of the Weald of Kent
Full á la carte menu and traditional pub food served lunchtimes and evenings
Sunday Lunches £11 per person
Served 12noon – 3pm
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