“There are no real rules when it comes to gin, it’s like the Wild West, and we want to push tastes and bring in different sweet and savoury tastes.
“With modern gin you can colour it, flavour it, whatever, it’s a distiller’s dream.”
“You need to have a passion for gin and a good palate,” explained Duncan, “but there’s no such thing as a bad gin, just some suit you more than others.”
Duncan began the process of perfecting his recipe by producing lots of single distils with individual botanicals then carefully blending them to create a more complex flavour which became his recipe.
Capitalising on Alex’s wealth of herbal knowledge, they still grow many of the ingredients for their gins, including lemon thyme, bay, apple mint, rosemary, angelica and lemon verbena in their garden at Haven, near Dilwyn. These are constantly harvested and used fresh or dried above the AGA in their kitchen, which in theory irons out any seasonal variations in their product. Their first gin was a London Dry, in Duncan’s opinion one of the hardest to master, carefully blending botanicals so no one is more prominent than another with the exception of juniper.
As part of their business, Ross and Leigh also run gin making workshops, giving visitors the chance to create their own blends – often with fascinating results.
The sessions begin with a talk on the history of gin and then guests are offered a choice of over 50 botanicals to create their own brew. There’s also a discussion on the various tonics and garnishes, dispelling various myths and to help people enhance their gin drinking experience.
“You might know or use some of these botanicals in cooking but the flavours can distil quite differently. It can make for some interesting surprises.
“You don’t have to go crazy though, it’s about balance. You don’t want the flavours to clash but to work in harmony as they cross your tongue.
“There are lots of gins, like Monkey 47, which use lots of botanicals but I’m not sure every palate would be able to identify each of those.”
Many of their botanicals are grown in their own garden, such as rhubarb, thyme, lavender and sage, or foraged from local hedgerows and woodlands in line with their ethos to be as green and sustainable as possible.
Their business name was chosen as a nod to their passion for the countryside. As a family of animal lovers, they wanted to celebrate a British animal that was part of the Herefordshire countryside but that would also provide them with an eye-catching label.
For anyone wanting to take part in any of their gin making experiences (all now in reduced numbers to meet Covid security criteria) they also offer B&B accommodation on site. Takeaway packs are also available for nominated drivers.
Duncan and Alexandra Fox were among the first in the region to turn their talents to gin making back in 2015. Alex ran her own herb nursery but arthritis in her hands was making the job more difficult when they decided they would look for a business they could do together.
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Their other two gins are a lemon verbena and a pink grapefruit gin, making a refreshing alternative to the more traditional flavours. Duncan was also asked to produce a bespoke gin for Shropshire-based brewers Joule’s which is now sold across their pubs.
Their intention was always for the gin making to become their full time occupation but to remain genuinely small batch, producing around 100 bottles at one time, making perhaps 200 each week. Each bottle has a handwritten batch and bottle number and the top sealed in wax to create a genuinely good and truly exclusive gin.
“I like to think of ourselves as a boutique distillery, possibly one of the smallest you will find. We used to offer tours but I thought that was a bit pretentious as once they had put their head through the door to announce their arrival they had virtually done the tour! If people wish to collect their purchases though I am always more than happy to show them around.”
To visit their online shop, which has free delivery for all orders over £30, visit
havendistillery.co.uk
READERS’ OFFER
The lovely people of Black Mountain Botanicals are offering readers of Live 24-Seven a special offer. Anyone ordering any gins or liqueur before December 31 will receive a 10% discount and free delivery when they use the code LIVE247.
Visit
blackmountainsbotanicals.co.uk
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WINING & DINING THE GIN RE VOLUT ION
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