Yesterday’s fire at the historic Plymouth Gin Distillery in Plymouth’s Southside Street has mercifully left the 500 year old distillery building intact. The blaze broke out in the ducting system of the kitchen of the Barbican Kitchen Brasserie, run by celebrity chefs James and Chris Tanner, which has been severely damaged. The good news however is that that the pot still and general production facility as well as the oldest part of the building, The Refectory, is undamaged and remains operational. The Black Friars Distillery is the oldest working distillery in the country and the Refectory dates back to the 15th century. It is reputed to be the place where the Pilgrim Fathers spent their last night before sailing for the New World on the Mayflower. This is the second time in Plymouth Gin’s history that the distillery has been saved from fire (the first time was during World War 2 when it was hit by German bombs). Whew, let’s raise a glass of Plymouth Gin to Plymouth Gin!

It’s been a busy time for The London Gin having just been awarded the prestigious gold medal in the Wine & Spirit magazine Design & Packaging Awards 2008. It was also the star of the show at the exclusive Madrid Fusion event in Spain, where a bespoke bar served and sampled hundreds of key journalists, buyers and enthusiasts from the world of fine food and drink. The signature cocktail, the “Passion Fruit and London Gin Sour” went down a storm!

It’s also grabbing lots of attention in London with new listings at The Establishment in Parsons Green, Match Bar in Clerkenwell, the Soho Hotel, Pinchito in Shoreditch, The Chesterfield in Mayfair, Donovan Bar at Browns Hotel (Mayfair) and One Great George Street in Westminster. In addition, our favourite shop Gerry’s of Soho now stock The London Gin in store and online.

It’s been a busy time for The London Gin having just been awarded the prestigious gold medal in the Wine & Spirit magazine Design & Packaging Awards 2008. It was also the star of the show at the exclusive Madrid Fusion event in Spain, where a bespoke bar served and sampled hundreds of key journalists, buyers and enthusiasts from the world of fine food and drink. The signature cocktail, the “Passion Fruit and London Gin Sour” went down a storm!

It’s also grabbing lots of attention in London with new listings at The Establishment in Parsons Green, Match Bar in Clerkenwell, the Soho Hotel, Pinchito in Shoreditch, The Chesterfield in Mayfair, Donovan Bar at Browns Hotel (Mayfair) and One Great George Street in Westminster. In addition, our favourite shop Gerry’s of Soho now stock The London Gin in store and online.

The next best thing to going out on a hot date with your Valentine on February 14th is staying in and making this gorgeous Plymouth Sloe Gin cocktail. To make the Lover’s Cocktail shake with ice and strain into martini glass:

• 2 oz. Plymouth Sloe Gin
• 1 Egg White
• 1/2 tsp. Lemon Juice
• 1/2 tsp. Raspberry Juice