Wessex Distillery London Dry Gin, 41.3% ABV, 70cl

Product Information

Perfect as a double measure in an iced-filled Wessex chalice , our premium gin can be paired with light tonic water and garnished with a twist of orange. The Anglo Saxon Chronicle is silent as to Alf’s alcoholic preferences, but we can be pretty sure he didn’t drink gin, since it didn’t exist. He did, however, foster scholarship, personally translate religious texts, and implement an organised network of fortifications for the repelling of invading Danes. Which is almost as worthwhile as drinking gin. The makers of Wessex Gin tie their booze into the legendary king by incorporating botanicals such as coriander (which ‘represents his appreciation of the importance of learning and scholarship’). Hmm.

Alternatively, try a boozy homemade lemonade. Squeeze the juice from a lemon and combine it with 450ml of water. Add two tablespoons of sugar or honey, then pour a double measure of Saxon Garden Gin onto the ice in your favourite glass. Top up with your lemonade and garnish with a sprig of lavender. As Jonathan explains: “This Old English text focuses on herbal remedies, and catalogues more than a hundred plants, their healing properties and how to use them. We’re using the Herbarium to help us find the Wessex twist for each of our gins.”

Or, try a negroni, equal measures of Alfred the Great gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Finally, top with a twist of orange.

Wessex Distillery began in 2017, but we’ve been in the gin making business for years. For us, making gin is more than a family business, beyond our love of taste testing the gins we truly have a passion for the best of the best English gin. So do our customers. We love meeting fellow gin lovers that visit for a gin making experience day, or meet us when we are hosting events. It doesn’t stand out as a distinct flavour,” says Jonathan of chervil, “but we think it adds something to the taste of juniper.” Our Saxon Garden floral gin can be enjoyed as a double measure with a generous amount of ice, then filled to the top with light tonic water and a twist of lemon. Maybe even a sprinkling of rose petals ! I also tried Wessex Gin in a classic dry martini ( here’s how I make it) and I think it’s even better like this. The small amount of dilution introduced by stirring over ice brings out more of the chervil and sharpens the gin’s complexities, as well as softening that initial bosh of juniper and wood whilst retaining its foresty depth.Wessex Distillery intertwines respect for the rich, historical tapestry of English gin-making with a forward-thinking approach to their creations. While they hold firm to time-tested methodologies – adhering to the principle that if something isn’t broken, there’s no need to fix it – they simultaneously weave in modern, innovative gin recipes to enthral a new generation of gin enthusiasts. They started looking into their new home and, being England, there were many thousands of years to explore. But one historical era in particular stayed with them: Anglo-Saxon Britain. At Wessex Distillery, we are a family owned craft distillery. We strive to create the best English gin, and nothing less. Based in Wessex, Surrey, our premium ingredients are straight from the English countryside and distilled right here in our copper distillery. We believe the best English gin is made when passionate gin lovers take a no fuss approach, and quality ingredients. Whether it's a classic style gin, or more experimental in flavour, our gins have won many awards already, and are considered among the best English gins available. Since gin was created in London in the 17th century, gin lovers have been striving to create the best English gin. We aim to honour traditional British gin, while also creating modern, innovative gin recipes for all to enjoy. Our Mission Statement: