ROLL UP FOR REGIONAL CRACKERS
PEAK DISTRICT: Forest Gin 70cl (£55, 42%) Created in a 17th century barn outside Macclesfield, Cheshire, the Forest Distillery have been doing amazing things with gin and whisky. Their flagship Forest Gin is distilled in batches of 85 bottles at a time featuring foraged bilberries, raspberries and blackberries plus moss and ferns and Peak District spring water. It’s delicious and its porcelain bottles are a work of art. Gin and tours via theforestdistillery.com
KENT: Simpsons’ Roman Road Chardonnay 2019 (£27, 12.5%)
Situated on the sunny, sheltered North Downs of Kent, Simpsons Wine Estate is a slice of pure beauty and its Roman Road chardonnay exudes a sense of place. A stunning white with aromas of pineapple and apricot with a distinctive mineral quality reflecting the wonderful chalk soil. Available from simpsonswine.com where you can also find tours, tastings and the UK’s only winery helter skelter.
NORTH YORKS: Masons Dry Gin (£34, 42%) Founded in the country town of Bedale, North Yorkshire, Masons flagship dry gin is big on character (a bit like
Yorkshire) and full of flavour with juniper and citrus with a hint of fennel and a peppery finish. Available from masonsyorkshiregin.com where you can also book distillery visits.
SOUTHWOLD: Adnams Kobold English Lager (£16.99 for 12 440ml cans, 4.7%)
This is the Suffolk brewer’s first premium English lager and it’s a cracker. Made by Adnams using East Anglian malted barley and wheat, with Goldings hops from Herefordshire and Kent, Kobold is crisp and clean with very subtle lemon notes. Named after a mythical water spirit said to protect North Sea sailors, in case you were curious. Available from adnams.co.uk where you can also find brilliant brewery tours.
EDINBURGH: Pickering’s Gin 50cl (£24.95, 42%)
Made at the Summerhall Distillery in the heart of Edinburgh and based on a 1947 recipe, heather, milk thistle, bog myrtle and Scots pine create a compelling blend of sweet, earthy and floral notes. Tours of the site are on hold until October but well worth putting in the diary. Available from pickeringsgin.com
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