What did you do before creating distillery? As two professional actors, often featuring on Welsh language television, we both felt the need to add another dimension to our working lives. What made you decide to create your gin and distillery? We had often thought of starting a small business together and were aware of the growing popularity of quality craft gin. As appreciators of gin, we thought the idea of starting a small distillery quite appealing as well as challenging. Looking around, we quickly realised there were many competing gins already on the market, some of which were of excellent quality. We realised that if we were to be a serious contender in the market, our gin would have to be exceptional. Through contacts within the industry we were put in touch with the prize-winning master distiller Gerard Evans. Gerard quickly impressed us with his knowledge of the distillation process and assured us he would both formulate a world-class gin and advise us on its production. Can you tell us more about the distillery and distillation? The distillery is situated on the beautiful Isle of Anglesey on a small 40-acre farm. The 300 litre still, which we’ve named ‘Branwen’ (after the Celtic Goddess,) is sited in a refurbished 200-year-old farm building belonging to one of our Directors. The gin itself is produced using natural grain spirit distilled with 17 botanicals, many of which are indigenous to North Wales. The water we use is drawn from our 200-year-old well situated near the distillery. On site we also have a 30 litre experimental still which we employ to further develop our product line. What have been the biggest achievements so far? Gerard Evans' promise to formulate a world-class gin came to fruition when Afallon Mon Dry Gin began winning recognition within the industry. In The Gin Guide Afallon Mon Gin was named as the ‘Best in Wales 2021’ and ‘Best in Britain 2021’, as well as being a Winner in the Contemporary Gin and London Dry Gin categories. Welsh GinHow would you describe your gin in three words?
Finest Celtic Gin. What’s your favourite way to drink your gin? I would take one measure of gin to three measures of quality tonic. The flavour to be enhanced with the addition of red grapefruit/or cucumber and ice. Which gins would you always have on your gin shelf? Hendricks Gin, Foragers Gin and Brecon Botanicals Gin. We would consider any one of these to be a good choice. What's next for Afallon Môn? We are, at the moment utilising our 30-litre development still to produce a quality flavoured gin. While recognising there are quality ‘tonic waters’ on the market, we feel the need to develop a special, bespoke tonic water that would fully complement Afallon Mon Gin. You Might Also Like...
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