What did you do before launching Collymoon Craft Gin? I have had many roles in the past but most recently I had a career in education; Teacher, Deputy Head and eventually Head Teacher. What made you decide to start creating and distilling gin recipes? It literally began with a conversation with friends in a local gin bar in Staffordshire. We were sampling a new local gin and I suggested that as a group of friends we make our own gin. We all had busy lives and so didn’t act upon it, but the seed was firmly planted and when I retired and moved back home to Scotland my family encouraged me to try and fulfil my ambition to create my own gin, and the Collymoon Craft Gin journey began. What is the meaning and story behind the Collymoon Craft Gin brand? It literally represents where I live. I live on the Pendicles of Collymoon, in Collymoon House. I thought that Collymoon Craft Gin had a nice sound to it. My branding is also representative of my locality with the moon, mountains visible from my home (Lomond Range), the River Forth that flows through our valley and at the bottom of my garden and finally the mighty Scots Pine tree (Doug) who stands with pride at the bottom of my garden. Can you tell us more about your distillery setup After careful consideration and as my initial desire to make gin was going to be a hobby, I created a ‘gin kitchen’ at home. I have a 2.5L copper still, Maureen (named in honour of my late mother-in-law), and Muriel, my 10L copper still named in honour of my mother. This is where I carry out all my recipe development. When I took the plunge, I looked for a collaboration with another distillery to allow me to upscale my recipes. This is where I connected with Lewis at Distillutions. I grew up in Arbroath, so it felt right to have another connection to my past life and roots in Scotland. I have recently worked with an architect to create plans for a micro distillery at home, so that is my ultimate dream. Can you tell us more about your distillation process and botanicals? I chose from the outset to undertake single shot distillations. For both of my expressions I don’t macerate any of the botanicals, they go directly into the pot. When I was learning about the process of distilling gin I also spent a year working with a local neighbour, Lauren Lochrie (Herbal Homestead) and she took me on a journey learning about plants and botanicals in my local area from root to shoot to flower to fruit. This was invaluable to gain an insight into how plants and botanicals have been used through history. My inaugural gin was inspired by my local hedgerows and has both Honelysuckle Flowers and Hawthorn Berries as two of the main botanicals. I am usually inspired to use a botanical because of either a memory from the past or from a food or drink I have sampled them in. What is your ambition for Collymoon Craft Gin in the years to come? I ultimately would like to have a micro distillery at home and then be able to offer visits and experiences, as well as being able to walk out of the door and have the ability to distil my small batches in situ. What are your favourite ways to drink your gins?
For Gealach Úr, I like to sip neat over ice, garnished with either a cape berry or a slice of blood orange. I find this gin works well in a classic Negroni or Dry Martini. With Solas An Earraich, I like to drink it as a ‘Gin and Ginger’ and enjoy it with ginger ale, garnished with a slice or fresh ginger. I have found that Solas An Earraich also makes a nice ‘Gin Mule’ with pineapple juice added to give it a tropical twist. Desert Island Gins: Which 3 gins would you take with you and why?
What's next for you and Collymoon Craft Gin - any exciting plans? Getting our micro distillery up and running is what I am most excited about. I am currently working on two new London Dry recipes, as well as a non-pink 'Pink Gin' and a navy strength expression. I love what I do and it allows me to meet so many people that I get to chat with about all things gin. You Might Also Like...
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