Hampshire Gins & Distilleries in Hampshire
On This Page: Hampshire Gin and Distillery directory, gin reviews, map of distillery tours and gin schools in Hampshire, interviews with the distillers, and see behind the scenes at some of Hampshire's gin distilleries.
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Hampshire is a wonderfully diverse county that is bursting with inspiration and botanicals for gin distillers, including the south coast running through Portsmouth and Southampton, the New Forest and South Downs National Parks, and the medieval cathedral city of Winchester, as well as being where the majority of the UK's watercress is grown! Hampshire is now home to 8 gin distilleries, 6 of which can be visited for tours and/or Gin School experiences, famously including the Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill.
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The gins featured in this guide are gins which, to the best of our knowledge, are produced in Hampshire. There may be additional products named after places in Hampshire or that are based in Hampshire, however, they will not be featured in this guide if our understanding is that they are produced outside of Hampshire.
Hampshire Gin Reviews - A to Z
Bombay Sapphire Gin - Laverstoke Mill Distillery
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Bombay Sapphire's name derives from gin's popularity during the British Raj in India and was developed to create a differentiated brand from the more traditional British London Dry Gins. Previously owned by Diageo, Bombay Sapphire is now owned by Barcardi and their Laverstoke Mill distillery and visitors' centre in Hampshire opened its doors in 2014.
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Twisted Nose Gin - Winchester Distillery
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Founded by former software developer Paul Bowler from his home in central Winchester, Winchester Distillery and Twisted Nose Gin were launched in 2014. After outgrowing the space available at his home, Paul moved to a dedicated distillery premises in Winchester which is now home to a 150L Bain-marie still and a 500L iStill for vodka, rum and whiskey production.
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For more gins produced in Hampshire, try:
- Hogmoor Distillery Gin (Bordon)
- Wyrd Gin - New Forest Spirits (Ringwood)
- Fort Gin - Portsmouth Distillery (Portsmouth)
- The River Test Distillery Gin (Near Andover)
- VB Distillery Gin (Basingstoke)
Distillery Tours & Gin Schools in Hampshire
Seven of the distilleries in Hampshire host Gin Distillery Tours and tastings, with three also hosting Gin Making Experiences. The options range from the major site of Bombay Sapphire's Laverstoke Mill Distillery, and Winchester Distillery conveniently located close to the city centre, through to the beautifully scenic Downton Distillery.
- 1. Bombay Sapphire Distillery (Whitchurch near Basingstoke) - Tours
- 2. Hogmoor Distillery (Bordon) - Gin School
- 3. New Forest Spirits (Ringwood) - Tours & Gin School
- 4. Portsmouth Distillery (Portsmouth) - Tours
Meet the Makers & See Behind the Scenes
Get to know Hampshire's finest gin creators and distillers in our 'Meet the Maker' interviews. Find out what inspired them and how they created and launched their gin, how their gins are made, what botanicals are used, what you can experience if you visit their distilleries, how best to serve their gins, and what they have planned for the future. Also get a sneak peek of the distilleries in our 'Behind the Scenes' features:
Paul Bowler - Winchester Distillery
Read the Interview |
Winchester Distillery
See Behind the Scenes |
