Chilgrove grape spirit gin launches in UK

Chilgrove Gin, the “first English gin” distilled from grapes, is to launch in the UK this summer.

Chilgrove Dry Gin is made from neutral grape spirit

Created by Christopher Tetley and Dr Celia Beaumont-Hutchings, Chilgrove Gin is distilled by Charles Maxwell at Thames Distillers using neutral grape spirit, and marketed as “a gin for all seasons”.

The gin is distilled with 11 botanicals, including juniper, coriander seed, sweet orange, savory, angelica root, lime, liquorice root, orris root, grains of paradise, bitter orange and water mint.

Maxwell described Chilgrove, which is named after the Sussex hamlet, as “a big, powerful, complex gin”.

“The neutral grape spirit base helps to give a soft mouth feel and bring forward floral notes as it combines with the citrus botanicals,” he said. “Overall there is a gentle delivery of the botanical flavours which end up with a spicy peppery note delivered by the grains of paradise working with the juniper berries.”

Founders Tetley and Beaumont-Hutchings were inspired to create the gin with Thames Distillers after being inspired by English gin’s origins.

“English gin as we know it today has its roots in 16th century Holland and is derived from the juniper‐based drink jenever which was originally made using alcohol distilled from wine,” said Tetley.

“The change to a cereal‐base occurred as a result of a wine‐shortage in

Holland driven by the significant effects of the Little Ice Age on European viticulture coupled with changes in the political landscape.”

Chilgrove Gin will launch in June among the on- and off-trade, although production will initially be restricted to 15,000 bottles per year.

Available at an RRP of £29 for a 700ml bottle, the 44% abv gin will be distributed by Chilgrove in the first instance.