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Distillery collaborates with Oxford University for Physic Gin

The Oxford Artisan Distillery (TOAD) has used botanicals sourced from the University of Oxford Botanic Garden in its new expression, called Physic Gin.

TOAD is the only distiller in the world allowed access to the Oxford Botanic Garden

The new expression is the first spirit to be launched under a 25-year licence, which allows the distillery to produce alcoholic spirits for the world-famous university.

TOAD is the only distiller in the world allowed access to the garden to inspire and flavour its recipes.

The formulation and design of Physic Gin aim to celebrate the history of the university’s botanic garden, the oldest of its kind in the country.

Director of Oxford Botanic Garden, professor Simon Hiscock, said: “I was so impressed by the integrity and passion behind TOAD; it makes perfect sense for Oxford Botanic Garden to align itself with Oxford’s first distillery. I’m looking forward to making spirits inspired by our historical collections and having some botanical fun along the way.”

Founded in 1621 for the teaching of herbal medicine, Oxford Botanic Garden was planted during the 1640s by its first keeper, Jacob Bobart the Elder.

Physic Gin is made using 25 botanicals grown and foraged in the garden, including wormwood, rue and sweet woodruff.

TOAD master distiller, Cory Mason, said: “This gin is medicinal – in a good way. Botanicals bring a deeply complex flavour to bear and take us back to the time when plants formed the base of all medicine. Expect rich, earthy notes from this gin – like nothing you have tasted before.”

Physic Gin is bottled as 42.1% abv and will be available in 500ml bottles for an RRP of £34.95 (US$49).

Last year, TOAD offered drinks fans the chance to buy shares in the business, in order to fund its production of rye whisky.

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