Richard Hammond enters spirits with Hawkridge
Hawkridge Distillers has collaborated with The Grand Tour presenter Richard Hammond to craft a gin and single malt English whisky.
The two spirits, Ratio Gin and Iron Ridge whisky, are said to fuse Hammond’s ‘distinctive adventurous flair’ with Hawkridge’s time-honoured craftsmanship and technical expertise.
Ratio Gin was inspired by Hammond’s ‘deep connection’ to the Lake District and his appreciation for botanical balance, and was developed at Hawkridge’s distillery in Berkshire, England.
It features local ingredients including bilberries, wild gorse flowers, and a hint of honey.
The bottle design – shaped like a gear – pays homage to both engineering and craftsmanship, values at the core of the work at Hawkridge.
Meanwhile, Iron Ridge is a single malt that has been matured in rare ex-Bourbon casks.
Developed in close partnership with Hammond, it captures his pursuit of flavour, depth, and character, and boasts notes of vanilla and caramel alongside a delicate smokiness. It has been described as a whisky built for those who appreciate detail and discovery.
In a post on LinkedIn, master distiller and co-founder of Hawkridge Distillers James Gurney said: “For as long as I can remember, Top Gear – and later, The Grand Tour – have been among my absolute favourite shows. Like so many fans, I often imagined what it might be like to be the ‘fourth’ member of the trio, to share a laugh, a journey, or even just a pint with [Jeremy] Clarkson, Hammond, and [James] May.
“Now, after more than a year of meticulous planning, countless creative sessions, memorable meals – and a fair amount of secret-keeping – I’m thrilled to finally share the beginning of something extraordinary. We’re about to soft launch a truly exciting new range of spirits, developed in collaboration with the iconic ‘Hamster’.
“Richard’s spirit range reflects his vibrant personality and relentless pursuit of excellence, designed to elevate your every moment with a touch of adventure and a sip of history.”
Ahead of the full-scale global release in September 2025, the two spirits will make their debut through the distillery’s partners at Cotswold Fayre in the speciality and fine food sector.
Meanwhile on Friday 4 July, Hammond will visit Flourish at Glenavon Farm in Bristol and Flourish at Farleigh Road in Bath to meet customers and sign bottles available for purchase.
Hammond is the final of The Grand Tour trio to have entered the drinks industry. His co-star May boasts a range of gins under his name, while Clarkson owns a collection beers and ciders under his Hawkstone brand.
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