Gin o'clock

9th November 2016

Historically known as "mother’s ruin", gin joined the retro resurgence and is now the sophisticated drink of choice. With flavour and provenance becoming ever more important, specialist gin bars and a renaissance in micro-distilleries gives gin connoisseurs an exciting choice. When it’s gin o’clock in the Cotswolds, you’ll certainly be spoilt for choice.

Cotswolds Distillery

The beautiful Cotswold stone building of Cotswolds Distillery offers daily tastings and tours. Their award-winning Cotswolds Dry Gin is a classic juniper-led gin, with notes of crisp citrus and spice. For a taste of the Cotswolds, make your own ‘Cotswold Garden’ cocktail, a lovely combination of gin, elderflower and pressed apple juice.

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The Bell Inn, Selsley

Stemming from the landlady’s passion for gin, The Bell Inn has hand-picked a range of 45 gins – all for sale by the measure. These include local gins from the Cotswolds, as well as further afield. Gin evenings take place regularly at the pub. Why not stay in one of their cosy rooms to truly take advantage? The Bell has been added to the Michelin Guide for 2017.

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The Feathers Hotel, Woodstock

Gin lovers will be totally spoilt for choice in The Feathers' Bar, offering a spectacular selection of over 400 gins from around the world. In homage to James Bond, try a Vesper Martini (named in honour of some of the cast and crew who stayed at the hotel whilst filming Spectre at nearby Blenheim Palace).

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Sibling Distillery

Sibling Gin is made by four siblings from Cheltenham. Sibling Distillery produces high quality vodka from scratch and combines this with a range of botanicals. While Sibling Gin is on sale in luxury outlets such as Harvey Nichols and Fortnum & Mason, you can also buy it at Cheltenham and Stroud Farmers’ Market where you might be lucky enough to meet the siblings. 

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 Spirit of the Cotswolds

The family-run Cotswold Brewery Company, in Bourton on the Water, launched Spirit of the Cotswolds, with the Original Cotswold Gin (as well as vodka), alongside their existing brews, in 2012. The gin is produced from barley and is distilled five times to make it really smooth. The flavour pays homage to the brewery, by incorporating hops into the gin, as well as herbs and berries from their own grounds.

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 The Gin Pantry at The Cotswold Plough

A few years ago, a small but carefully crafted gin shelf, consisting of ten bottles within The Cotswold Plough, evolved into The Gin Pantry. This dedicated room is filled with bottles of gin from all over the world. While guests are invited to open and smell the various bottles, you can also pre-book a gin tasting, blending or afternoon G&Tea experience.

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The Queen’s Hotel, Cheltenham

The cosy bar in Cheltenham’s iconic Queen’s Hotel offers a selection of over 20 gins, all with different flavour profiles and stories, as well as a range of gin cocktails. You can try the signature Queen’s Cocktail (whose special ingredient is a rare locally-distilled gin) or Eddie the Eagle, named after Cheltenham’s most famous ski jumper.

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Brennen & Brown Gin

Cheltenham-based gin distillery Brennen & Brown, produces its signature Colonial Gin, as well as Gin with a Hint of Ginger, for a more unusual and fiery option. To learn more about the distilling process, book a Gin Lab Experience and create your own bottle of gin. You’ll get the chance to select your choice of botanicals and bottle it to take home – a great souvenir of time spent in the Cotswolds.