In 2012, only one distillery made gin from Wales. Today, there are many. They have won numerous awards. They are using local botanicals. They also make their drinks with passion. Yes, Welsh gin has arrived!
Gin is now the preferred drink for those who don’t like wine or feel bored by bland beers. It is delicious with a glass ice and just as good in the summer.
Its popularity has also led to a boom in the production of subtly-flavoured drinks. It is hard to accuse a gin-and-tonic of being bland.
It is not possible to accuse Welsh gin as being bland. Welsh craft distilleries offer a wide range of premium gins, from seaweed botanicals and marmalade flavours.
This article will take you through a list of 10 Welsh gins. They are spread across the country. Grab a glass of water, ice and a slice of bread and let’s look through the menu.
Aber Falls Orange Marmalade Gin
This award-winning Gin is made with citrus flavours and piney Juniper. Orange Marmalade was brewed using filtered Welsh waters in the Snowdonia foothills. It is also one of several gins made by Aber Falls North Wales.
Dyfi Pollination Gin
Dyfi pollination Gin is produced using the London Dry method. It is limited in production. It has a spicy herbal taste and a minty finish. The unique local flora used to forage for the botanicals is what makes this award-winner stand out. Dyfi estuary, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is located in the Dyfi Estuary.
Snowdonia Welsh Dry Gin
This tiny little Snowdonia Distillery drop contains plum, citrus botanicals and juniper. Serve with a squeeze of lemon peel or tonic. Afanc is the Welsh name for the copper distillation vessel.
Eccentric Cardiff Dry
This spirit is named after the country’s capital. This dry, sharp gin is dominated by juniper and comes with big citrus notes. Best enjoyed with mint and black pepper. Eccentric has been producing gins in Llantrisant (near Cardiff) for 200 years. This is a long history.
Penderyn Brecon Special Reserve
Penderyn is the oldest and most important distillery in Wales. It’s perhaps best known for its whiskies. The award-winning tipple, which is clean, smooth and delicious, uses botanicals from four corners the globe. They are combined with barley spirit and waters from the nearby Brecon Beacons.
pHure Smooth Conwy Gin
Smooth Conwy contains 96 % organic grain alcohol. This is then diluted in soft filtered Welsh tap water and used to extract juniperberries and eight additional botanicals prior to distillation. This gives the gin a smooth taste. This gin is reduced in pressure and uses less energy.
Da Mhile Seaweed Gin
Don’t let the name and the ingredients deceive you. This organic seaweed-infused Gin, pronounced Da-veelay (which is Gaelic 2000), is the ideal beverage to complement your seafood dish. This gin uses seaweed from Cardigan Bay. The fresh flavors of citrus and lavender are freshened by the gin. Give it try!
LlanfairPGin
It doesn’t matter if the longest name is used to sell the small-batch, handcrafted gin. You will enjoy Juniper punch, elderflower, angelica root and rosemary notes, all grown on the Isle of Anglesey.
Henstone Dry Gin
Henstone Dry was a 2020 award winner. It contains juniper (orris root), coriander and angels wreath as well as citrus fruit botanicals. This is a warming, balanced, and warming gin made in Oswestry border country. It has a smooth texture.
Crawshay Orange Zes Gin
Crawshay orange zest is evident in the bottle! It will surprise you with a delicate bouquet of chocolate orange. The Hensol Distillery in South Wales produces elegant flavoured gin that is delicate and infused with Brazilian oranges.
What is your favorite Welsh Gin?
These ten gins are just a few to get you started. Which one is your favorite? Do you have a favorite among them? We want to hear from you!
