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Organic and carbon neutral, The Dorset Gin Company‘s silky small‑batch Purbeck Gin is summer’s smoothest way to save the planet, discovers Jo Rees
What is it?
A creamy and floral organic London Dry crafted using the power of Dorset sunshine.
Why?
The Dorset Gin Company’s owner Nigel Wallace‑Smith is keen to differentiate the way he makes gin from how the mass‑market distilleries do it. He explains: ‘We craft our gin in the traditional way by making our own alcohol which we then distil with organic botanicals such as juniper berries, coriander seed, angelica root, fenugreek and a small piece of vanilla pod. It’s a much more traditional way of doing things and, I believe, why we’ve managed to create a gin that has no “burn”.’
Eco creds
However, it’s not just flavour that’s important to The Dorset Gin Company.
‘For the environment’s sake, we have to change the way we do things, and that includes the gin we make and drink,’ says Nigel.
When Nigel and his wife Ann set up a micro distillery on their smallholding overlooking Purbeck Ridge, they decided that minimising environmental impact would be at the core of the project. ‘We grow vegetables and keep horses and are committed to looking after the landscape, so keeping things organic, green and small scale was important to us,’ he says.
The distillery is powered by solar panels which fuel five air‑cooled stills (‘I make gin while the sun shines,’ says Nigel). The finished bottles are delivered by electric vehicle to London and throughout Dorset, making it a carbon‑neutral product.
Verdict?
The sustainable spirit is so creamy it works well as a sipping gin, although most will quaff it in a silky G&T. We liked it best with Fever‑Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water and a squeeze of fresh lime.
Recommend to friends?
There are definitely feelgood vibes in sharing the deets on an indie business crafting a sustainable spirit of distinction. And who wouldn’t appreciate a bottle through the post?
How to get it
Purbeck Gin is still somewhat under the radar and more of its bottles are sold direct from the distillery than through stores. A 70cl bottle costs £44 plus P&P from the website.
