A Yorkshire-based distillery is marking the end of Dry January by updating and relaunching its popular Yorkshire Gin Map which plots the gin distilleries and brands thriving around the county.
Cooper King Distillery, based in Sutton-on-the-Forest, North Yorkshire, originally launched its Yorkshire gin map in October 2017 with 15 companies who were selling or soon to start producing the delicious juniper-led spirit. The second version showcases an additional 30 brands, many of which of have recently launched, bringing the total to 45.
Yorkshire is a hot-bed of gin innovation with distilleries including the Harrogate Distillery (aka Whittaker’s), Rare Bird in Malton and Masons in Bedale, proving that they have what it takes to produce interesting and exciting spirits that are growing in popularity.
Toby and Jane Whittaker, of Whittaker’s Gin, say the map is a great way to “meet the friendly Yorkshire folk who embrace the heart of craft distilling.”
The founders of Rare Bird Distillery, Matt and Elizabeth commented:
“The Yorkshire gin scene is going from strength to strength, with consumers getting more and more discerning as to where their gins are coming from and how they are produced. Distilleries are having much more of an open-door mentality, where it’s possible for a gin lover to see and experience the craft and passion that goes into each bottle of a small batch distilled spirit, giving them a personal connection to the products available.”
Cooper King Distillery’s inaugural gin, Cooper King Dry Gin, was the first Yorkshire gin to combine innovative cold vacuum distillation with traditional hot copper-pot distillation which is a process tailored to suit each individual botanical. This unique process and resulting delicious gin helped it win bronze for the UK Contemporary Style Gin in The World Gin Awards recently, beating off 4000 other gins from around the world. The accolade puts the start-up in a prestigious list amongst just 17 other UK gins.
Abbie Neilson, co-founder and distiller at Cooper King Distillery said:
“To celebrate the end of dry January and to encourage gin-lovers to discover the amazingly diverse range of gin brands in Yorkshire, we are relaunching our popular Yorkshire gin map with 30 new gins included.
“Yorkshire is a huge part of the Cooper King identity, from our family heritage to the Yorkshire lavender and honey that are distilled in our gin; we simply wouldn’t want to be in any other county. This is why we’re so proud to see how the gin scene is growing across the county and the opportunity this gives gin-lovers to experience a range of distilling techniques and botanicals. The map is a great way to celebrate Yorkshire spirit.”
Karl and Cathy Mason, the founders of Masons in Bedale, agree:
“Being the first Yorkshire distillery, we have witnessed the gin market grow rapidly. It’s been great to see so many new Yorkshire distilleries open and being proud to shout about their Yorkshire roots too. We know many of them and share their passion of all things gin.”
The map is a snapshot of the ever-evolving Yorkshire gin scene. Gin-lovers are encouraged to contact Cooper King Distillery directly if they know of any other Yorkshire gin brands in the pipeline, for inclusion in future editions.
Established in 2016 by Dr Abbie Neilson and Chris Jaume, Cooper King Distillery is a self-built, 100% green distillery located in the heart of Yorkshire. The Dry Gin is the distillery’s first product which launched in May 2018. The gin now has two international awards to its name, the first being a Gold award at the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s DMA awards in October 2018.
The Yorkshire Gin Map is available to view and purchase from the Cooper King Distillery website for £10.
