
tarquin's cornish gin
(southwestern distillery)
Tarquin's Cornish gin, named after founder and head distiller Tarquin Leadbetter, was first conceived as an idea back in 2012. Tarquin had been struggling in London's urban landscape, and after working his notice at his desk job, returned to the southwest armed with a 0.7 litre still and the passion to create. Over the coming months and after much trial and error, Tarquin set up Southwestern Distillery. Once decided upon his final recipe, he sold the first bottle of his gin to the Gurnard Head Hotel in St. Ives, Cornwall, in July 2013.
Over the coming years, the distillery quickly grew and would soon expand their range to include various gins, alongside a Cornish Pastis. It was the pastis and the flagship London Dry gin that received the prestigious double gold at the San Francisco Spirits competition. However, 2017 was when the distillery would receive it's greatest accolade to date, when the navy strength (57%) 'Tarquin's Sea Dog' would win world's best gin in the same esteemed competition.
The Tarquin's gin distillery pride themselves on 7 key points, which primarily revolve around people and production, be that in the tactile environment of the distillery, where they still taste each batch of gin before sealing, waxing and labeling each bottle by hand, or in their provenance, locality and independence.
products
distillery tours
Luckily for us, Tarquin's opened their doors to the public in 2019. On weekends, you can now join in on a tour where they will show you around the working distillery, introducing you to the 'four copper ladies' and how the stills produce their award-winning products. They'll also teach you about the history of Tarquin's and talk you through a botanical masterclass, but not before serving you a complimentary gin and tonic.
Also included in the cost is a tasting masterclass of Tarquin's four key gins, and a tactile introduction to what botanicals are and how they are used. Smell the citrus, angelica and juniper and other botanicals that go into each batch of gin. Finally, you have the option to wax and sign your own bottle of Tarquin's gin to take home and enjoy. A truly unique experience in a distillery with a hands-on approach.
£15.00 per person includes gin and tonic on arrival, a tasting of the four Tarquin's core gins, distillery tour and botanical masterclass. Bottle waxing optional at additional cost.
Designated drivers will also have the option of a soft drink on arrival and a 5cl Tarquin's Dry Gin bottle to enjoy at home.
