Seek this one out. Demand has called for a bigger rig, though, so production has been upgraded to bigger distilling units, although the method has remained largely unchanged. The bottle itself is short and stout and really stands out on shelves. This is something Holloway treated as a blessing when crafting his gin– the county is not steeped in traditions and there is no distilling heritage to stick to. It’s certainly a well-presented gin and would make for a great gift for connoisseurs. I now get to call myself ‘Head Conkerer’ as well.”. Whilst still a proper classic gin, led by a dry Macedonian juniper heart, the subtle incorporation of the Dorset notes of elderberries, samphire and handpicked New Forest gorse flowers brings bright and refreshing lighter notes to Conker.Brazenly refreshing and deftly smooth, the Dorset Dry … We want more, Holloway. Forest floor with deep red jammy fruit is hard not to love and this gin teases you in to sniffing far too aggressively. In the British countryside, school children are known to thread string through these seeds in autumn when they drop from the trees and engage in vicious battles, wherein they smash each others prized floor-treasure to pieces. Cuckoo Gin. It really is a beautifully captivating gin, with a rose gold hue to the colour of the liquid. Conker is Dorset's first gin distillery. This dry gin combines Macedonian juniper with local elderberries, samphire and gorse flowers. Quite lovely. For Conker Gin, the eureka moment came when Holloway realised that he couldn’t buy a local G&T, despite the fact that there are craft brewers and distillers popping up all over the country. Innovative spirits, handcrafted in Dorset's first gin distillery. But it’s no surprise that before I even write about this gin, I’ve a little soft spot for it. Overall, I think that the balance in this gin should make it a welcome addition to any home gin cabinet or any bartender’s craft gin arsenal. Founded by Rupert Holloway in April 2014, Conker are Dorset's first gin distillery. The Gin Man reviews Conker gin. Sign up below to get the latest news, offers and events from Gin Foundry. Clearly, it’s a well suited cask for the gin, as the two play off each other sympathetically enough for it to be recognisably Conker Gin, but with enough character to be a new experience in its own right and worthy of discovery. We are in pursuit of the new and exciting, with a ruthless focus on quality. October 2020. For more information about Conker, visit their website: www.conkerspirit.co.uk. He’s determined, quietly stubborn and dead set on doing things his own way. Conker Spirit. Juniper, coriander, angelica, orris, cassia and Seville orange suggest a line up similar to any London classic, but this is livened up with lime peel which, says Holloway, “add a really nice, crisp, almost dry sweetness that balances out the very caramelised orange of the Seville orange.” The botanicals get a Dorset twist from dried samphire, elderberries and hand harvested New Forest gorse flowers, which are picked and dried in March and April to be used throughout the year. Local botanicals accompany a more traditional line up. Cucumber Gin. Gin is a clear, high-alcohol drink whose flavor is created by distilling neutral grain spirit with a combination of plant extracts (botanicals), most famously juniper berries (see also Genever). Not just content with just making a higher proof offering,  Conker Navy Gin is also built with a charitable soul embedded into each bottle. He knew right away that distilling was what he wanted to do and (despite no formal qualifications) began distilling almost instantly in December 2013. Corinthian Gin. The lime can be dressed up in a G&T with a lime peel, while the gorse flower sweetness could be accentuated by adding in some Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic. A lovely nose that suggests an early winter dusk in a boreal pine forest. Conker Spirit’s Dorset Dry Gin stands in stark concept to some of the other gins in this year’s gin … To taste, the orange peel is the citrus that seems to have taken control of the fore, before giving way to the flavours captured during the spirit’s gentle slumber. Everything a Gentleman needs to know about Gin Brands – Conker Spirit Dorset Dry Gin Review. I think Dorset Dry Gin works well in a Martini and Gin and Tonic; however, I found that the overall flavor profile works quite well across floral drinks such as the Aviation, citrus drinks like the Gimlet (especially the Gimlet) and perhaps the only thing I found it wanting in was the Negroni where the nuance was lost and all that remained was a dull juniper note. Corner Fifty Three. Holloway sought the help of Summer Fruitcup’s David Smith when working on his recipe. And we definitely want an Old Tom – how well would those elderberries work in an Old Tom? Conker Spirits have created a unique and intricate gin of 10 select botanicals, distilled and bottled by them at Dorset’s first gin … Still, that doesn’t mean things have to remain static. He’s achieved this well, with the flavours meld and intertwine delicately. Conker Spirit was started with no money –  “No savings. One year later in April 2015 the first bottle of the Dorset Dry was sold, only for Rupert’s first child, Beau, to join the world a few months later… This one-man-band wasn’t going to cut it! Conker Dorset Dry Gin is a refreshing and smooth gin that's full of delicious notes of juniper, warm spice and floral allure. We are Conker Spirit, Dorset’s first gin distillery. This Gin repository focuses on the stories behind Gin brands, what they taste of and how they are made. Vegetal notes emerge a bit lower, with cucumber, celery and minty notes. Fred came to the … The aroma is unsurprisingly, given the intentions, overwhelmingly rich with pine and elderberry, a duo that we’ll confess to having a soft spot for here at Gin Foundry. Check your inbox and confirm the link to complete the process. Conker’s new Navy Strength Gin Review TheLussorian 03/04/2019 Luxury Drinks, Tried and Tested True to the term ‘Navy Strength’, award winning, Dorset based Conker Spirit have launched their new gin, … Angelica, juniper and elderberry at first, tart cranberry-like notes come on mid-palate as well as a particularly pronounces citrus note. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Conker Spirit Dorset Dry Gin, 70 cl at Amazon.com. It’s made just up the road from where I was born, it’s the first/only gin distillery in Dorset, and it not only makes a tasty gin, … Conker Street Gin is made from a traditional base of 10 botanicals in the London dry style (or "Dorset dry" as they would have it), familiar to gin enthusiasts for the juniper forward flavor. This process takes around 12 hours, and while initially Holloway was only producing 60 bottles a day, the newer kit and a higher botanical intensity means he’s able to process a few hundred per still per day. On the lips, the juniper hits at the same time as the spirit, creating a pine explosion that’s further accentuated by the vivacious nature of the lime peel, which also leaps in to makes itself known. Conker Spirit’s Dorset Dry Gin stands in stark concept to some of the other gins in this year’s gin advent celebration. The nose is initially a bit foresty and green, with dark boreal pine and resiny juniper notes. Check your inbox. ... Conker Dorset Dry Gin. The Dorset Dry is a fresh approach to gin, balancing 10 botanicals the Dorset … Free from the constraints of tradition, we’re in pursuit of the new and exciting, with a ruthless focus on quality. On first sip, … And outward. Cotswolds Dry Gin. Learn about gin production, the history of the rise of Conker Spirit and how they landed on the final 10 botanical recipe of the Dorset Dry. Only one conker will emerge victorious, its owner grinning savagely through a face smeared with the entrails of lesser seeds. It's perfect in this incredible G&T recipe! That is to the lands around Dorset where the sea vegetable Samphire and Ulex flowers (an evergreen shrub distantly related to peas) grow wild. Founded in 2014, Conker Spirit was the first distillery to emerge from Dorset. We’re familiar with a London Dry gin but Dorset Dry? Discover our blog full of gin cocktail recipes, reviews, competitions and everything you ever wanted to know about gin! 185. Once the moment passes, juniper and elderberry intermingle happily and a warming heat of cassia comes through on a dry finish. The fact that it’s high-proof turns this delicious combination into something of a weapon, because a few deep breaths in and you’ll be coughing in the corner and yet you still feel compelled to do it all over again. The focus was only on quality. Conker Dorset Dry Gin – 40%ABV. Conker is one of England's up-and-coming gin distillers. The name Conker, incidentally, was a happy accident. The palate is vivid as well; however, a bit more traditional at points. The oak is clear, but it’s not tannic, rather it imposes a fruity and subtle wood note, much tamer than the flavours you’d typically get from the likes of American oak, with more of the previous occupant noticeable here than the ageing process or the charred wood. Dilution brings the jammy elderberries stampeding to the fore, with the fruits somersaulting across the tongue like a troupe of marionettes. It’s a smooth gin with a taste that lingers – fresh at the fore, though sweet throughout. Curio Gin. Gin Bottles Alcohol Bottles Wine Label Design Bottle Design Premium Gin Gin Distillery Gin Brands Gin Gifts Gin …  We’d strongly advise giving the blog a read, though accept no responsibility for those feeling the inevitable itch that comes from a long week at work who, inspired by Holloway’s successes, fire off an 8pm email to HR saying they can’t come in on Monday – or ever again, for that matter – because they’re too busy pursuing their dreams, damn it! Holloway could work from a blank canvas, taking a sip-by-sip approach when creating the recipe for his Dorset Dry Gin. Conker Spirit Dorset Dry Gin Review Posted by admin on July 6, 2017 August 29, 2017 We don’t know about you but we’ve been reading all sorts of studies lately that suggest that drinking gin … Cream. Conniption American Gin. Conker Dorset Dry Gin The name conjures up images of crisp autumn walks in the English countryside, and indeed this Dorset gin is produced with local ingredients top of the list. Smith also helped Holloway develop his palate for picking out individual botanicals, an area that too few forget to do. Conker Spirit was founded in 2014 by Rupert Holloway, who traded in a career as a chartered surveyor to learn about and pursue creating a new gin; the Dorset Dry. We’re not alone in our fandom, either – with over 60,000 bottles sold a year and consistent five star reviews, it seems that Conker Spirit Dorset Dry Gin is growing a litltle army. The distillery’s flagship offering was reduced to around 45%ABV before being added to former Port barrels (8 at a time) and left to rest for 8 weeks. Lime zest and bitter orange, the finish is long with lime and cucumber notes, with a halo of coriander spice. £5 from every sale goes to the RNLI in a partnership that will last (and hopefully be extended thereafter) three years. A refreshing take on a classic London Dry – well-balanced and Juniper-led, but with the bright and refreshing Dorset notes of elderberries, samphire and handpicked gorse flowers. On the nose, both the sweet port and the woody barrel are obvious to discern, bringing a forest fruit sensation on top of what is familiar Conker Gin territory (summer meadows and soft sweetness). Though a little craggy around the edges now, Holloway was a fresh face in the drinks industry when Conker Gin launched. Holloway sent his girlfriend Emily a message to say that he’d decided to create a gin and she replied, quite accidentally, with the word ‘conker.’ He realised it was the perfect name: “nostalgic, very British and a word everyone knows but rarely uses. Overall: A wonderful take on dry gin that would shine with a helping of elderflower tonic. A slight twist on a classic London Dry profile, Conker Dry Gin is well-balanced and Juniper-led, but with the bright and refreshing Dorset notes of elderberries, samphire and handpicked gorse flowers adding … Dorset Dry Gin was also featured in my book Gin: The Art and Craft of the Artisan Revival, which makes a great Christmas gift. Continuing…. A quick glance at Conker Spirit distillery owner Rupert Holloway gives you the impression that he’s the kid whose conker would win. I suppose that’s more of a snooty sommeliers’ with a dash of savvy marketeer tasting note, if it even is one, but I trust you don’t mind pardoning this meta moment. Rather than money, Holloway was rich with the opportunity that comes from having no responsibilities – no children, no mortgage. The Stills are heated until all of the alcohol evaporates away from the botanicals, taking their essential oils and flavour with it. Zilch,” says Holloway. Receive 10% off on Gin Kiosk when you sign up too! This has turned out a blessing, in our opinion; a quick glance at the scene five years on shows a couple of competitors – Pothecary, Lilliput – but if someone were to task us to name a Dorset Gin right off the bat, this is still the first we’d think of. The hearts cut is left to sit for two weeks before Holloway blends it to 40% bottling strength with New Forest spring water. The drink sits well when sipped on ice, but the very nature of its evenly-spread botanical mix means that its one you can play with. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. It just never needed to grow up. The resulting distillate is at a strength of 80% ABV. As a team of friends they share a passion for creating top-class gin that embraces the botanicals that can be found growing (often foraged by the team) across Dorset's picturesque countryside. A peak at Holloway’s blog shows his positivity and determination –  every hurdle back in the day was taken as a lesson, rather than an exercise in futility. Conker Gin has been a bit of a slow burner. Nicely balanced overall with a lovely green profile that suggests verdant fields and dark forests, while still highlighting a lot of traditional gin character through juniper, coriander and citrus primarily. To create his higher proof offering, Holloway dropped gorse as a botanical from the recipe all together, instead deciding to increase the amount of juniper, elderberry and samphire to allow for a more classic, resinous hit. But while others look backwards digging up ancestral and heritage recipes that give it the weight of time, Conker Spirits looks forward. Sit back and enjoy the view whilst sampling two unique Conker Gin … The labels are hand signed by Holloway, and the colours, though bright, are not jarring. Summery and sweet meadow-like aromas underpin the experience, with citrus and a soft, floral sweetness holding the juniper in place. Be the first to review the Drinks by the Dram Single Cracker - Conker Spirit Dorset Dry Gin Once maturation reaches its optimum moment, with the liquid taking on a fiery, caramel hue, it’s disgorged and diluted to bottling strength with water. Initially, all of the ingredients were added, along with the base spirit and New Forest spring water, to Conker Spirits’ two 30-litre alembic copper pot stills – Aunt Fanny and Pumpkin – and left to rest for 12 hours. Gin is a clear, high-alcohol drink whose flavor is created by distilling neutral grain spirit with a combination of plant extracts (botanicals), most famously juniper berries (see also Genever). With Conker Spirit Dorset Dry Gin Holloway aimed to create a well-balanced gin, with no botanical much more dominant than any other. It is all about top-notch small batch gin distilled in Dorset from British wheat spirit and New Forest Spring Water. Dorset’s Dry Gin. Since launching, there have been two additions to the range, with both a Cask Aged and a Navy Strength releases in the winter of 2018. It can be ... Stores and prices for 'Conker Spirit Dorset Dry Gin… Dorset Dry Gin Hand crafted in Dorset by Conker Spirit. Dorset Dry Gin was also featured in my book Gin: The Art and Craft of the Artisan Revival, which makes a great Christmas gift. A gin that can be enjoyed neat or in the classic way with tonic. He soon added an old friend, Fred Gamper, to the team, and though it’s remained very much a tiny, the growing number of brilliant products (half a dozen at present, including an exquisite coffee liqueur) implies a distillery that is very much more than the sum of its parts. Many producers are snobby about the multi-shot process, but we can’t say we ever noticed a change in quality between then and now…. 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