Last week I got a message sent through on my Instagram saying I’d won a competition. I never win anything so firstly that’s amazing in itself. Secondly it was a message to say I was a chosen winner of the Six pairs of ‘Copper Tickets’ that were up for grabs. It also happens I opened this message while at work and got a wee bit excited. After composing myself and finding out my favourite gin buddy could come with me I accepted the once in a life time opportunity to see behind the doors of Conker HQ.
Our night started with Vicki and I getting a little lost but when we finally arrived Rupert was there to greet us. There were a group of 10 of us ready to learn about our locally made gin.
We were taken around the distillery and Rupert done a fantastic job of explaining how Conker came about to how it is now distilled. He had great joy in telling us how the name came about and that is down to a text message from his wife. Starting with no knowledge on how to distil gin Rupert set out on contacting people, exploring flavours and experimenting. A year of hard graft and just look at what this small company have achieved since 2015. We were told how the copper pots are used, what is added and at what part of the distillation process the gin is ready for the all important bottling.
Every bottle is labelled on a little machine or by hand if this ever brakes down. All large bottles hand signed by the main man himself and then put ready for dispatching to the nation. It’s nice to see a company doing all this themselves. No middle man. That especially makes it more important for me and writing this. Why? Because I like to know where my produces come from if they are ‘made in Dorset’.
So what goes into a Dorset Dry Gin I hear you ask? Six main botanicals and we all had fun playing guess the botanical with this one! Knowing what botanicals are already used as this was explained to us earlier in the evening, we were given 6 bottles with the raw product in and 6 bottles with an infusion. We then had to pair the infusion with the product. Some were easy, some a lot harder. I think me and Vicki managed to get 3 out of the 6 right. So the six botanicals that Conker use are; juniper, gorse flowers, marsh samphire, elderberry, orange peel and lime peel.
The last part of our evening was the best part. Getting to try all of the amazing spirits Conker has to offer. In a lovely Conker glass we each placed some ice in the bottom and started with our spirits neat, then with a dribble of tonic and then a dash more tonic. I couldn’t believe how it makes the gin taste so different. Until you go for a proper tasting session you won’t either! Here is my low down on the gins and spirits tasted.
Conker Dorset Dry – a spicy, earthy gin. A gin made for me really as that how I like my gins. Saltiness of the samphire with juniper and elderberry coming through when neat, but with tonic you can taste the citrus notes nice and subtly.
Conker Navy Strength – A new one recently released to support our local RNLI teams. I’m not a fan of navy strength normally but this one have completely changed my mind. Neat it blows your head off, but add tonic and the orange shines through making it a very enjoyable gin and tonic.
Conker Port Barrel – something completely different, that day we got to try the first opened bottle. Smooth, packed full flavour and a great pink colour. I’ll be honest I’m not a port lover, but I didn’t mind this little number.
Conker Cold Brew – A rich coffee liqueur made from only the finest coffee beans from Ethiopia and Brazil, roasted by one of Dorset’s finest coffee roasters. I absolutely love this and had to buy one for Christmas. Great over ice and even with no added flavours you can taste the caramel notes normally added to other coffee liqueurs. We also got to try The Cold Brew Gin and Tonic. Coffee liqueur added to your gin and tonic, who would have thought it? Well Rupert did and got it spot on!!
Thank you for an absolutely wonderful night! I’ve learnt a lot, fallen in love with the first Dorset Dry Gin and supported local. I wish you the best in your up and coming ventures and hope to see the Conker team at the Dorset events next year.
ginandcoast.co.uk 