If you are after a self-guided Gin tasting experience then is for you!
A few weeks back I headed to the Still Sisters Distillery in Frome for a gin tasting experience. It’s a tiny little distillery with one small copper still and you’ll find it hidden on the industrial estate.
On arrival we were shown to our seats and told which Gin’s we would be trying that evening along with a selection of tonics for the table. The table had two sheets on which showed us what the gins were, the distilling process and the history. The staff left us too it and just brought out the gins once we had finished each one and also kindly offered their opinion on the choice of mixer for each one.
The Gin
We were given four gins to try and two samples of each, mind you they weren’t small samples!
Rose & Hibiscus – London Dry 40%
This was our first Gin of the night was the Rose & Hibiscus served with a garnish of rose petals.. A floral gin packed with rose. I the same mixer with both samples of this gin, which was the Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic, which went perfectly and brought out the hibiscus notes. I added the rose petals to one of the samples, however this really didn’t add much for me apart from trying to take this bits out of the mouth after. Note to self, looks good but not for me! Overall a perfectly mellow flavoured gin and makes a change to the bog standard sweet pink gins.
Flow Bar – London Dry 40%
The second Gin of the night was the Flow Bar served with dried orange. I love a citrus gin and this was no exception. I just used a Fentimans Premium Tonic as I wanted the best from this gin. It had a nice peppery kick with a citrusy undertones that I love in a gin and the orange garnish just made it that bit more special.
Somerset Apple – London Dry 40%
I had high hopes for our third gin. The Somerset Apple served with some fresh apple garnish. Still sisters use Somerset Dabinett apples in this gin and normally being a 40% I find flavoured gin loose there taste as the juniper takes over, that said this was far from the truth and the apple was definitely at the forefront of this beautiful gin. I had one sample with the Fentimans Premium Tonic and other sample with the Double Dutch Cucumber & Watermelon both with the fresh apple. I preferred this with the Fentimans Premium Tonic as you got the full flavour of the apples. A beautiful gin that I’d happily choose to have again.
Watercress – London Dry 40%
Lastly was the one be and Jack had been looking forward to the most. There is only one other company that I know uses Watercress in gin, but I think more should. It’s packed full of all those flavours I love in a gin. Liquorice, citrus and that peppery spice from the watercress. I chose to go with the Double Dutch Cucumber & Watermelon with this gin and my god this was a match made in heaven.
To end the evening we were given a double Gin & Tonic of our chose from our favourite above. You’ve probably guessed which one I went for, but if not it was the Watercress Gin with Double Dutch Cucumber & Watermelon served with a mint garnish.
This is the perfect gift for someone or a treat to yourself if you like a self guided gin tasting. I was advised on my booking it would take around 2 hours, but sadly this wasn’t the case for us and I prefer learning about the company from the staff themselves rather than a piece of paper. That is my preference though, so if that is what you prefer it’ll be ideal for you.
They also have other experiences to choose from on their website, a bar and a shop on site. Safe to say I did take something home, but surprisingly this was not gin and a bottle of their Salted Caramel Rum which I love over ice.
Price: ££ / Where: Unit 2 Ashton Park, Handlemaker Rd, Frome BA11 4RW / Phone: 01373 474647 / Website: www.stillsisters.co.uk/
ginandcoast.co.uk 