Lockdown has made launching their new business difficult but before they have even started to sell their gin, the pair have been able to make and supply alcohol-based hand sanitiser to the local community, supply key worker services including the police and care homes.
Their first gin, which is now on sale, pays tribute to Maidstone’s local history and its long and happy gin distilling history. Less than 150 metres from the new Maidstone Distillery site George Bishop was making his gin in 1785 and shipping out of Maidstone 5,000 gallons (22,730 litres) a week.
In the 1700’s local herbs and plants would have been used to flavour the gin and, in keeping with tradition, Darren and Sam have sourced wild foraged botanicals to flavour the ‘Ranscombe Wild’ gin recipe.
Ranscombe Farm Nature Reserve is the main source for these plants and one of the most important places in Britain for wildflowers.
Each bottle sold will generate a donation to Plantlife to help its conservation work, in saving wild plants. Maidstone Distillery is now open and from the end of August Darren and Sam will offer distillery tours, mixology classes and experiences in flavouring gins.
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