Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 20.
• Small Gin September
• Brainchild of Vanessa @nessejay91.
• We have had Anfield Gin, The Wandering Bartender, Lava Spirits, Massingberd Mundy and finally Viper Gin
• So glad Vanessa decided to do a 5th week. 
• Viper Gin was a really good week. Really enjoyed the cocktail creation and looking forward to receiving my runner up prize.
• Congratulations to Carole @grandmasginparlour and Kerri @glassofgin_packetofseeds 
• Nipple In A Tipple
• This was created by @gin_meets_girl, my Instagram shoutout a couple of weeks ago.
• She works in an NHS breast department
• Fantastic chance for the instagram community to raise awareness for breast cancer
• Remember early diagnosis saves lives
• October is breast cancer month. 
• Monthly breast check is key
• So the challenge runs throughout October
• Come up with booby inspired drinks and cocktails
• Nothing is off limits whether it’s a G&T with a cherry on top or full on fancy pants cocktail.
• Spread the word about breast awareness and monthly checks. Post to #nippleinatipple
• @coppafeelpeople just giving
• Please have a look at @gin_meets_girl profile and share the #nippleinatipple post.

Weekly Gin Recommendation

• Weekly Gin Recommendation - Lava Spirits Coffee Orange Gin
• This is my favourite of Lava Spirits two gins. I think it is because Laura has successfully manage to harness 3 very bold flavours into a beautifully blended gin with juniper, orange and coffee.
• The nose of the gin is unmistakably orange with coffee undertones
• When Laura was on the podcast in episode 11 she explained how important it is to get the roasting of the coffee right. She has absolutely hit the perfect sweet spot. The coffee taste is not bitter but naturally sweet.
• This expertly blended, sweet coffee taste forms the first part of the flavour profile, it is followed by a beautiful orange flavour, although not too overpowering and finally you get the juniper at the end.
• I could quite easily have this neat on the rocks.
• I chose to pair it with my usual Mediterranean tonic in order to test it as a long serve. This really seemed to bring out the orange flavour.
• It happily sits with any light standard or Mediterranean tonic. 
• I personally would not put it with any other flavoured tonic. 
• I am disappointed with myself that I did not try this with ginger ale or ginger beer, as Laura had suggested. because I think this would be a fantastic serve.
• I can’t decide whether I would have this as a dry Martini or not. It certainly has the smoothness I look for.
• For me though I think this really comes into it’s own with the plethora or cocktails that you could add it into or adding over ice cream or in desserts.
• Congratulations Laura on producing something totally different which is blended to perfection.

Where do you go to find out more about distilleries ?

Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

• Follow people on your chosen social media platform and if they suggest something try it.
• For example I follow all things mixology for Vanessa @nessejay91 but she follows me and quite often listens to some of the brands I talk about.
• She has bought from @pitwheeldistillery and @theedgegin for example directly after listening to what I have said.
• I really like that because I want to support the distilleries and as I said last week if you can’t buy the gin then post about the gin you like.
• Once you find someone that you respect their views then this is one source of inspiration you can use.

Online Events

• Events like #smallginseptember are really good because you can see behind the scenes
• Get to know the people who run or work at the distilleries.
• Also challenges mean prizes and a change to try the gin
• Lava Spirits and Viper Gin gave me a runner up prize for producing a cocktail.
• The reason why Lava Spirits is this weeks recommendation is because I had forgotten how lovely it is and now I want to shout about it
• Viper Gin will get a review from me also.
• If I really like Viper Gin that will also go on my weekly recommendation list
• Giving away miniatures like this gives consumers a chance to taste exactly as you would at events or markets
• Not advocating giving away gin other than in the context of a particular event

Minatures on Website

• I have talked about this before
• Imperative to have miniatures as an option on your website so that you can sample before you buy
• This is exactly what a distiller does at markets and events. The difference is the consumer is paying for it which is win win for everyone

Consider flat packing

• I have talked about them before and I am sure I will again
• The Gower Gin Company produce their range of gins bar the dragons strength as a flat pack for £14.95. Great value and gets you to taste the whole range

The Gin Guide

• Go to The Gin Guide for inspiration
• Most of the distilleries I talk to all point to this as a resource
• The review of the gins I know are really fair and give a really good indication as to whether you would like them or not
• They also have some great lives showcasing distilleries and distillery tours
• Also have gin of the week. This week it is The Gower Gin Company Dragon Strength.

The Gin To My Tonic

• Offer a series of events and festivals throughout the year
• Do a lot of meet the maker events which is your chance to meet the maker of your favourite gin
• Tastings - get a chance to taste a particular distilleries offerings

Gin Foundry

• Reviews
• Distillery map
• Tastings
• Interviews

Round Of Gin

• Search for particular distilleries and events all over the world.
• Reviews of any distilleries you like the look of

Sip and Share

• Membership based site where you pay initially £1 and then £2.99
• Get discounts on gin and exclusive access to membership only content for UK Best Distillers and Independent Retailers
• Also great spirits map to showcase where in the country distillers are located.
• I had not realised how many distilleries are so close to me.

Podcasts

• Scottish Alchemist Podcast - review gins, gin tastings
• The Gin Ignite podcast - this one. Weekly review, talks with distilleries
• Thirst of all - talks to various people in the industry about their first, last and never drinks

Craft Gin Club

• Monthly gin each month and a load of goodies
• Able to buy gin

The Botanical Trading Company

• Monthly gin each month

Third Party Websites

• I would always encourage you to go direct but these sites are good to see new additions or where the distiller does not sell directly
• Master Of Malt
• Spirits Kiosk
• Amazon - look for gins. Browse gin by award one in a country. International gins
• I Love Gin

Search on social media

• Browse the hashtag small craft gin or small batch gin

When open

• Artisan Markets
• Local Festivals

Instagram Community Shout Out

• My Instagram shoutout this week is @gin_obsessed_hayley
• I would like to thank you for your support.
• I really love your amazingly colourful and often floral posts apart from your last two spooky ones for this months craft gin Whitby Gin The Demeter Edition
• I really liked your recent post on @manhatten_Cocktails Winterbacher gin. I though it was very informative and very colourful. I must try a French 75
• You make me laugh with your ever so slight Rhino obsession which runs through your posts. For me it is not Rhino but giraffes !! Love the post with the Rhino gin.
• I liked your Negroni post and I have to say I struggle with all things decoration especially peel or some of the really intricate designs you see !!
• I loved your flat lay of Septembers Craft Gin Club gin
• I also loved your review of Massingberd Mundays Marie Jeanne gin and the photo.
• Keep doing what your doing and look out for my stories showcasing these all week.

Get In Contact

• IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
• E-Mail me at [email protected]
• If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at [email protected]
• If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at [email protected]

Final Thought

• The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
• The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
• Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
• Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
• Cheers