Ginignite

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

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

News

Welcome

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 38
• Are you getting value from the podcast ?
• Do I need to have more guests on ?
• Would I be better embracing lives ?
• This week live with Tristan from Massingberd Mundy

Review

• Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

• Weekly Gin Recommendation is Leonards Lee Gardens Botanical Gin
• Leonards Lee is very close to where I live and I was given this as Christmas by Jon and Elaine. Shout out to you two.
• It is from a really exciting gin distillery very close to me called Cabin Pressure spirits and it really embodies the true kind of country garden flavour in a lovely floral gin
• The nose of the gin has a sweet floral aroma
• The flavour profile starts with a dryness followed by a rose flavour sweetened by the honey and elongate with the chamomile. At the end of the profile you get the lavender which is a really lovely bonus.
• In tonic the flavour completely changes and the lavender really comes to the front of the profile.
• I think this would be really interesting in a cocktail with a lavender based sugar syrup of The Starlino Rose Aperitivo. The are so many interesting flavours to play off.
• I didn't think I would be saying this but this has definitely got to the top of my long buying list and one I would really recommend trying. They also do a 10cl bottle which is really good for testing purposes.

The Ying and Yang of Sugar Syrups

• Alcohol often is not calorific but a few cocktails are not the best thing for you but we still like to have them
• You know not great safest way to browse the internet have not internet
• Interesting experiment as I have finished quite a few of the peripheral spirits like Strawberry and Raspberry liqueurs etc could I replace them with sugar syrup
• Double whammy of sugar hit and high performance taste
• The answer is a profound yes. Less alcohol. More taste
• So I decided to buy Le Sirop de Monin. I have had their sugar syrup for ages. For the live tonight Tristan encourage me to buy one which started off this process
• If you want to know about that one you will have to listen in tonight
• Strawberry - already used in Daiquiri but would like to use in Martini. Rich taste
• Blackberry - lots of serves recently by Nessymixedit which included this
• Hibiscus - really gorgeous flavour. Bit Campriesequ dry so I have found adding additional Raspberries good idea
• Raspberry - would be ideal with Marie Jeanne or Stockport’s Pink gin. Really lovely flavour or Rhamanta
• Honey - lots of hot serves recently have had honey in. Really nice not too sweet and really runny. Does not work with pancakes as it is a bit insipid.
• Pineapple - really looking forward to using this very soon. Not quite sure how.
• So many other flavours like floral Rose, Lavender or Violet
• Coconut or Passionfruit Mango or Vanilla
• Cherry, Ginger, Lychee (Claire at The Edge Gin)
• Go out there and try them. I sincerely don’t think that you will disappointed.

Instagram Community Shout Out

@theedgegin

• Claire is one of the most lovely people I know and she is fantastic to talk to.
• She came on the podcast in Episode 14 and was brilliant in describing her brand
• The Edge is such a playful brand all around the Wizard at Alderley Edge. It really inspires so many people and is such an amazing thing to base your brand around
• Their gins are wonderful from their London Dry with Goji berries which just make it a bit more unique than others
• The L’Orange gin, surprisingly probably my favourite is a very versatile gin that is happy in cocktails or just in a G&T. What’s more unlike many other orange gins it is not sweet or in your face.
• The Pear gin is also a very versatile gin with a unique taste happy in a G&T or in a cocktail
• If you are lucky enough to live in Cheshire, one of the many capitals of gin in this country, look out for them at the many markets they attend.
• If you have not already definitely go and have a look at this brand.

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

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

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

News

Welcome

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 37
• By far the biggest bit of news this week is still the news that Paul has left his job of 17 years.
• I am still so over the moon for him. I am also suitably impressed at their new website. It is really slick and really improves the navigation. If you have a moment why not go on and have a look.
• Sip and Share have grown past 200 members. So proud of you Kate.
• I will be going live on YouTube this time not this Friday but next Friday 19th February at 20:00. I am going to be talking with Tristan from Massingberd-Mundy all about Marie Jeanne.
• He is my instagram should this week.

Review

• Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendatio Dulwich gin

• I have always been a big fan of dill. Even when I had to chop a lot of it to add to Gravalax when I worked in Munich.
• Nose - vague smell of dill. Not the normal in your face
• Flavour profile dry slight delay then a slight acidic tone follow by a smoothness full of dill, which almost dances on your tongue and then finally you get a bit of heat from the alcohol
• I quite like it as a sipping gin. Could really see it working with a gravalax.
• With tonic, usual Mediterranean get dryness and a much clearer dill taste.
• Absolutely desperate to try this as a dirty martini. Also keen to finally try some bourbon as I think it might go very well with this. Such a fun flavour. Will keep you posted on other cocktails
• It has a proud place on my gin shelf. Thank you to The Botanical Trading Company.

The sophistication of the Daiquiri

• Daiquiri = Sophistication, Suarve & Panache
• Ernest Hemingway allegedly had 15 in a night. I struggle to do 4 cocktails if I am lucky before I got to sleep !!

Where did it come from ?

• Jennings Stockton Cox from the iron mines of Daiquiri in Cuba. Came up because ran out of gin ! That was very careless that would not happen to you or me.
• John F Kennedy sipped Daiquiris after beating Nixon in 1960’s
• Traditional recipe with rum I am always keen to find a good gin. This week I tried it with Rhamanta and it was really nice.
• Basic recipe 2 parts alcohol, 1 part citrus and 1/2 part sugar
• Sometime I use sugar syrup but I have just recently invested into the wide plethora of Monin syrups so I tend to use. I have got flavours from Strawberry to honey to hibiscus
• This basic recipe kind of works really for any spirit but I think it work for gin really well. These days I am a bit of a lime fan so I would probably try and mix it to that but you could easily go down the orange or the lemon route and find a suitably well chosen gin.

Gins to try it with

• Dulwich with a bit of a dill vibe
• Love with Rhamanta
• Very interested to try with Stockport Pink Edition or Twist of Lime Edition
• Would love to try with Lind and Lime
• Great with Pear or L’Orange gin from The Edge Gin
• Thunderflower for that liquorice kind of flavour
• LAW gin from Ibiza for lots of interest flavours
• Like all cocktails the fun is adding things to them or making them better by adding further alcohol

Instagram Community Shout Out

@tristan.jorgensen_

• My shoutout this week is to someone very special. He is the first real distiller that I met.
• I did my first live with him and I am going to my first YouTube live with him too.
• He is one of those people that amazes you and pushes you. He wanted to use single malt whiskey in our first meeting and I can’t tell you what he has asked for in the live on YouTube but it has really got me out of my comfort zone in a good way.
• Started distilling on the island of Isla. Moved round various places and ended up at Massingberd Mundy
• Produced two great gins. Burrell’s and Marie Jeanne
• I love his recent pictures of the snow
• I always love his posts about Angelica, his still.
• He did a post recently where he had just finished a batch of the Marie Jeanne gin and had to add in that it had been named no.1 gin at the craft gin club. Does not surprise me.
• Great post with Paul Burrell holding a bottle of Burrell’s
• Nice picture showing Tristan and the sloes he collected whilst on the telly on BBC Countryfile. Is he making Sloe gin ? Can I get in on a bottle ?
• I also really like the post where he is standing next to Charles Burrell

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

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

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

News

Welcome

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 36
• Paul is working full time at Stockport Gin
• The Gin Guide awards are accepting applications.
• Lots of things are a foot that I can’t confirm at the moment. The podcast is changing and evolving.

Review

• Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin RecommendationStockport Gin - The Pink Edition

• One of the biggest questions Paul and Cheryl got asked at markets was “Do you do a pink gin ?”
• Paul and Cheryl never really intended producing a pink gin because they are not really fans because a lot pin gins in the marketplace are either full or sugar or too full of flavour.
• They finally decided to take the plunge and work on a pink gin but it had to be on their terms. They took their original gin and post infuse it with raspberries, strawberries and pomegranate.
• So is it any good ?
• It is definitely my favourite Stockport Gin and it does not surprise me that they were the winner of the flavoured gin category at the The Gin Guide Awards.
• The nose of the gin has the aroma of red fruit 
• The flavour profile starts sweet followed by a burst of fruit then dryness then heat from the alcohol and finally fruit.
• The colour is slightly pink
• When you add tonic, in my case you guessed in Mediterranean tonic, you still retain the fruit and dryness flavours. It is so refreshing. I can definitely seeing this one going down a storm on a summers day !! This would work well with any premium, standard, light tonic and Elderflower but again I would avoid other tonics with strong flavours.
• This is a must have dry Martini 😀
• I have tried this in many cocktails from simple Martinis 15:1 Montogomerys to more complex Martinis to Negroni and it work in all of them. I would really like to try this in a Cosmopolitan and a strawberry or raspberry daiquiri.
• I can thoroughly recommend this gin and it has a proud place on my gin shelf.
• Thank you Paul and Cheryl for all the work you do on Instagram in particular to enhance everyone’s experience with your one liners and congratulations to Paul going full time at Stockport.

How do you Valentine in the pandemic ?

• Lets not think about what we can do for Valentines rather than what I can't
• Plan with a gin. Mine is a Massingberd Mundy Marie Jeanne
• Buy cards, flowers and gifts online
• Think about the evening
• Shop in plenty of time and don't forget the ice
• How are you going set the mood. Smart lighting or candles ?
• What are you going to start with to drink ? For me a Rhamanta Gin 1:1 with a Starlino Rose Aperitivo
• Plan your meal so you can spend time with your loved one. Think about an oven based meal.
• If you are having a takeaway then get your order in early
• Turn off your phones and Instagram and social media
• Take your time with the meal
• Decide what you are going to drink. I would suggest something like Lind and Lime or Stockport Gin Twist of Lime Edition
• For fishy dishes why not consider Dulwich gin
• For a cleaner taste consider Martin Miller
• For pudding I would suggest an ice cream or cheesecake.
• If you want a really lovely recipe and want to go to town have a raspberry coulis with homemade shortbread and strawberries macerated with raspberry coulis !!
• I hope whatever you do that you have a lovely valentines day

Instagram Community Shout Out

@jackrosegin

• Chris & Sarah
• Prosecco & Starlino Rose Aperitivo
• WSET Level 2 Spirits
• Three Wrens Gin Bison Grass Gin Vanilla and Herby Elderflower tonic garnishe with apple and cinamon
• Whitby gin and Mediterranean tonic pink grapefruit
• A pink gin, Mistral with 12 botanicals and Mediterranean tonic and grapefruit garnish
• Hooting Owl North and West
• Like your Negroni @stameccoamaro bathtub gin and campari
• Three wren gins apple crumble gin
• Amazzoni gin with Yorkshire tonics pink grapefruit garnished with kiwi and pineapple ice
• I will add you to my stories 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

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

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

News

Welcome

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 35
• There have been some great things happening in the news.
• I did my first instagram live with Tristan from Massingberd Mundy. Really enjoyed it and is definitely something I want to do more in the future.
• I got a job which I am now in my second week. My very kind wife said that I could buy the range of The Gower Gin Company in celebration. Thank you to Sian and Andrew for their kind note.
• I have been really enjoying some of the one liners from Stockport gin
• I have been loving the Gower Gin company Rhamanta campaign at the moment. If you have not already tried it you really should and it will be in my stories all week as it is my weekly recommendation.
• I have been really admiring those who have managed to do dry ginuary. It is very impressive. I have been trying not to drink in the week and have managed apart from the first week.

Review

• Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin RecommendationThe Gower Gin Company - Rhamanta Gin

• I was very kindly gifted a bottle of Rhamanta from The Gower Gin Company and I have loved it ever since.
• I really love that it represent romance and it really is the perfect gin for Valentine’s Day.
• Plus there is £5 off if you buy a bottle up to 14th February 2021. What are you waiting for ?
• The nose of the gin has a delicate floral aroma.
• The flavour profile starts dry followed by a delay and the you get a prolonged floral taste. This is then followed by heat from the alcohol and then finally a delicate peppery finish.
• I could quite happily have this as a sipping gin with or without ice that is how diverse it really is.
• I tested this with my usual fever tree Mediterranean tonic and it made a lovely G&T.
• This is fabulous in a Martini especially a Montgomery 15:1. I am also going to try this weekend with @thestarlino Rose Aperitivo in a 50:50 mixture and I have high hopes for this too.
• I think it would be great for cocktails as longer as you bear in mind the flavour is quite delicate. I would be careful not to choose too stronger flavours to pair it with.
• This has a proud place on my gin shelf and I liked it so much I already have bought a bottle for stock.
• If you have not already tried them I can absolutely recommend any of the Gower Gin Company gins.

Where to start with Martini ?

• I think it starts with the glass
• Horrified to say that I used to have dry martini but with fairly mediocre gin.
• Totally different ball game when you go craft gin
• Also recently I had some red wine and I felt awful in the morning. I don’t get that with good quality gin. Not that I drink that much of it except on special occasions !!
• So what is a Martini and where does it come from ?
• It is believed that it derived originally from the Manhattan (Whiskey, vermouth, bitters, cocktail cherry) which led to the Martinez (gin 2 martini 1 5ml Marrachino cherry liquer)
• A martini essentially is the combination of gin and martini. A really dry martini is either a dash of vermouth or a Montgomery 15:1. A 1920-30 serving is more 3:1 and one that I am going to be trying is a 1:1 ratio
• The next thing is do you shake or do you stir. I always like to shake. Essentially it turns out that the generally accepted principle is that you shake stronger ratios and stir weaker ratios
• Then there is the garnish. Do you go olive, lemon or lime.
• Personally I would only go olive i.e. a dirty martini if you have a much more earthy gin like LAW gin. LAW gin is very unique in that it can play nicely with citrus but it can also easily pair with olive too.
• Going away from by beloved Rhamanta to more of a citrus vibe this can really make an amazing Martini. The like of Lind and Lime or Stockport Twist of Lime edition really make an amazing 15:1
• The you can go more orange with the gorgeous l’orange gin from The Edge Gin, which is an amazing gin that also is just as happy in a G&T.
• The trick with Martini is to make sure you understand what you want your taste profile to be and then choose the appropriate gin.
• If you want a really clean gin for example that is much more traditional then go for something like Martin Miller which is going to give you a lovely tasting gin. You can mix it up a bit and instead of the traditional garnish add some strawberries or raspberries.
• The think I also like about Martini is that it is also accepted that you can go a bit more modern. The likes of the Porn Star martini or Expresso Martini (replace the vodka with Coffee gin from Lava spririts and you cannot go wrong. In fact I am so excited about this prospect I definitely need to put this on my list of cocktails to try.
• I think you can also go a bit off piste with this as well and as long as you respect that you have to have vermouth or similar then you really can go to town.
• So before we go too much further lets think about Vermouth. The traditional vermouth is dry but I think you need to think carefully about what you pair it with. Generally vermouth is between 15-17% ABV
• The key thing is to think about what goes with what. So for example I love Starlino Rosso but I would not serve that with Rhamanta for example but I would serve Starlino Rose Aperitivo because it is the perfect accompaniment. Strictly speaking it is not vermouth
• Take something like Stockport Gin Twist of Lime edition. That works really well with a very dry vermouth like Regal Rogue ‘Lively’. Thank you Vanessa @nessejay91 for pointing me in the right direction on this one.
• Finally you have other spirits which I kind of see as kindred spirits to Vermouth such as Lillet Blanc which I bought to do a Vesper Martini which adds in vodka to the mix. I have tried this with Martini Miller and it is amazing but last week I tried it with Burrell’s gin and it took it to a whole new level !!
• So I think as long as you stick to broadly the right martini profile we can still call it gin.
• The modern martinis stray away a little from this but I would still call it a martini as long as it has a reasonable amount of gin and vermouth. My Merlins Martini takes it a bit further and puts pear gin, vodka, starlino Rosso, Elderflower and a bit of grand mariner and is a lovely serve.
• My Marple aqueduct is a nice serve as well with Stockport Gin Pink edition, strawberry liqueur, Apricot brandy liqueur, Starlino rose and lime juice.
• The amazing thing is I have only scratched the surface with Martini and I have so many gins that I want to try out various serves with. I hope that I have given you a bit of an insight into Martini and inspired your creative juices.

Instagram Community Shout Out

@jackrosegin

• Chris & Sarah
• Prosecco & Starlino Rose Aperitivo
• WSET Level 2 Spirits
• Three Wrens Gin Bison Grass Gin Vanilla and Herby Elderflower tonic garnishe with apple and cinamon
• Whitby gin and Mediterranean tonic pink grapefruit
• A pink gin, Mistral with 12 botanicals and Mediterranean tonic and grapefruit garnish
• Hooting Owl North and West
• Like your Negroni @stameccoamaro bathtub gin and campari
• Three wren gins apple crumble gin
• Amazzoni gin with Yorkshire tonics pink grapefruit garnished with kiwi and pineapple ice
• I will add you to my stories 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

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

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

News

Welcome

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 34
• Sip and Share has gone up to 118 members
• I am doing a live when this podcast is released at 19:00 today with Tristan from Massingberd Mundy
• Great guess the weight competition from Massingberd-Mundy and great competition from The Gower Gin Company

Review

• Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin RecommendationViper Gin

• I have been trying to get Carl on the podcast for a long time but due to his contract gin commitments it has not been possible.
• He started after suffering a back injury as a chef in London and wanted to find something that would allow him to continue with food and so studied nutrition up to a PHD and then started distilling.
• He was not sure what to call the gin when an adder or viper jumped out of the area they were clearing to grow botanicals for the gin.
• The nose of the gin has the distinctive London dry aroma
• The taste profile starts dry followed by a sweet flavour tingling on your tongue. This seem to linger for a long time and then finally you get heat from the alcohol
• I added my usual Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic and found the taste very pleasant. With tonic you still get the dryness and sweetness but the final taste I think is a combination of the elderflower and juniper.
• It is smooth enough for a dry Martini but would not work in my opinion.
• I think this would work for a variety of cocktails and I would like to try this as a base for a Daiquiri.
• I have added this to my long list of gin wants.

How do you find your Negroni nirvana ?

• Ask any gin drinker that does not have G&T particularly if they enjoy gin a number of ways what they think of Negroni and I guarantee you will get a plethora of answers.
• The very mention of the word seems to conjur up debate.
• So first of all if your asking what is Negroni and where did it come from.
• Difficult
• Accepted story 1920’s Florence and Count Camillo Negroni
• Ordered Americano Campari, Italian Vermouth and Soda water but replaced soda water with gin.
• Great debate but more likely in 1919 or 1920 to be Camillo Luigi Manfredo Maria Negroni order in Cafe Casoni asked his Americano to be fortified with gin
• Whatever the story accepted quantities are:-
• 1 part Gin
• 1 part Vermouth
• 1 part Campari
• This should be stirred in a glass over cubed ice for 60 secs and then strained in a chilled rocks glass with ice.
• Garnished with a slice of lemon or grapefruit
• That recipe is from the curious bartender
• The key thing to your negroni is first of all how you flex the parts of the drink and what type of gin you use for example or Vermouth or if you even use Campari.
• So adjusting the quantities may not be accepted by the true negroni officionardos but is widely accepted by the Negroni community.
• I would for example would probably up the Gin and Vermouth by quarter a measure and reduce Campari to half.
• The problem for me is that I like to follow rules so for me I want to keep 1 part rule for the three components
• The biggest problem for me is the Campari. Like any true mixologist or trainee mixologist in my case you have to taste everything neat
• Have you ever tasted Campari neat. I think it is worse than Gordons neat. Initially the flavour profile is of a lovely sweet, slightly orange liquid. This is soon followed by the driest of tastes.
• So what are the options. Take out the Campari and replace with Aperol. I have made a lovely Negroni with @theedgegin, @thestarlino Rosso Vermouth and Aperol
• Alternatively you could keep the Campari but adopt one of the most amazing transformations in the world and infuse strawberries with Campari. Thanks to Tammy @forcocktailsake for this idea. The Campari goes from being the driest thing ever to like a mildly, flowing, gloopy syrup which has a modicum of dryness. This is my new way of doing Negroni
• I tried it with @stockportgin, Pink Edition Gin and @thestarlino Rosso Vermouth. One of the nicest Negronis I have tasted
• What about the Vermouth. Well here you can really go to town why not swap out from Dry Vermouth to a red vermouth or go wild with Lillet Blanc instead
• I tried recently a Burrell’s gin, Lillet Blanc and Infused Campari with Strawberries and it is a winner.
• The next part of the equation is the gin. There are a plethora of gins. I prefer to work with a standard gin or pink gin but I have tried and orange gin. I don’t see why you would not try a lemon or lime gin.
• I had a comment from Laura @lavaspirits to say her go to is Campari, vermouth and her coffee gin which I think would put a very unique spin.
• The there is the making of Negroni. Most purists would stir and then serve with ice.
• Me personally I would shake and serve with no ice but add a garnish of Orange
• Ultimately the possiblities are endless and you should not be put off finding what works for you. Just experiment
• I would love to hear what you decide.

Instagram Community Shout Out

@ginandcocktails

• I am delighted to announce that Gin & Cocktails have 6000 followers. So well deserved. I love the fact also they are two Scouse ladies. I have a strong affiliation with Liverpool as my family are from there
• Love your picture of summer fusion of @brentingbygin mini. The colours are amazing 
• The off piste gin sounds right up my street. Love the sound of the flavour profile with vanilla, creaminess and juniperer. How could you go wrong ?
• I love the M&S Clementine gin. The bottle looks so amazing and also refreshing that it does not get washed away by the Fever Tree Clemantine tonic. Also like the idea of mixing it with prosecco
• Oooh love you Expresso Martini with Aberfalls Salted Toffee Liqueur. I think I would have gone for their Coffee and Dark chocolate myself which is absolutely lush !!
• Glad to see you have tried Marie Jeanne from Massingberd-Mundy. I agree with your comment flaming gorgeous. I think it is one of the nicest gins I have tasted.
• Really liked the post on Martin Millers Winter gin and what you did with it to make it into a mulled gin with 50ml Martin Miller, 75ml clementine juice, 5ml honey and 100ml host water. Absolutely lush.
• So glad you have got to 6000 followers.
• Thank you for the support of the @ginignite account and the podcast.
• I will be adding you to my stories 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

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

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

News

Welcome

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 33
• Stockport Gin have started up again and had some great posts showing their production in full flow. They also announced an exciting project which they will be revealing very soon. They have also been out doing local deliveries. What could be better than Paul turning up at your door with gin ?
• Tammy Jackson from @forcocktailsake had a great reel showing having a Martini whilst listening to Boris tell us all about Lockdown 3.0.
• The Gower Gin Company have decided that after doing Veganuary and Dry January in previous years that this year they are going to do some walking. They are going be taking photos of their 6 pack of all their gins in various places on their travels. Worth thinking about investing in. Was £30 now £22.95. Bargain. I have just received the one I ordered. Can’t wait to try them in cocktails. So excited to try Rhosili Dragon Strength
• Four Pillars have put out a post which caught my eye with their Bloody Shiraz gin which pair it with Bitter Lemon which sounds very interesting. Have not mentioned it but they have done it again with foodstuffs and their Bloody Shiraz Gin Caviar !!
• Sip and Share UK - Kate got to 100 members which is amazing. I am proud to say that I am one of them. Kate is tireless in the work she puts into the membership site both from distillers and members. If you have not already you should definitely check it out.

Review

• Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin RecommendationStockport Gin - Twist of Lime Edition

• Early in 2019 Stockport Gin were asked to participate in a big project called the The Big Leap.
• Nineteen frogs were painted by local artists and placed all over the town. The idea was at the weekend that you would follow a map and find all the frogs and see different parts of the town.
• They created this gin specifically on behalf of this project
• After the project came to an end and pleas from local bars to keep supplying this gin, it became part of their standard range at the beginning of this year.
• The nose of the gin has subtle lime aroma.
• The taste profile has a sharp citrus burst, followed by a sweet flavour and then goes dry with a lime aftertaste. The lime is very delicate and not too in your face.
• I added it to my normal testing Mediterranean tonic and it made a really refreshing G&T. This would work well with any premium, standard, light tonics or Elderflower but I would avoid any with really strong flavours.
• It is so smooth and such a great flavour that it is amazing in cocktails. The lime has quite a bite neat so I would probably not create a dry martini but I have tried it as a Tom Collins and I will be trying it very soon as a gin based Mojito.
• I have also come up with some other cocktails which will be showcased this Tuesday coming and Thursday.
• This is another amazingly versatile gin which can be used in a G&T or a plethora of cocktails and has a very proud place on my gin shelf.

Lockdown 3.0 Coping Mechanisms

1. Support Network

• Family
• Friends
• Online Community
• Online Groups

2. Routine

• Get up at the same time (05:00 for me)
• Have breakfast and follow regular meals
• Get out of your PJ’s
• Limit your time on Netflix
• Set boundaries between you and work

3. Food and Alcohol

• Try and have just your meals and leave snacks until weekends
• Think of fridge as nice person as long as you don’t visit too many times
• Eat healthily. Recipe going out each Wednesday
• Try to have alcohol at weekends or stick to one in the week (that is my rule)
• One meal off. Don’t worry about alcohol consumption within reason

4. Get outside

• Go for a walk
• Try and allocate at least half an hour a day for exercise

5. Be Thankful and Positive

• I am trying to say thank you to at least one person a day for something
• Try and be as positive as you can be. National PJ day still rules !!

6. Take each day one at a time

• Come to terms with the new normal
• Reframe the situation. Try not to think of it as 6 months at home but rather 6 months without the commute
• Create lists of tasks
• Knock out those projects that you keep leaving for a rainy day

7. Help Others and help yourself

• Try and do your bit for people and if you can’t then stay home. Staying home is the new going out.
• If you find you are not coping:-
• Samaritans - Call 116123 for free
• Mind - 0300 123 3393 or text 86463

8. Sleep, stay nourished and be mindful

• Binge watching till 1am
• Sleeping during the day
• Eat healthily
• Plan when you are going to have alcohol
• Think about how you can curb your anxiety by doing something to take your mind of it like meditation or just eating your food slower
• Restrict your new

9. Virtualise

• Think about how you can do things virtually Zoom, Instagram live, FaceTime
• Go on a walk at the same time as your friend and have a phone call
• Have a meal with someone virtually
• Have a drink with someone virtually

10. Future

• Think about what you will do in the future
• How will you really enjoy what you have ?
• There are things to look forward to like being able to not worry who is coming round the corner
• Hugging people

Instagram Community Shout Out

• Sue @mumslovegin
• Enjoyed your post at New Year with your @hepple_spirits Ultrasonic Negroni and then @manchester_ginraspberry gin with @chambordliqueur. Sounds amazing
• Loved you post with your Mackintosh London Dry and smug Ernie wearing your Gin Pal badge. I think Ernie is an elf ?
• Always love @theedgegin Pear. Check out my cocktail at the weekend where I worked with the Wizard of Alderley edge for another fabulous cocktail. See Ernie was also getting in on the act. Nice serve with @fevertreemixersElderflower tonic.
• Just got to your post and now I understand where the Ginpals badge comes from. I need to buy some Mackintosh gin it seems so I have a chance of getting one too !!
• Really like your post about your evening with @murphysgin. I was lucky enough to be given some also by @nessejay91 and found them really interesting. I was particularly surprised and inspired that they use an alembic still rather than the normal column still and I think this could probably account for the impressive taste
• I love that every few months you try a different Negroni combination. I think that is really good. I think my best one is with @theedgegin L’Orange, @thestarlino Rosso Vermouth and Aperol.
• Been enjoying your holy Island Gin posts as well. I definitely need to try one of their gins very soon.
• Also had to dig back a bit but glad you also reviewed Burrells gin from @massingberd_mundy 
• Thank you very much for all your support of the podcast and the @ginignite account.
• I will be adding you to my stories 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

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

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

News

Welcome

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 32

Quiet

• It has been fairly quiet as most distilleries took the time after Christmas to regroup and have a rest.
• I have also taken the time to have a bit more of a relax.
• I am hoping to have more to report next week.

Review

• Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin RecommendationLAW Gin

• This gin was introduced to me by Andie Riches when she was a guest on the podcast in episode 14.
• I got in touch with Luna (the L in LAW) and we arranged a date to speak about their gin. Luckily it was a bit ahead of time as they very kindly gifted me their gin.
• This meant that I was fully prepared before our chat.
• The nose of the gin has a subtle aroma of lemons
• The tasting profile starts slightly sweet before going dry and then you get an elongation of a lemon but with a sweetness which is just the right balance. At the end of the profile you get heat from the alcohol and finally to a subtle sweet flavour. You also get an interesting flavour and sensation on the tongue which I think is something to do with the prickly pear.
• It is a very unique taste and I think this comes down to LAW’s use of the alembic still. 
• On adding to Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic you get a very pleasant G&T which has really interesting taste profile. The lemon is somewhat dialled back.
• To me this is best gin to add to a dirty martini. It just bonds to the olives and creates a fantastic taste.
• This gin is also suitable to use with a variety of cocktails. I have tried a number that particularly play towards the orange or the lemon botanicals.
• It has a very proud place on my gin shelf.

5 Healthy Habits for 2021

Introduction

• So today 1st January 2021 marks the start of another year.
• Hopeful that Covid might be more under control during this year but don’t know when
• First lockdown a lot of people put on weight.
• As in the UK we are effectively in the third lockdown I am determined that we all need to start thinking about our weight. 
• Me included. Before we go the same way as lockdown 1 and 2.
• Weight loss is a almost a taboo subject and one which sparks a lot of controversy on how to successfully to manage it.
• The truth is you need to find a technique or programme or both that works for you.

1. Planning

1. Planning weekly meals -> Know what your having
2. Planning -> Shopping List
3. Utilise Ingredients - 2 meals
4. Frozen Items
5. Additional Condiments
6. Use Water
7. Rewarding within calories

2. Monitor your statistics

1. Weight yourself
2. Count your calories
3. BMI
4. Body Fat %
5. Steps 
6. Heart Rate

3. Exercise

1. Start doing some exercise
2. I walk twice a day
3. Don’t bite off more than you can
4. Build up from a starting point you feel comfortable with

4. Routine

1. Follow whatever the plan you are says
2. Try and consume the calories recommended
3. Have one meal where you don’t worry about what you have
4. Filling food to stop snacking 
5. Mental strength

5. Rewards and Trigger Points

1. Takeaway menus
2. Frozen pizzas 
3. One meal off a week
4. Keep going
5. Reward yourself for getting to certain goals

Instagram Community Shout Out

• Lorna @loopy4scottishgin
• Carebear post. I think you are right that only the Care Bears can save 2021. It seems that hopes of an end to all of this keep being dashed.
• I love your post on gunshot gin. I also love the colour of this gin and the thought of local honey, mixed spice, cinnamon and cloves all aged for 3-4 months. It is true that this maybe more of a liqueur than a gin but it looks amazing and I could see so many applications.
• The post you did on Britannia gin was really interesting and sounds as though you were very lucky to get hold of a bottle on the pickings website rather than actually visiting the Royal Yacht in Edinburgh. It sounds such a complex botanically rich gin absolutely in keeping with it’s namesake.
• I really liked your post on Isle of Bute gin. I have heard a couple of raving reviews for this very recently. As a Martini lover I think the Oyster gin that they produce would be the one for me as it seems would be your recommendation.
• Your post on Misty Isle Gin was really interesting and definitely caught my eye with those 11 botanicals. I also love the fact it is from the Isle of Skye. 
• I don’t know whether you have tried it but I can thoroughly recommend Lind & Lime from the Port Of Leith Distillery if you are looking for a new Scottish gin to try.
• Keep it up.
• I will be adding you to my stories 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

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

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

News

Welcome

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 31

Christmas

• The news is going to be short this week
• If you celebrate I hope you have a very merry Christmas and happy new year.
• I know 2020 has been difficult. Really hope that 2021 is going to be much better.
• Really look forward to joining you next year

Review

• Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

• The Gower Gin Company Pinwydd Gin
• There are a few distilleries where I am a real fanboy. The Gower Gin Company is one of those distilleries.
• I have spoken about it before but Sian and Andrew are botanical wizards. The way they mix the botanicals together is sublime and each taste is like paradise on your palette.
• Each of their gins is very distinctive but so well balanced. Pinwydd is no exception.
• The nose of the gin has the subtle aroma of orange and pink peppercorns.
• Upon taking it neat you get a dryness initially, followed by a sweet taste which meanders into orange and cranberry hitting you palette finally tapering off with the peppercorns.
• I tried it with Fevertree Mediterranean Tonic and it made a very pleasant G&T with a really subtle orange and peppercorn taste.
• I think you could easily pair this with most tonics although I would avoid ones which are very strong in flavour.
• I would definitely like to try this in a dry martini and I can see this working really well with many type of cocktails such as Negroni.
• This really is a gorgeous gin and I would strongly recommend trying the six pack offered by The Gower Gin. This will hopefully give you an idea which one to pick or you could be like me and you don’t know which one to choose.
• This definitely deserves to be added to my list of gin wants and will hopefully appear on my gin shelf very soon.

Ian Stirling from The Port Of Leith Distillery

Initial Work

• Worked in wine trade for Majestic and then Robersons
• Got to travel but eventually decided that wanted to produce rather than distribute a product
• Decided that although knew wine wanted something that could produce from Scotland and so decided on Whiskey

Where did it start ?

• Shared flat with other co-owner Paddy
• Shared Whiskey between the two of them and went on tasting and then got a little still
• No single malt distillery in Edinburgh
• Having lunch with client from China and they agreed to fund setting up the distillery
• So far in the whiskey distillery they have poured the concrete for the ground floor.
• About 15 months away from completion of the distillery

Started big in the gin distillery

• For Whiskey distillery have to start big
• For gin can start small but started bigger than a lot producers
• Invest in a unit
• Use organic neutral grain spirit from Switzerland

Structured Approach

• Challenge to produce gin because much larger volumes than expected
• 5 days process
• On Monday charge the still and put in six of seven botanicals with the organic neutral grain spirit to macerate. The Limes are left out and peeled
• On Tuesday and turn on still. Distillation day 10 or 11 hours and by end distillate is 60% and dilute down to bottling strength of 44%.
• Let settle for a day or two
• Bottle on Friday normally.
• Hand label each one
• Changed a bit because quite often doing 2 - 3 runs per week

Setup of gin house

• Hooked up with James Porteous at Electric Spirit Co to help design the gin
• They already produce a gin called Achroous
• Split rent and share still
• Reason for 500 litre still

Lind & Lime Brand

• Benchmark London Dry Gin
• Space for simple gin but do it very well
• Juniper should be front and centre but have citrus as well
• Heritage element of Port Of Leith as distribution point for cognac and wine
• Ian is exceedingly proud of where the business is now
• Great labour of love and took 18 lonely months to get out to the marketplace

Lind & Lime Gin

• Clear idea of what to create very early on for recipe development
• Limited to 7 botanicals
• Worked with James from Electric Spirit Co to develop recipe
• Wanted to make sure that all botanical balanced out
• When developing the recipe needed something to balance the lime and so add pink peppercorns.
• Tied back to Edinburgh and James Lind who was responsible for solving the issue of scurvy in the navy and was known for the first clinical trials
• Also link back to Roses Lime Cordial
• When it is neat get the juniper and pepper. Lime taste not so much because bound up with alcohol
• The moment you add anything else such as tonic releases the lime

Bottle

• The bottle is very different
• Liked burgundy bottle shape and thought would be cheap. Unfortunately produce it in 75cl but not 70cl which required for spirits
• Eventually decided that had to make bottle
• Added ribs down the bottle and liked green / blue glass
• Luckily green / blue glass was cheaper
• Took 18 months
• Found company in Italy
• Got 3D model first and then finally sample bottle
• At the bottom of bottle had Leith Glass Works edged on the base of the bottle tribute to industry which was massive in Leith
• Lots of customers re-using bottle for lights, home made Sloe Gin or olive

Where next ?

• Keep Lind & Lime pure so will not be adding any extra flavours
• Plans to do miniatures and magnums
• Also looking to do ready made G&T
• Distributing to 8 countries at the moment, expecting to be in 14 markets by the end of 2020. In 2021 will expand to 20.
• The more countries export gin to the better because eventually will use these links to distribute the Whiskey
• Won best London Dry and The Scottish Gin Awards 2020.

Contact

• Website
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook

What is your favourite gin other than your own and how would serve it ?

• Achroous gin
• James at Electric Spirit Co makes a gin with Sichuan pepper
• Serve as G&T

What does gin mean to you ?

• The End of Day
• Alcoholic gin when want to be refreshed
• Holidays / Relaxation
• Reminds of late father who liked gin. He would always review gin with his children on holiday.
• Sadly passed away before able to have a Lind & Lime Gin

Instagram Community Shout Out

• @nikkimendesuk
• I really started following Nikki from very early on when I started on Instagram.
• The think I love about her account is how her engagement makes you feel. She is really good at showing through her posts and stories what is happening next in her journey.
• I loved her recent post of port, gin and ginger ale altogether. Love the addition of the grated nutmeg
• Love the post about the cocktail Autumn Vibes. Really like the sound of this orange, lemon, gin, simple syrup and egg white.
• I really liked the post she did on the distilling course she did with Jamie Baxter. It was very different to the corporate path at Tesco that she worked on for 23 years.
• I also was so proud of the post when she had actually launched her gin.
• Finally I really loved the picture of her in a poppy field on International Gin & Tonic Day
• I also keep and eye on Nikki’s stories and I love it when she does her pieces to camera.
• It is always so fun being kept updated.
• Keep it up.
• I will be adding you to my stories 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

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

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

News

Welcome

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 30

What is your Christmas cocktail going to be ?

• So this is released on Friday so we have exactly one week to get into the Christmas spirit

Review

• Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Weekly Gin Recommendation - Pitwheel Distillery Classic Dry

• I have always been a real fan of Pitwheel distillery and it seems only fitting when reviewing 2020 to highlight this wonderful gin brand.
• Even though I had small batch gins it was not until I started tasting this gin that I realised how different craft gins are.
• This was also the first gin that I tasted neat.
• The nose of the gin has that familiar London Dry aroma and does not give any indication how special this gin actually is.
• On tasting it neat you get a dryness followed by a very, very subtle citrus flavour which reminds me of a very subtle parma violet taste on your palette.
• The taste is so smooth I would be quite happy to have this as a sipping gin.
• I tested this with Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic as usual and it created a very pleasant G&T. It would work well with a standard light tonic or Elderflower. It may even work with a hibiscus based tonic given that this is one of the key botanicals.
• This definitely has the smoothness for a dry martini but would not work for me personally.
• The palette is quite delicate so I would be careful what I paired it with cocktail wise. Maybe a lime based Tom Collins would be a good call.
• This is a gin which will be added to my long list of gin wants and is not on my gin shelf yet but I anticipate it will be in the future finances permitting

2020 Review

Merry Christmas

• So I thought I would review the year and wish you a very Merry Christmas all at the same time.
• So before I review the year I would like to thank all of you for taking your valuable time to listen in to me and my guests.
• I have managed to connect quite a few people together this year and I am really pleased about that.

Negativity

• There has been some negativity, especially related to Vanessa @nessejay91 who got here account shutdown for a while due to an unnecessary investigation because she was reported for impersonating somebody.
• Also Kate from @sipandshareuk had a troll which caused her no end of issues on some of her lives.
• I am glad to say that both of them talked about this and showed such strength through all of this and I am so proud of both of them.
• I am also so pleased that they hooked up and are doing a live with Charles and Mike on Monday 21st December 2020 at 20:00 which is really exciting.

2020 Review

• So now I wanted to look back at the guests that I have had on the show.

Nikki Mendes @theonlywayisgin

• Nikki Mendes was my first guest and she was planning to get her gin school, signature gin and distillery setup.
• Sadly due to Covid she did manage to release her gin on 16th November but the other two will have to wait until next year.
• I have got so much time for Nikki and I am looking forward to talking to here in 2021 when everything is up and running.

Vanessa @nessejay91

• Vanessa @nessejay91 came on the show.
• We had so much fun on the show and have had so much fun ever since.
• She really inspires me with her posts about everything be it LGBTQ+, her life in general or cocktails.
• I love how brutally frank and honest she is, her attitude to life and some of the inspiring things she has done this year like #smallginseptember.
• She is also my mixology master.

Laura Bridge from @lavaspirits

• Then the lovely Laura Bridge from Lava Spirits joined me.
• I remember speaking to her for the first time and was so excited she decided to include the podcast in her launch week.
• I am still in awe of her flavours in her gin.
• I still don’t understand how she tamed coffee and juniper let alone how she surpassed herself and tamed coffee, orange and juniper.
• Her brand is going from strength to strength and mixologist everywhere are enjoying the unique taste of her gin.

Tristan Jorgensen from Massingberd-Mundy on the South Ormsby Estate

• A true master distiller, of TV fame joined me in Episode 12.
• You can’t help but be wowed by Tristan’s exceptional botanical skills.
• His two gins Burrell’s and Marie Jeanne are just triumphant gins.
• I am honoured to have been gifted them by Massingberd Mundy.
• Since his appearance on Countryfile order have been flying out the door and I could not wish this more for anyone.
• I was absolutely honoured to have you on the show.

Ian Paget from @logogeek

• Then Ian Paget from Logo Geek joined me to go through how to think about your brand, whether you are an regular instagrammer, a distiller or a bar.
• This was so informative and it was an absolute honour to have him on the show as well.

Andie Riches @geordieslovegin

• The lovely Andy Riches came on the show to give us an insight as to why she started posting about gin and to talk about Mermaids and rowing.
• We also talked about what we looked for in brands and she interested me to the lovely LAW gin.
• One day I am definitely going to have to learn how to be a Mermaid with a pink tail to match my brand obviously !!

Mark Herbert @the_wanderingbartender

• Then I was graced with Mark from @the_wanderingbartender who explained how he had joined the navy to escape from the rain and what led to him meeting his wife and then getting into bar tending, managing and mixology.
• He was so fascinating also about his support of his wife’s business where he made a bespoke cocktail for the happy couple and delivered it to them wherever they were up a mountainside !!
• Mark was so kind with the knowledge he shared.

Clare Ryan @theedgegin

• After Mark came Clare from The Edge Gin.
• I have a particular love for The Edge Gin brand because of it’s story and also because Clare is so lovely and so easy to talk to.
• We talked all about this magical brand and their gins London Dry, L’Orange and Pear. It was absolutely amazing and to date she is the only one to ask for a side order of Alioli with her gin.
• I also got to make cocktails with Merlin, The Wizard of Alderley Edge.
• I am hoping to reprise this partnership with Merlin in the new year.

Paul Jackson @theginguide

• Then I was joined by Paul Jackson, who I can only describe as an absolute legend.
• I was so humbled that he joined me on the show and was so inspired by his knowledge.
• The thing I particularly liked was his explanation of The Gin Guide Awards which I will be watching closely starting in January.
• I love reading the writes up he does for the many gin brands and look forward to reading lots more in 2021.

Kate Carney from @sipandshareuk

• I then had my collab with Kate from Sip and Share.
• I have to say this is probably one of my best episodes because Kate is so bubbly and we had such a lovely conversation.
• Kate I promise that I will be joining Sip and Share in the New Year !!!
• She was so epic and kind with her help to anyone on Instagram about how to grow their account whether they were a regular instagram account or a distiller.
• If you have not done so already definitely check out her account.

Brit from @the_botanical_trading_company

• It was then the turn of the lovely Brit from The Botanical Trading Company.
• I have to be completely honest when I was introduced to Brit through Vanessa I was not sure whether her subscription service would work.
• How could it rival other larger subscription services ?
• By the end of our chat I had dropped my Craft Gin Club subscription and signed up to hers.
• I wish I had signed up a month earlier than I did because I missed out on Thunderflower gin.
• You win some you lose some.
• Since signing up I have had Lind & Lime gin which is sensational and Lin Gin which is very nice.
• I can’t wait to see what my next bottle is in January 2021 !!

Alex and Luna from @lawginibiza

• Then I went over to Europe (virtually) and spoke to the fabulous Luna and Alexander from LAW Gin.
• We had such a lovely chat and they were kind enough to send me a bottle of their gin. I have been using it for quite a few cocktails and it is so versatile.
• I am in awe of the process they use to create it in their Alembic still which is the same as it was in the Middle Ages.
• I am still hopeful that they will be distributed here in the UK in the not too distant future.
• Thank you to Paul at The Gin Guide for his help with this one.

Harry and Victoria from @cheshiremobilebars

• Everything seems to happen in Cheshire or Essex it seems gin wise and I was joined by Harry and Victoria from Cheshire Mobile Bars.
• I loved the idea of the mobile bar and more importantly their nationwide delivery service.
• I was also fascinated about Harry’s knowledge and talking to him about master classes.
• I think the favourite nugget I took away though is The Breakfast Martini !! Thank you Harry !!

Paul from @stockportgin

• Loosely related to Cheshire given it was part of that county until it move to Greater Manchester was Stockport Gin.
• I loved the passion Paul from Stockport Gin showed towards his town and his local football team.
• I love the way he clearly has inspired a lot of distillers and also that he has given back to the community.
• I also like the way that he and Cheryl run the brand.
• I was honoured to be gifted some of their gins and I have subsequently gone on to buy some of them for Christmas. Can’t wait to try them.
• If you want to know how to run a successful Instagram distillers account look no further than their account.
• I also love their passion for markets and the fact they are in partnership with Selfridges.

Tammy Jackson from @forcocktailsake

• Then I was joined by a quite simply outstanding mixologist who also happens to be a bit of a social media whizz.
• She was amazing about how she gave so many tips about what you can do with your own instagram or if you are a distillery or bar.
• In addition and the thing that most excited me was talking through how she would change some classic cocktails.
• I still have not tried an infusion but one with Campari and strawberries is definitely on the cards over Christmas.
• If you have not checked out her lives with Paul from Mix and Match on Tuesday and Thursday at 20:00 they are a must !!

Charlie and Mike from @charlesandmike

• Finally my last guest before this episode was Charlie and Mike from Charles and Mike Distilling.
• They told me all about their journey launching the first iteration of The Big Seven and how they have now moved into a new distillery and their Sloe gin.
• I wish them all the luck for next year and on their live with Kate from @sipandshareuk and Vanessa from @nessejay91 on Monday 21st December 2020.

My Instagram Shoutouts

• Vanessa @nessejay91
• Gill @geordieginqueen
• Jamie @jamie_and_gin
• Ali @gin_and_blooms
• Carissa and Lisa @poshginbirds
• Jayne @mothers_not_ruined_
• Andie @geordieslovegin
• Kerri-Anne @glassofgin_packetofseeds
• Carole @grandmasginparlour
• Netty @mothers_ruined_gin
• Bev @gin_meets_girl
• Mel @ginscousegirl
• Emma @an_elfs_ruin
• @ginmakers
• Hayley @gin_obsessed_hayley
• Rory @theginlord
• Holly @gin_obsessed_girl
• Alex @thecocktailvibe
• Natalie @ginderella2020
• Hannah @ahnahdrinks
• Gitte, Carina and Tina @girls_on_gin
• Cassia @ginqueen_kilpatrick
• Maxine @thetealbar
• Laura @mumma_loves_gin
• Carina @carina_wolff_dk

2021 Distillery Catchups

• Now there are some distilleries that I did not get a chance catch up with.
• Otterbeck distillery I would still love to talk to you.
• I would also love to talk to Sian and Andrew from The Gower Gin Company.
• I have reviewed some of their gins and they are amazing. They are botanical mix wizards and from an amazing part of the country.
• I would also love to talk to Macintosh gin and Martin Miller.
• I am hoping that those will come to fruition in 2021.

Thank you

• All that is left for me to say is thank you again for your time to listen to my guests. I look forward to doing it all again in 2021.

Instagram Community Shout Out

• Carina @carina_wolff_dk
• Carina is a gin blogger and a third of @girls_on_gin
• I wanted to highlight her account thought because she has been a massive supporter of mine but also she...

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

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

News

Welcome

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 29

Christmas

• Please support your local or favourite distilleries. Mine are growing by the day !!
• Stockport Gin - their lockdown boxes are amazing as well as their gin filled baubles. Lots of things selling out so be quick. They have loads of gifts from stocking fillers, secret Santa's gifts, to luxury gift boxes, glasses, mugs and much more!
• The Edge Gin - great offers for their gins as well as liqueurs, glasses and chocolates. Lockdown 2 offer and Free Shipping over £40
• Pitwheel Distillery - new Orange and Ginger gin as well as all their old favourites
• The Gower Gin Company - 6 of their gins all in one box, Sloe Gin and festive 3 (Sloe Gin, Bara Brith and Pinwydd)
• Massingberd-Mundy get a £10 voucher back

Review

• Reviews really help the podcast in a given podcast directory. So if you did have a chance to review the podcast I would be most grateful

Weekly Gin Recommendation

Weekly Gin Recommendation - The Only Way Is Gin

• I have been a fan of this brand before it even started to produce gin because Nikki Mendes starred on episode 7 of the show
• I was so excited despite the pandemic and the delays this caused that Nikki finally managed to release her gin.
• I wanted to show my support so I bought two miniatures.
• I really like this idea because it gives you a chance to properly review the gin.
• I was also interested to see if I could taste the elongation of flavour to the poppy seeds.
• The nose of the gin has very delicate aroma of the orange blossom
• The tasting profile starts dry followed by a sweet elongated taste with delicate citrus notes, culminating in heat from the alcohol before going dry at the back end of the profile.
• The taste neat is very delicate and surprisingly sweet. It is even more pleasant when an ice cube was added.
• As usual I tested with Mediterranean tonic and this is where this gin comes into it’s own.
• It is a really pleasant sweet, delicately citrus based G&T and one of those bottles that you can always count on to give to friends or family or have a cheeky G&T yourself.
• I would definitely serve with pink grapefruit and plenty of ice as I think this would take the flavour profile to a whole new level. It is a bit like adding blueberries to Brockmans
• This gin is smooth enough for a dry martini but would not work in my opinion
• I could however see this in an Expresso Martini or a Pornstar Martini and I really like the clover club or bramble serves on the website.
• If you are looking for a staple gin for G&T with potential for cocktails then this is the gin for you.
• It is definitely being added to my long list of gin wants.

Are you Up for a Christmas Day Challenge ?

• You also have two weeks to work out what your Christmas cocktail is going to be
• There have been some great ones on Instagram
• I have been looking round for inspiration to see what you could go for
• Why should I have a Christmas cocktail ?
• I had never thought of this until Tammy from @forcocktailsake mentioned this two weeks ago. Her and her Mum have always come up with a new cocktail for each dinner party
• That is amazing !!
• So I thought what a good idea for Christmas and what inspiration.
• The reason I like the idea of coming up with one yourself is because you can make it specific to represent you and your family.

The Scene On Christmas Day

• So picture it now
• It is Christmas day
• The air outside is cold and crisp and you go out to get ready for festivities
• You look into the freeze and see your box where you have your garnishes for your cocktails
• You open the fridge and look at that special mixture you are going to add to your cocktail or that fruit that you are going to muddle (mix into the shaker like a pestle and mortar).
• You get excited. No one in the family is going to expect a cocktail dedicated to them
• Then a few hours later everyone is dressed up in their Christmas finest and arriving at your door. Well the two families you are allowed to meet up with anyway.
• They come in and then you announce. Today we are going to have the cocktail name you have made up
• You feel so proud
• Everyone looks at you with amazement and slight apprehension
• You serve it to them. It is a triumph.
• And all because the lady loves milk tray
• Sorry showing my age
• And all because you got the idea from some bloke on The Gin Ignite podcast

So why am I leaving it two weeks before ?

• Because you have the fun part trying the cocktail out to perfect it !!!
• Not Adventurous ?
• So before I get all excited about what you can do what happens if you are not adventurous ?

Three options

1. Serve some bubbly ignore this episode !!
2. Lookup a cocktail you fancy and make that from the recipe
3. Follow my chosen Christmas recipe

My Christmas Cocktail

• So I have already chosen my cocktail. I have chosen it because it is easy to make and the ingredients are really accessible. It also is not alcohol heavy like I tend to enjoy my cocktails to make sure I account for other people in my family.
• To make it you need to add the following to a shaker:-
• Optional muddle a strawberry in the shaker
• Add ice
• 50ml pink gin (Gordons Pink is cheap and easy to get hold of if you need to buy one)
• 25ml Elderflower Liqueur (cheap in a lot of supermarkets. Mine came from Sainsbury’s)
• 15ml Sugar Syrup
• Shake up the contents
• Double filter into a glass
• Top up with Prosecco
• Add a garnish of sliced strawberries held together with a cocktail stick

So think of your cocktail. What will it be ?

• The first big decision is to think about what type of gin you are going to use
• Traditional London Dry, citrus based gin, fruit based gin, Coffee based gin. So many decisions
• Depending on what you have chosen is going to greatly influence what you want to do
• For example a lime base gin you could think of a Mojito or breakfast martini or Tom Collins
• Orange based gin you could do something like a ginger rogers, bronx, claridge or Negroni
• Raspberry based gin you could look at a daiquiri or Guiniveres Sorrow that I posted
• You have got some great gin classics you could try like fluffy duck, gimlet or Singapore sling
• There are the new classics like Pornstar Martini or Expresso martini.
• Go to the distiller who produce the gin you have chosen. Have they got any recommended serves

For those of you thinking but what if I wanted my own spin.

• My advice would be take an existing cocktail with gin or not and then think about what you could add to it.
• For example good editions are a good Vermouth like @thestarlino, a good Elderflower liqueur or Passoa a passionfruit liqueur
• Once you have established what you want your flavours to be and the drink you are basing it on then start exprimenting just like a lab !!
• I would start with roughly the amounts from the recipe you are basing things on
• Then change as you do your tests
• I would love to know what you have come up with whether it is a classic cocktail, the one I am having at Christmas or a brand new one you have created

More inspiration

• Vanessa @nessejay91
• Tammy @forcocktailsake
• Mark @the_wanderingbartender
• Harry @cheshiremobilebars

• Want advice ? I am more than happy to help if I can
• Good luck with your cocktail quests and let me know what you come up with.

Instagram Community Shout Out

• @mumma_loves_gin
• I like the fact that you are a Mumma, mermaid obsessed and enjoy gin. A great combination
• I really liked you recent gin cabinet post. The gin cabinet had everything, It had gin, mermaids and glasses. All things need to taste gin!!
• Love the post I am on the Gin & Tonic diet. I have already lost 3 days. I am definitely switching to the gin & tonic direct over the next few months so I can lose a few days. LOL
• Like the idea of ginfusions especially if you added them to cocktails !! That would make them really interesting
• I like the in dog gins I have only had one. I am definitely switching that to answer my wife when she asks me how many I have had !! LOL
• Very interested on the Hedgerow Elderflower gin post from Chase Distillery
• Finally I really enjoyed the post when you got to 1000 followers and introducing yourself.
• Keep it up.
• I will be adding you to my stories 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