The Henley Distillery is celebrating award success again. This month sees them collect the Country Winner award for Best London Dry Gin in England for their Henley Gin – Classic Dry in Round One of The World Gin Awards 2022. Next month they will be pitted against other country winners for the World’s Best award. 

THE BEST LONDON DRY GIN IN ENGLAND

The award-winning Henley Gin, Classic Dry is a contemporary twist on a London Dry. This signature sipping gin elegantly builds on the familiar juniper foundation as citrusy flavours blossom from orange peel, lime leaves and lemongrass. Warmth flickers from the bold Szechuan peppercorns before mellowing with the deep, rich notes of cardamom and vanilla-like tonka beans to create a smooth, refined balance. RRP £40 (70 cl, 42% ABV). 

YOUNGEST MASTER DISTILLER IN THE UK

The Henley Distillery is one of the newest and most exciting distilleries in the UK. Based from a restored threshing barn just outside Henley-on-Thames, the Distillery was established by Jacob Wilson, who is one of the youngest Master Distillers in the country. Despite his young age, 27, Wilson’s CV is impressive, with experience at Masons Yorkshire Gin and Spirit of Masham as Head Distiller, and as Master Distiller at Hensol Castle Distillery. Now as one of only a handful of distilleries in the UK owned and run by a Master Distiller, Wilson is showcasing leading edge, contemporary spirit innovation rooted firmly in traditional, artisan method. 

HENLEY GINS & CONTRACT DISTILLING

The Henley Distillery produces small batch, hand-crafted gins in three flavours under the Henley Gin brand as well as offering contract distilling services, among them: recipe development, white label spirit distillation and hand-bottled production of bespoke, small-batch premium spirits.  Wilson’s skills have already attracted own-label contract business from established brands, new start-ups and also Virgin Wines.

Wilson uses two handmade 300 litre copper alembic stills which are heated over open flames and finely controlled to produce a smoother and cleaner spirit that the more modern column stills. Furthermore, the gins are not chill-filtered, allowing the delicate aromas and oils from the botanicals to be retained. The Distillery is a family affair, with Wilson partnering with his father Alan who assists with design and sales, while his mother, Terry, helps with distilling and production.

Having only launched last Summer, this is the second award win in as many months for The Henley Distillery. It follows hot on the heels of their triumph at The Spirits Business Gin Masters* where they celebrated two medal wins. Wilson, proprietor and Master Distiller at The Henley Distillery commented on the success: “We’ve always believed in the quality of the gins we produce but to have independent judges rate us the best in the country is the biggest confidence booster! New product development is always the best part of being a Master Distiller and now I run my own distillery it’s great to have the creative freedom to push boundaries whilst sticking to my belief in the quality of small batch production.”

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