Raise a Glass to Ginuary: Celebrating Kent’s Finest Gin Distillers As the festive glow of December fades, January brings with it the promise of fresh starts and new adventures. For gin lovers, it also marks the arrival of Ginuary — a month dedicated to celebrating all things gin. If you’re looking to embrace this spirited tradition, there’s no better place to start than in Kent, the “Garden of England,” home to some of the UK’s most innovative gin distillers. Among these are two standout producers: Greensand Ridge and Anno Distillers. Greensand Ridge Distillery: Sustainability in Every Sip Nestled in the heart of Kent, Greensand Ridge Distillery is a pioneer of sustainable distilling. Their ethos is simple: minimise environmental impact while crafting exceptional spirits. By using surplus produce from local farms, such as apples that would otherwise go to waste, Greensand Ridge creates gins that are as eco-friendly as they are delicious. Their signature London Dry Gin is a testament to the region’s natural bounty, infused with botanicals like cobnuts, gorse flowers, and hawthorn berries. Each sip offers a vibrant taste of Kent’s countryside, with a smooth finish that’s perfect for both classic gin and tonics or more adventurous cocktails. If you’re keen to learn more about their sustainable practices, Greensand Ridge also offers distillery tours and gin-making experiences, where you can craft your own bespoke gin under the guidance of their expert team. Anno Distillers: Science Meets Spirit Founded by two scientists with a shared passion for innovation, Anno Distillers brings a unique perspective to gin production. Based in Marden, this award-winning distillery combines traditional techniques with cutting-edge science to create gins that stand out from the crowd. Anno’s flagship 60% ABV gin, “Anno Extreme 60,” packs a punch while maintaining a delicate balance of botanicals, including samphire, hops, and elderflower. For those seeking something lighter, their Kent Dry Gin offers a crisp, citrus-forward profile that’s ideal for any occasion. One of Anno’s most remarkable achievements is their bespoke vacuum distillation process, which allows them to extract flavours at lower temperatures, preserving the delicate nuances of their carefully selected botanicals. Visitors to the distillery can enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at this innovative process during one of their interactive tours. Where to Find These Kentish Gems Both Greensand Ridge and Anno Distillers are committed to making their gins accessible to enthusiasts near and far. Their products are available online, in local shops, and at select bars and restaurants across Kent and beyond. For those eager to sample their offerings, keep an eye out for gin tastings and events hosted throughout the region during Ginuary. A Toast to Kent’s Gin Heritage Ginuary is the perfect excuse to explore the incredible craftsmanship of Kent’s gin distillers. Whether you’re drawn to Greensand Ridge’s eco-conscious creations or Anno’s scientific flair, there’s no shortage of inspiration to fill your glass. So, why not raise a toast to Kent this January and discover the distinctive flavours that make its gins truly unforgettable? Cheers to Ginuary!
Tag: TUNBRIDGE WELLS
The woman who ate nothing
I was so excited to take over EAT. I was brimming full of ideas, had invites to visit various places and then the unthinkable happened. I lost my appetite. It completely disappeared overnight. Those that know me know that I have never been a massive eater. I am certainly no Tarrare (aka – The Man Who Ate Everything). I prefer to try a bit of everything and savour the flavour, probably having leftovers over the next few days. That said, there are probably a few exceptions, especially in the case of BBQs where I could happily graze all day. But eating 3 regular courses in one sitting has always been hard for me. Please note, I do not have any kind of eating disorder. I know a number of people that have experienced these conditions and they have had to deal with them in a variety of ways. What I figured out in this time is that I had been experiencing a great deal of stress. I took on too much work, took on a lot of other people’s problems and left no time for myself. Rather than being a stress eater, I go completely the other way and cannot eat anything at all. It is as though my throat is completely blocked. What great timing for this to happen! As a result, I’ve spent the past few months dealing with/removing the various things that have been stressing me out. Thankfully, with the support of family and friends, things have become a lot easier and I am finally hungry again! In the past few weeks, I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a cheese and wine night at The Beer Seller, try a few new seasonal dishes at Verdigris and even a trip out to The Old Auction House for some Raclette. As my stress subsides there is a lot more foodie fun to come, so please watch this space.
Kent Wine School, Tunbridge Wells, 12 March 2020
The evening before I visited Ferah for my Turkish lunch, I took a trip to Tunbridge Wells for some wine tasting. The lovely folks at Kent Wine School had invited me to a tasting and, as you might expect, I had jumped at the chance. As someone who’s partial to a glass or few of wine, I like to try to sound knowledgeable and so, pre-lockdown when the evenings were still dark, my trusty tasting companion, Cathy and I strayed from Tonbridge and popped along to the Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells to learn more.
thetncard – Interview with founder, Jess Gibson
One silver living of this awful situation is that I have been able to work alongside the lovely Jess Gibson, founder of the tn card. I interviewed Jess (over the phone of course!) about what motivated her to set up the tn card and learnt that she’s as passionate about Tonbridge flourishing as I am!
We might have left Europe but … Coco Retro, Tunbridge Wells, 29 February 2020
We really are spoilt around here – there are so many places to eat out and so many that I haven’t tried yet! Anyway, I knocked one off the list last Saturday when I went to Coco Retro in Tunbridge Wells for a friend’s birthday. Would I go here again?
Foodie gift inspiration from Tonbridge and around
This might be the quickest blog I’ve ever written as I’ve just realised it’s Small Business Saturday! Typical me, I’ve been thinking about this blog for weeks and left it to the last minute – that’s what December is all about really though isn’t it?! Well don’t leave your foodie gift shopping to the last minute – here’s my Eat Around Tonbridge foodie gift guide (and unlike the mags, no one has paid to be in this list!).