A Step Inside Big Hill Distillery… #Blog

Briony Wilson
26th July 2019

Over the past few years the gin trend has truly been on the rise and there are so many options out there now it has become somewhat of a mine field. As a Gin lover myself I have always been proud to say, I joined the party before it was the trendy thing to drink, but the true highlight of mass popularity of this spirit has meant that there is now just so much choice on the market and really with so many options anyone can be converted into a gin lover. That being said, with so many gins and spirits, you really need to have something that makes you stand out, and with the story and taste behind this gin, it definitely stands out.

I must admit Big Hill Distillery was not a brand I had heard of but when a friend told me that ‘Spirit of George’ was something I had to try and we were going on a gin distillery tour, I was there with bells on. Big Hill distillery based in Mobberley is run by two guys with a real passion for gin, starting just under 2 years ago in what other place than a pub? So, the story goes after a few beers in the Bulls Head, just up the road whilst the kids played outside, it was time to sample a few of the pub’s gins, this became a regular habit and after a couple of visits the boys noticed the ever-growing selection of Gins. So, in true male fashion, decided to try their hand at their own version. Starting with just a smaller 1 litre still, which is used from time to time, the boys decided that their gin needed to represent them and where they came from.

Were you aware that George Mallory, the famous mountaineer who took part in the first 3 British expedition to Mount Everest was in fact a Cheshire boy – born and brought up in Mobberley, actually just round the corner from the Church Inn (home to the distillery) as his family were part of the clergy looking after the local parish? Well to the boys, and many local people, he is seen as a bit of a local hero and his story is part of the heritage of Mobberley. So, with George as their inspiration, the guys started working on the wonderful English Dry Gin creation… because they could.

The hand crafted gin has a mixture of over 12 botanicals, including your usual Juniper, Angelica, Oris Root and Liquorice adding that lovely sweetness. But what makes this gin stand out – is the flavours from the Nepalese Chia Black Masala tea, including cloves, cinnamon and ginger. The flavours Nepal. This gin falls into the classification of a London Dry 40 % ABV, but London doesn’t deserve all the credit, so the boys call it an English Dry. With all these powerful flavours it stands out from most classical gins and has in fact won SIP Gold awards for the past two years over in San Francisco. These particular awards are judged as a blind tasting and so even without the wonderful story behind this Gin, it still stands up against some of the best in the world.

Spirit of George is a small batch Gin made in a small distillery originally starting in a kitchen, but they have found their home now at the Church Inn, a place which really celebrates the local heritage and the George Malory story. So, unlike many distillery tours because they can only create 148 bottle per run, this is a lovely experience because it is much more about the story than the technical element, they are trade secrets after all.

The love the guys put into this Gin really comes out in the flavour and after seeing a bit of the distilling process and meeting Ruth (the still) named after George’s wife, I would certainly recommend a glass of Spirit of George, with a wedge of Orange and Neutral tonic to really bring out the flavour. But in the age of pink gin, if Spirit of George, does not tickle your fancy, then give Rose a try, this is a 40% pink gin with flavours of Raspberry, Mint, Vanilla and Rose.

Spirit of George is behind many local bars if you are now craving a glass and available to buy online or in Dexter and Jones, Knutsford, as well as other local retailers.