The term Dutch gin refers to a traditional liquor called Jenever, which technically isn’t actually gin and instead is a malted grain-based spirit that is flavoured with juniper. The Blowing Stone Distillery in West Berkshire finds its identity deeply rooted in England's historical tapestry. Named after the legendary "Blowing Stone," the distillery embodies a sense of heritage that is unparalleled. The Blowing Stone itself, a significant piece of England's history, is said to have been used by Alfred the Great to summon troops to the pivotal Battle of Ashdown in the 9th century. In essence, the Blowing Stone Distillery is more than just a place where spirits are made; it's where history is bottled. Through its offerings, one gets to taste not just the flavours of West Berkshire, but also the legacy of a time when kings blew through stones, and battles changed the course of history.

The Blowing Stone Gin - Blowing Stone Gin

The West Berkshire village of Compton is now officially home to the best London Dry gin in the country. At the end of last month, following the tasting of 800 entries, the prestigious World Gin Awards announced “The Blowing Stone” London Dry gin by Hawkridge Distillers as the best in its category in England. I’m looking for an unusual gin flavour box, are the different flavours of gin in the Blowing Stone Miniature Collection unusual? The Blowing Stone was awarded the ‘Best English London Dry Gin 2021′ at the World Gin Awards, so we would like to think that makes us the no 1 London dry gin brand in the UK in 2021. Thanks for all the support we have received to date from our local village clients. We have been really encouraged by the amount of interest and happy clients enjoying our gins.To summon his troops into battle that morning, Alfred blew into an ancient perforated sarsen stone which delivered a loud booming sound across the downs. Known as ‘The Blowing Stone’ this marked the beginning of the Battle of Ashdown from which Alfred emerged victorious. The LIVE virtual tastings are carried out in the last week of the month. Please keep an eye on our socials for confirmed dates! Our artisan London Dry Gin is a tribute to Alfred’s first victory over the Danish Vikings. The Blowing Stone London Dry Gin is the first in our Ashdown Series of craft gins, which has been inspired by the rich local heritage surrounding our distillery in the village of Compton, West Berkshire. The bottle is designed to be reminiscent of a typical middle-ages drinking vessel, embellished with an intricate hand-drawn Anglo Saxon inspired artwork which subtly conveys the date of the Battle of Ashdown. Yes! If you are looking for a flavoured gin selection gift set that’s a bit different, then this is the flavoured gin set for you. The set include the following infused gin flavours: Being located in West Berkshire, the distillery is uniquely positioned to draw inspiration from both its immediate surroundings and the legends of old. This rich confluence of history and place imbues the distillery's spirits with a narrative that’s as captivating as the flavours themselves.

Award Winning London Dry Gin | The Blowing Stone Gin

We designed the gin in a way that would reflect the era in look, feel and taste. The shape of the bottle resembles that of a 9 th century drinking vessel. Hand-drawn Saxon style art with the battle’s date subtlety hidden on the bottle and a hand drawn label decorate the gin. Inside the bottle, the gin’s flavour profile has been carefully developed over scores of test distillations using botanicals that were available in the 9 th century (including meadowsweet, gorse and honey). If you are looking for a gin birthday gift, Mother’s Day gin gift or gin Christmas gifts, this flavoured gin miniature gift set is the perfect gin present to put a smile on any gin lover’s face.

The battle was an important one in the history of the whole country as it represented Alfred’s first victory against the Vikings and a first step towards the eventual unification of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Known as ‘The Great Heathen Army,’ the Vikings had been camped at Reading. Marching west into the North Wessex Downs, they were to meet the Wessex Army close to the prehistoric Ridgeway path just outside the village of Compton. The Blowing Stone gins have been lovingly crafted using carefully selected botanicals. Following extensive research of the period, we have selected fruits, herbs and some more unusual ingredients which would have been growing wild or readily available at the time of King Alfred the Great’s reign. The judges at the World Gin Awards described our Blowing Stone Gin as “A great traditional-style gin with a zing of juniper alongside meadow flowers, herbs, citrus peel, cumin and gingery spices. Good and complex. Some woody notes and some warmth, before a complex, rounded finish.” On the 8th January 871, an Anglo-Saxon army, led by King Ethelred and his younger brother, the future King Alfred the Great was about to face the Viking army…a formidable enemy, intent on establishing Danish rule over the whole of England. Having conquered every other kingdom in England, just one more separated the Vikings from total domination – The Kingdom of Wessex.