But often disappointed, I class myself as someone rather fussy when it comes to a really good gin and the Brentingby bottles have taken pride of place in my bureau bar (designed by Florrie at Curious Designs) and has been my gin of choice since I got my hands on them. There's no denying the popularity of gin, and we're lucky enough to have some brilliant gin distilleries right here in Leicestershire. Based in the northernmost tip of mainland Scotland, the brand takes its name from the Rhodiola rosea (a rose in the rocks), one of its 18 botanicals. Hand-wrapped in paper, sealed with twine and wax, Ableforth’s Bathtub Gin is one of the more unique bottles on the market. We're youthful businesses who do our own thing, but are coming together to bring added value and an upbeat tempo to Melton Mowbray.

The distillery has been operational for three months, and having completed connection to a wind turbine in the neighbouring farm just yesterday, is now 100 per cent powered by wind.

It’s no surprise that the bottle has received such high praise given founder and distiller, James Porteous’s, background (he has a degree from the prestigious Glasgow School of Art). The Botanist Gin is distilled at Bruichladdich Distillery in Isle of Islay, which is arguably more famous for its fine whiskies. Working with Nude Brand Creation in London, Surrey Copperfield Distillery created a bottle inspired by their love of old books – of which they have a sizeable collection. I’ve long been a gin drinker and wanted to start a brand up here in the home of pork pies and stilton cheese.

It celebrates a “Golden age of exploration” when European ships journeyed the ocean on voyages of discovery (think Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake). The 10 botanicals in this expression include lime, hibiscus, ginger and meadowsweet, for a sweet and balanced gin, in a somewhat dramatic bottle. It's not just the awards but the gin enthusiasts worldwide that sing praises of Brentingby's balanced taste profile and its ability to elevate any cocktail.Ultimately I settled on Isle of Harris Gin to retain its top spot, not because it’s any more beautiful than the others in the top five, but because of its originality and how it captures the brand story so perfectly.

The logo etched on the centre is the hibiscus flower which is prominent in Bruce’s childhood home of Durban, South Africa. There are fingerprint-liked indents on the bottle too as if it had been washed up on the golden sands of the island. Bruce really has created something unique with his gin, produced right here in Brentingby just a stone's throw from Melton Mowbray, which Bruce tells me is down to his totally unique still, Ayanda a 10 plate copper column still, designed by Bruce himself. Round Corner Brewing, Brentingby Gin, The Feast and The Furious, and Melton Charcuterie are each committed to using their expertise to create world class produce. A relative newcomer to the gin scene, Brentingby Gin has quickly made its mark, combining the time-honoured traditions of gin-making with a fresh, contemporary flair, all against the backdrop of the picturesque British countryside.Bruce, you have so many plans for the future of the business and we know some are top secret… But are there any fun future plans you can share with our readers? KURO Gin is a Japanese-influenced gin, created by Manchester friends and distilled in the West Midlands.

We started the initial concept with the bottle design - Mirroring the 10-plate copper still in the design of the Brentingby flag ship London Dry gin bottle. We were approached by Brentingby Distillery with a concept to bring a new premium craft gin to the market and were in need of a logo design and a unique branding identity that could stand out in a competitive industry. Beautiful vintage gins also come in small packages and can fetch some surprising amounts at auction.

We can offer tours and tastings, though the group size is limited to around 4-6 due to space constraints. Please tell our readers more about the gin, the story of and how the idea for Brentingby Gin came about? From Jon’s smoking to Bruce’s botanicals; from Paul’s rearing of and dry aging of his pigs to Colin’s use of hops, we're not just creating great products, we’re giving food lovers a chance to experience them where they’re made, get to know us and feel powerfully connected to something authentic that belongs to them. Famous for its fly fishing and clear waters, these two facets are incorporated into the design of their bespoke bottle.