DISCERNING DRINKERS at an ancient inn in Delph are celebrating a gin-tastic achievement…
Because Phil Whiteman’s Old Bell has claimed a remarkable international honour by achieving a new Guinness World Record title.
In less than two years, Phil and his team have collected a staggering 404 different gins – rocketing them into the record books for having ‘the most varieties of gin commercially available.’
The prestigious Guinness World Records is the universally recognised authority on record-breaking achievement and has been inspiring, engaging and entertaining since 1955.
Delighted Phil, who has created a ‘Gin Emporium’ to display the vast selection, said: “It’s incredible to think I have produced something so unique in the world.
“My team and I are so proud of this achievement and feel privileged to be part of an elite group of Guinness World Record holders.
“We have accomplished something great that our customers can enjoy.”
And Phil admitted since entering the award, they have added another ten gins to their showcase to give an amazing total of 418.
“I’m a teetotaller,” he added, “but I get the distinct flavour of each gin by simply letting it touch my lips.
“There are an incredible number of places across the UK distilling gin and I reckon we must have a bottle from nearly everyone.
“They also come from every corner of the world – from Peru to the Far East. They all have their own identity and customers love them.
“In fact, they’ve contributed some bottles themselves that they’ve brought back from holidays and business trips so they can take their place in my emporium.”
The Old Bell boasts a choice of ten different tonics to compliment the gins, along with herbs which have been specially grown at the inn to add to the flavour.
A spokesperson for Guinness Wold Records said: “We welcome The Old Bell Inn into our record breaking family.
“We would not be here if it was not for the Officially Amazing people that continue to break records.”