A HERITAGE drink, the forefather of quality English gin, has joined the elite top shelf at a Delph country inn.
Thomas Dakin, a small batch gin, has become the 600th gin to join one of the world’s most impressive collections at the Old Bell Inn and Restaurant on Huddersfield Road.
The eighteenth-century inn was awarded a Guinness World Record accolade for the most amount of gins commercially available when it topped 430 last September.
Since then it has kept growing and the latest addition is Thomas Dakin, a handcrafted gin from Warrington, was introduced to the world earlier this year and proved to be a big hit in local pubs and bars.
Distilled by G&J Distillers, the juniper-rich gin takes the name of the man who created the world’s first quality English gin and founded the world’s oldest gin distillers in 1761.
Alix Walker, curator for Thomas Dakin gin, said: “It’s fitting this is the gin chosen as the Old Bell’s 600th as it connects the old with the new, completing this already wonderful collection.”
A special gin has been created for the inn by master distiller, Joanne Moore, using a secret recipe of eleven botanicals including juniper, orange peel and English coriander.
And there is an unique addition – red cole – a root botanical used in the 18th century and known today as horseradish.
David Hume, creator of the gin and brand consultant, said proudly: “It tastes wonderful and 5,000 drinkers at the BBC Good Food Show voted it the best tasting gin at the show.”
Phil Whiteman, owner of The Old Bell Inn, and founder of the gin emporium, said. “We are really excited to have Thomas Dakin join our gin family.
“It has such an inspiring story and captures the history and roots of gin perfectly in its exquisite taste.”
Visit The Old Bell Inn on Huddersfield Road, Delph, or call them on 01457 870130. Also visit their website: www.theoldbellinn.co.uk
