Hayman's - Sloe Gin, 70 cl

Haymans Gin

Is a UK family company dating back to 1863 when Christopher Hayman Great Grandfather, James Burrough purchased a Gin rectifying company in London. Christopher joined James Burrough Limited in 1969 and was responsible for the distillation and production of Beefeater until 1987. Although James Burrough Limited was sold to Whitbread in 1987, they retained part of the business and Hayman Distillers continues both the inherent passion and the tradition of distilling and producing fine spirits. Christopher Hayman have over 40 years experience in the trade and have held a number of key positions including Chairman of the Gin and Vodka Association and a Trustee of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. His children James and Miranda Hayman are the 5th generation to follow family tradition and both work at Hayman Distillers. Since James and Miranda Hayman joined their father Christopher Hayman in the family business at the start of the new millennium, our focus has been on using our knowledge and experience to make traditional gins that we knew could be loved as much today as they once were. From Hayman's Old Tom to our Family Reserve Gin, which took a year to get just right, we're proud to have been the first distillers to introduce a range of different gin styles. All made to original family recipes in our copper pot still, Marjorie. Even the distinctive bottle you might recognise today has a tale to tell. Its design was inspired by an original, old gin bottle that had been safely tucked away in Christopher's office for years, just waiting to be found.

It all began with Christopher's great-grandfather, James Burrough, who was a curious and charismatic pharmacist. In 1863 he bought a gin and liqueur rectifying business on Cale Street in London and started producing a range of cordials, medicinal ingredients and gin. His coveted gin recipes, which we still follow today, can be found scribbled in notebooks dating back to that time.Over subsequent years James Burrough's sons joined the family business, exporting our gins to the USA and Canada under the Burrough name. Neville Hayman, husband of Marjorie Burrough (James Burrough's granddaughter), was the first Hayman to join the family business in 1951 – which was now well known for producing, among others, Beefeater Gin. He helped shape the company to make sure we could survive the aftermath of WWII, which included rationalisation of the gin styles made. And just 18 years later, he was joined by his son, Christopher Hayman. Now, we mentioned twists and turns. Perhaps the most notable came in 1987, when the family business was sold to the then brewer, Whitbread. It could have been the end, but the Hayman side of our family were not ready to leave a life of gin making behind. So Christopher Hayman led the way in buying back James Burrough Fine Alcohols Division Limited, changed the company name to Hayman Distillers and worked tirelessly for a number of years get us to a position where we could begin to do just that again.

As you've already read, Christopher, James and Miranda still continue to run the business today, upholding family traditions with an inherent passion for distilling original gins. Which brings us back to today and the Hayman's Gin you can enjoy. Very much a product of our past.

Hayman's is a range of different styles from the Gin Family which follow the evolution and history of Gin over the last 150 years.

The range includes Hayman's Old Tom Gin , Hayman's 1850 Reserve Gin, Hayman's Sloe Gin, Hayman's London Dry Gin and Hayman's Gin Liqueur.

Hayman's Distillers portfolio also includes Royal Dock Navy Strength Gin, Smith & Cross Jamaica Rum and Sir Walter's Original London Liqueur.

The offices, production facilities and bonded warehouse are located about 40 miles from London in East Anglia.

Hayman's Sloe Gin

A traditional English Liqueur made by infusing Sloe berries, a type of wild plum from the Blackthorn Tree, with gin. Hayman's Sloe Gin is made from a long standing family recipe previously only available for private use.

Wild English Sloe Berries are gently steeped for several months with Hayman's Gin before blended with natural sugars to create this rich English Liqueur.

Sloe Gin has been a popular drink from the 19th Century onwards as a digestive and winter warmer and was a required bar item during the first cocktail era in the 1880s.

Tasting Note:

A rich red ruby liqueur with smooth and intense bitter sweet fruit flavours.