Episode 07 - Nikki Mendes from The Only Way Is Gin

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 7
• Pubs and restaurants opened up in the UK
• Support them or stay in and drink gin and support distilleries instead.
• Either way by drinking gin you are helping.
• Please drink responsibly

Gin Recommendation

• My weekly gin recommendation this week is Aber Falls.
• Nestled in the village of Abergwyngregyn near to Aber Falls waterfall, where it takes it's name.
• The nose of this gin is like any other London Dry Gin.
• It is smoother than Gordons but not as smooth as Martin Miller or Pitwheel Classic Dry.
• This is a really lovely London based gin but with a little of spice which almost gives a hint of the botanicals.
• Great with most tonics including Elderflower.
• I would server with Fever Tree Mediterranean !!

The Only Way Is Gin

How did you get into gin ?

• Nikki worked for 20 years for Tesco as a HR Business Partner and Programme Manager
• She started her gin journey working with an acquaintance to help her setup her brand and get her gin to market.
• After making a few contacts she really got engrossed in the spirit business and she thought "I am going to do this then !!"
• She booked on to a course with Jamie Baxter who is the leading master distiller in the country
• Did a five day course. By day 3 she had registered her business and all social media accounts and domain names

Signature Gin

• London Dry Gin
• Citrusy gin
• Non-complex gin ideal with G&T !!!
• Botanical in there related to Essex. Nikki won't reveal what this is !!
• Hope for production in 2 months time

Brand

• Bold and vibrant and bottle will "pop off the back bar or shelf"
• Far more depth to the brand than you would expect
• Classy and quality
• Friendly and approachable
• Sassy
• Hidden depths

Bar

• First thing you will see is the copper still
• All gin produced on the premises
• Local competition in Chelmsford to name the still
• Based on Austrailian bar called Donny's bar in Sydney
• Modern industrial look with wood and scaffold poles
• High benches made out of wood
• Full stocked bar with locally produced items
• Lots of different ways to experience the Only Way Is Gin Signature gin

Gin School

• On the second floor of the building
• Self contained ideal for a corporate hire, birthday party or book on individually via an on line booking process
• 10 mini stills set up round the room on high wooden benches
• The mini stills are 2.5 litres and will produce a 70cl bottle of gin within 20 minutes once they reach temperature !!!
• Offer between 80 - 100 botanicals to add to your gin
• Shown around facility including bottling etc
• The experience lasts for three hours
• At the end chance to shake up a cocktail
• Hoping to open in November...