Interview: Poetic License Distillery
For August, the Nautilus Smugglers’ Club is proud to feature Poetic License, the Sunderland based distillery. Ocean Dry shipmates received Poetic’s Northern Dry, while the Colourful Cargo customers were lucky enough to get the 10th in their limited batch ‘Rarities’ series - Raspberry and Buddha’s Hand. We had the chance to speak to Lewis Hendry, their senior distiller or ‘botanicals whisperer’ and ask him a few questions about the distillery and their plans for the future.
Picture taken by the technicolor haired gin pixie, Kat Rose
Who are you guys and how did you get into making gin?
We are Poetic License Distillery - An independent small batch distillery making big, bold gin in the North East of England. We have a small but passionate team who work hard to create unforgettable flavours, so you can enjoy our spirits with difference in mind.
Our founder, Mark, was bought a gin-making class by his wife. He fell in love with the process and began playing around with a few recipes. The distillery has grown since then!
How important is your location to the identity of your gins?
Despite being based 50 metres from the wonderful Roker beach, overlooking the lighthouse, historically, Sunderland is not something we have lent too heavily on. However, we are keen to use our location to our advantage more, and it may yet inspire a rarity.
With so many great craft gins out there, how do you feel your Northern Dry Gin stands up. What do you feel sets it apart?
The botanical bill for Northern Dry Gin is heavy – using cardamom and five peppercorns it really gets the senses tingling from sniff to sip. We use crushed Persian limes as the key citrus component, which pairs well with the perfumed cardamom. For us, it is a gin that is upfront with the flavour without leaving juniper behind.
In addition to the Northern Dry, Nautilus Smugglers’ Club subscribers will this month be enjoying your Raspberry & Buddha’s Hand Gin, one of your limited ‘rarities’ series. What made you choose the fascinating Buddha’s Hand fruit?
Mark was a chef, and had the idea of a dessert-inspired gin. We were originally working towards a raspberry & lemon gin, when we came across Buddha’s Hand at a trade event. Immediately we knew that it had to be included in the gin, it had the perfect summer aroma, and was a refreshing pairing with the raspberry.
What else have you got planned for the rarities series?
It is our 5th anniversary in September, so we currently have some of our Old Tom gin aging in muscatel and port casks for this special release. We aim to release 3-4 rarities a year, so always have a new trial distillation on the go.
Which gin are you most proud of and why?
As a distiller, any recipe you develop is always a bit special. Our Honey Bee Blossom gin is special, and was a great collaboration between myself and Ben, our head distiller. We distilled botanicals individually before blending them back together, and went through about 10 trials before landing on the final gin. It is delicate and airy - perfect for the spring-time.
Has lockdown affected the choices over which gins to make?
We have been continuing development of new products in lockdown, and our online demand has been particularly strong throughout. One or two projects have been delayed slightly, but this will allow for great launches in the coming months.
What do you think the next phase will be for the UK’s gin lovers?
The gin market is still growing, and it shows no sign of stopping soon. We are seeing a shift back to more traditional gins, and the consumer is becoming far more aware of the provenance of their gins. We can also see ready-to-drink gin cocktails becoming more popular, and that could be an interesting avenue for the future.