Producing the Goods

Plymouth Gin

Plymouth's Black Friars distillery is England's oldest - gin has been produced here since 1793. As the name suggests, it began life as a Franciscan friary. It was the first gin to be produced in a clear glass bottle, to show off its purity and water quality.

Now Plymouth produce sloe gin as well as their original, and you can still find "Navy Strength" gin - at 57% it can be spilled on gunpowder and the wet powder will still explode! Plymouth Gin's fortunes foundered under the ownership of a corporate machine, but a buy-out in the mid-1990s has seen new life breathed into the company, which once again takes its place as a regional speciality for the town to be proud of.

More information:
<www.plymouthgin.com>