When the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire enquired as to if anyone on their estate was producing gin, an opportunity arose for us to look into producing Chatsworth gin in our barn at the Peak Ales Visitor Centre. Already brewing in our renovated 19th-century barn and supplying craft ale to Chatsworth and local pubs within the area, it was an opportunity we couldn’t miss.
First, we had the room but we needed the equipment and so it was then that we set off in search of a gin still. We searched and found a beautiful, yes and it is a beautiful gin still that the team named 'Isobel'. Isobel converts raw grain spirit, ethanol, into gin, via a re-distillation process with beautiful botanicals which characterise and distinguish the gin. On the outside, it reflects light with shiny bright and gleaming copper surfaces, a truly beautiful piece of German engineering.
Each of the botanicals used in Chatsworth Gin are sourced from the grounds and greenhouses of the Chatsworth Estate, as well as those traditionally used. Chatsworth Gin is a classic London dry gin whose botanic ingredients include Chatsworth Estate lemon verbena, lemongrass and lemons with the addition of the leaf from the Cavendish banana which makes Chatsworth Gin unique.
In the 1830's, Joseph Paxton, Head Gardener to the 6th Duke of Devonshire, introduced bananas to Chatsworth when he received a specimen plant from Mauritius. In November 1835 the banana plant flowered, producing more than 100 fruits and Paxton was able to offer plants to enthusiasts around the country. The importance of the Cavendish banana came to the fore when Panama Disease virtually wiped out the established Gro Michel variety and over the next ten years the more resistant Cavendish banana became the more commercial crop around the World.
After two years developing Chatsworth Gin, we launched at The Chatsworth Country Fair in 2019. In the near future we will look at producing a wider portfolio of gin and we are very excited about that.
Visit our dedicated Chatsworth Gin website to find out more.
Chatsworth Gin Is - Vegan Friendly.
Alc 40% Vol. 70CL. 28 UK UNITS.
Store away from light.
Peak Ales Supports Responsible Drinking www.drinkaware.co.uk
Selected botanicals from the Chatsworth garden & greenhouse have been used in the creation of this classic London Dry Gin. The infusion of Chatsworth lemons, lemongrass and lemon verbena produce a crisp citrus character which is complemented by the herbal notes of the banana leaf.
