Irish & English distillers

[mbrowley]

Hey all ~

I'm looking for some help.

From the beginning of February 2006, I’m splitting nearly two weeks between Ireland and England. It’s a working holiday, of sorts, to celebrate the completion of a book (the writing thereof, not the reading) on the resurgence of artisan home distilling in the US.

I’ve spent the last two years canvassing the United States to research American moonshine and folk distilling traditions, interviewing clandestine distillers, alcohol tax enforcers and interested third parties. In a nutshell: there’s a moonshine renaissance informed by the same sensibilities that led Americans to rediscover artisan breads and cheeses, to turn to heirloom and organic produce, to resurrect obscure livestock breeds and, in particular, to cherish hand-crafted beers. Rotgut is out; artisanal is in. Well, mostly.

Given this unexpected opportunity, I’d like to get a taste of the current status of illicit distilling arts and crafts art in Ireland and the UK. I know it’s all very last minute, but I’m hoping to talk to local distillers in or around London, Dublin and Belfast (and respective environs) about their craft/hobby/small business/pastime/obsession.

In general, I’m interested in local illicit distilling traditions whether from the views of practitioners, law-enforcement officers or historians and enthusiasts. Pointers to historical collections, libraries, archives, photo collections, etc. are most welcome.

Obviously, Americans have no liquor law-enforcement jurisdiction in Europe, so don’t be shy; Even if I were police (I’m not), I couldn’t do anything about any illicit distilling discussed.

Oh, yes ~ casual drinkers feel compelled to tell me that moonshine has died out and that there are no distillers in [Manhattan, San Diego, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Kansas City, London, etc]. If you don’t know what to look and listen for, I’m sure that must seem the case. It’s there. And it’s probably a lot better than it used to be.

Matthew

[camp_dick]

Oh, yes ~ casual drinkers feel compelled to tell me that moonshine has died out and that there are no distillers

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I'll resist the urge, but I thought moonshine was basically a prison thing!

If you're interested in legitimate distilleries, I'd recommend a visit to the Beefeater, in Kennington, which is the last London dry gin to actually be made in London. Alternatively, Plymouth Gin is well set up to receive tourists.

A good place to hunt for crafty independent distillers, I reckon, would be in the West Country, where The Somerset Distillery has led the way in making British calvados. I bet there's a few locals who've followed suit on the sly, but can't see how you'd ferret them out online... Good luck

[mbrowley]

A good place to hunt for crafty independent distillers, I reckon, would be in the West Country, where The Somerset Distillery has led the way in making British calvados. I bet there's a few locals who've followed suit on the sly, but can't see how you'd ferret them out online... Good luck 

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Ahhh -- Gin's lovely and I'm never without a bottle or three, but THAT's closer to what I had in mind. Love the little independant distilleries. A few have been popping up in the US and I can't give them enough praise. Afraid London is the only place I'll be while in England (Ireland's another story), so a visit to Somerset will have to wait for another day. Do you know of any London outlets for their cider brandy?

[mbrowley]

Right. Never mind - Harvey Nichols, F&M et all seem to carry it. I'll try tracking down a drop or two.

[Corinna Dunne]

I don't have any first hand information, but it may be worth contacting the Dublin Institute of Technology which runs management courses for the licensed trade in Ireland. http://romulus.dit.ie/DIT/study/parttime/c.../dt488_prn.html. They should be able to direct you.

Best of luck, it sounds like a very interesting study.

[gethin]

A good place to hunt for crafty independent distillers, I reckon, would be in the West Country, where The Somerset Distillery has led the way in making British calvados. I bet there's a few locals who've followed suit on the sly, but can't see how you'd ferret them out online... Good luck 

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Ahhh -- Gin's lovely and I'm never without a bottle or three, but THAT's closer to what I had in mind. Love the little independant distilleries.

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You might find this book of interest:

James Crowden: Cider – The Forgotten Miracle: Cyder Press 2, Somerton, Somerset, 1999: ISBN 0-9537103-0-0: 120 pp., b/w illus., notes, bibliog., p/b. £12.95.

Reviewed in PPC 64 -

" James Crowden is the laureate of cider, and of Common Ground, the charity concerned with orchards and locality. Before that, he was a shepherd. This is a wonderful book. It has several lodes of hard information. There is something about the art of home-distilling; there is an account of the early days of the Somerset Cider Brandy Company; ...... "

As far as gin goes, I don't know if you would have been able to get it in the US , but if not you really should try Blackwoods 60 while you're in London. Its produced in the Shetland Isles in pretty small quantities (22,000 bottles per year, each individually numbered) and is extremely good. Their standard 40 % alcohol product is pretty good too.

Gethin