White Cliffs Gin

For White Cliffs Gin, fresh botanicals go into a vapour basketVapour infusionBotanicals sit in a basket above the liquid, so only the alcohol vapour passes through them, for a lighter, fresher extraction.Glossary just before a single-shot distillation in a vintage pot stillPot stillA traditional still, often copper, that distils in batches. It keeps more texture and character than a column.Glossary. At Pleasant Land Distillery in Aldington, Kent, the process begins earlier, with the dry botanicals macerating for 12 hours in a neutral grain spiritNeutral spiritAgricultural spirit rectified to at least 96% ABV, almost tasteless. It is the base later flavoured with botanicals.Glossary. Dried and fresh ingredients are therefore handled separately until they meet in the same run. It is bottled at 43%.

Citrus · Floral · Herbal

Wild-foragedForagingPlants gathered by hand in the wild (woods, heath, coastline) rather than grown or bought in.Glossary juniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary and local samphireMarsh samphireA small, crunchy salt-marsh plant that brings a salty, sea-side note.Glossary sit alongside orange blossom and elderflower in a recipe shaped by the coast. Cherry bark, seaweed, sea buckthorn, fresh orange and a pinch of sea salt also feature. Sea buckthorn brings a tart edge and cherry bark a soft, woody depth beneath the brighter citrus. On the nose, juniper meets orange blossom and orange zest.

The palate returns to juniper, with maritime salinity, delicate floral notes and a light peppery spice; the finish carries that saltiness with a gentle trace of orange and flowers.

White Cliffs Gin won an IWSC silver medal in 2024. Its 70 cl bottle is made from recycled glass and packaged without plastic. At the distillery, renewable power and a circular system are used to reduce water consumption and waste.

For a White Cliffs & elderflower, fill a balloon glassCopa glassA large stemmed balloon glass, popularised by the Spanish gin and tonic: it stays cold for longer and gathers the aromas above the drink.Glossary with ice, pour in 5 cl gin and 12 cl Double Dutch Elderflower Tonic, then add a rosemary sprig. The elderflower tonic follows the delicate floral character, while rosemary adds a fragrant herbal accent that sits well with the wild juniper and the salty side of the gin. The wide glass gathers the aromas, so the orange blossom comes through with each sip.