Nestled in the charming village of Harrington, Northamptonshire, Warner’s Distillery stands uniquely as ground zero for the UK’s flavoured gin craze. My recent visit to this 200-year-old barn at Falls Farm, home to Warner’s award-winning gins & rums, was a refreshing journey into the world of handcrafted spirits.
Happy to be out of the big city and in the beautiful Northamptonshire hills, my day started with warm welcome from the founders, Tina and Tom Warner. Tom, with his appealing Nigel Farage type charisma (minus the prejudice) shared the fascinating story of how Warner’s began back in 2012 with a vision to create spirits that truly reflect the English landscape. Warner’s started the UK-wide flavoured gin craze with their pink rhubarb gin, setting a trend that many have since tried to copy. With 850 gin distilleries in the UK, what distinguishes Warner’s is their commitment to using only natural ingredients, as well as water drawn from natural springs from their family farm. Their flavouring is derived solely from a London dry gin mixed with botanicals grown on their farm—no artificial flavours or colours, unlike some of their competitors.
Our tour kicked off with a fun ride on a farm tractor-trailer. Jeremy Stephens, the head of distilling and horticulture, guided us through the 140-acre property. He explained how they meticulously grow the botanicals used in their spirits, including juniper, coriander, and angelica, which form the ‘Holy Ginity.’ Letting us loose to forage, we were soon picking our own botanicals, a term I was familiar with, and one that’s defined as any organic non toxic substance that can be added to gin to enhance it. Soon we were stocked up on fresh and organic lemon verbena, juniper, thyme and elderflower.
Next, we met Jonny Easter, the conservation and sustainability manager who, along with Tom Warner went through the surprisingly complex processes that goes into each bottle of Warner’s. Watching him select and blend botanicals, getting to touch, feel and more importantly smell the ingredients, made me realise how important this stage was in ensuring a consistent and great tasting flavoured gin. With our nostrils full of what smelt like banana, It was explained that Warner’s standard London dry gin was mixed with botanicals until the proof reached 40%. Nothing but gin and natural ingredients, which truly set Warner’s spirits apart from the rest.
Dressed up in protective beekeeping gear, looking like the clean up crew after a biological incident we were then led to Warner’s magical beehives where we had a up-close look at their thriving colonies. It was explained how bees are vital to their ecosystem and how Warner’s practices aim to minimize their environmental impact. It goes like this, the bees have ample botanicals to collect nectar from across their farm, which ensures plants are properly pollinated and you end up with delicious honey! Not letting anything good like that go to waste, you’ll be happy to hear they do a fantastic honey gin. Even the water used in their distillation process, sourced from an aquifer right under the farm, is a testament to their sustainable approach.
We then moved to the Paddock for a hands-on cocktail-making session. Under Jeremy’s guidance, we created a Warner’s Lemon Balm Smash. This interactive session was not only fun but also provided insights into how Warner’s has become self-sufficient in its botanical use. Mixing the cocktail with fresh ingredients right from the farm was a highlight of the day… mainly due to the copious amounts of gin tried. By the time we got to this part of the tour we were certainly ready to try everything we’d seen along the way. Trust me, it did not disappoint.
As the day wrapped up, I reflected on the immersive experience Warner’s Distillery offers. It’s more than just a tour; it’s a hands-on journey into the heart of artisan craftsmanship and sustainability, surrounded by beautiful British countryside. Leaving with complimentary samples and a deeper appreciation for distilling, I felt a real connection to this extraordinary place.
Warner’s Distillery isn’t just about making spirits; it’s about capturing the spirit of the land. Whether you’re a gin connoisseur or a curious newcomer, a visit to Warner’s is a must. The blend of history, nature, and craftsmanship makes it a standout destination in Northamptonshire. If you ever get the chance, don’t miss this unique experience – it’s one that will linger long after the last sip.
