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Strawhill Estate Spirits Co Ltd is in receipt of a Grant for SFA Capital & Development support from Invest NI for a project – New Distillery 2018.
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a little bit of history…
ABOUT US
Nestled in the rolling hills of Co Down, our distillery sits within the historic Strawhill Estate on the banks of the River Lagan.
We looked to the past for inspiration for our spirits, honouring the craftsmanship that existed in the village of Donaghcloney in years gone by. In the heyday of the Linen industry, the village was home to the famous William Liddell & Co Ltd Linen Mill.
The mill was once the largest Irish Linen Jacquard Weaving Mill in Ireland, exporting its award-winning Gold Medal Linens to all four corners of the World and included customers such as The White Star Line and the ill-fated Titanic. The Estate boasted a direct family connection to the mill and the surrounding area during that time.
We aim to emulate the industrial prowess of the past; crafting our spirits with passion, diligence and ingenuity.
Skilfully crafted, timelessly perfected, premium spirits.
HOW WE MAKE OUR SPIRITS
Distilled in Ireland using the finest botanicals and spirit, woven together to create a smooth and exquisite gin.
WATER
We draw our water for our spirits from deep within the sandstone bedrock, that stretches along the Lagan Valley. The River Lagan rises on Slieve Croob and during its course runs along the Estate, eventually running into the sea in Belfast. Our water is pure, crystal clear and has a perfect mineral content.
In the early 20th Century, Belfast had a thriving mineral water industry, producing tonic water, ginger ale and various seltzer waters, all the water used to produce these products, came from springs that sat within the same bedrock strata.
BOTANICALS
The botanicals used in our gin are sourced from various parts of the world: Juniper from Croatia, Cardamom from India, Orris Root from Morocco, Rose from Pakistan and Lavender from France are amongst the 12 botanicals that make up our recipe for our signature gin.
SPIRIT
We use a premium quality wheat based spirit to make our gin, currently like many other micro-distilleries we source this from a larger distillery, this guarantees consistency of quality and continuity of supply. As our business grows and our portfolio of products increase, we plan to make our own spirit for particular products.
THE STILL
We named our still Brünhild, a paramount figure of Germanic legend. Fearless in her approach and Powerful in her actions, we like to think of our still possessing these same qualities as it produces our spirits.
The still is a German crafted 230L Copper Pot Still, handmade in Bavaria to our own specification. It features 2 bubble plates for spirit enrichment and an ‘aRomat’, which is a special piece of engineering which ensures that only the purest and finest spirit is produced.
Crafted with Care
We’ve honoured the craftsmen and women who toiled in the mill; by producing a gin using traditional distillation methods and lots of graft, on a bespoke handmade copper still. Long hours have been spent crafting our recipe, weaving the finest botanicals and spices from around the world together; with the finest quality spirit and the purest spring water drawn from the Estate’s own source, to produce a gin worthy of its name.
Our Products
Jacquard Gin
44% alc. / vol
Jacquard Gin is our first spirit and signature gin from the distillery. Named after the weaving process that was used to manufacture the very highest quality damask cloth in the village and across Ireland.
We macerate the juniper and coriander overnight to release the oils, adding the remaining botanicals before we begin the distillation process. We only use fresh citrus to give a fresh zesty note. A further nod to the industrial past and to celebrate the products that were produced in the mill, we add Golden Flax seeds, which impart a smoothness to the gin.
This is a Classical gin, smooth and delicate on the palate, with notes of citrus and spice shining through. Floral notes woven into the background combine; to give a fresh finish and a longing complexity.
The Perfect Serve Recipes
The Jacquard Gin & tonic
1 part Jacquard Gin
2 parts premium tonic
Wedge of lime
Ice Cubes
Take a chilled glass and fill it with ice. Pour over the Gin and then add tonic slowly down the side of the glass, to retain maximum fizz. Garnish with a wedge of lime and enjoy!
Tenter’s Martini
1 1/3 parts Jacquard Gin
1/3 part dry Vermouth
A dash of orange bitters
1 strip of unwaxed lemon peel
4 medium ice cubes
Place the ice, Gin, Vermouth and bitters in a mixing glass. Stir for approx. 10 seconds, then strain into a martini glass.
Lightly press the lemon peel over the glass to release the oils then drop in.
Weaver’s White Lady
1 part Jacquard Gin
1 part Cointreau
1 part lemon juice
1 strip of lime peel
Ice Cubes
Place the ice, Gin, Cointreau and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker and shake well until thoroughly mixed. Strain into a frosted cocktail glass and add in some fresh ice.
Take a strip of lime and gently pinch over the glass, twisting to release the oils and then garnish to the side of the glass.
Doffer’s Negroni
1 part Jacquard Gin
1 part Aperol
1 part sweet Vermouth
Wedge of orange
Ice Cubes
Place the Gin, Aperol and Vermouth into a medium-sized glass. Top the glass up with plenty of ice and stir well. Finish with a wedge of fresh orange.
Get In Touch
Strawhill Estate Spirits Co. Ltd.
Phone
+44 (0) 771 162 6770
info@strawhillestate.com
Address
The Stableyard
2 Hall Road
Donaghcloney
BT 66 7LJ
Co. Down
N. Ireland
Strawhill Estate Spirits Co Ltd is in receipt of a Grant for SFA Capital & Development support from Invest NI for a project – New Distillery 2018.
This project which is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014-2020, aims to establish a working distillery producing a range of innovative spirits for both the home and export markets, creating jobs and contributing to the local economy.
