Are you looking for an experience either for yourself or as a present? If so, I highly recommend Nelson’s Distillery Gin & Vodka School.
I headed along to try out the school yesterday and was really impressed with the whole experience from start to finish. I attended the Birmingham School which was held at the Clayton Hotel which would be perfect for a hotel stay too if you were making a whole weekend of it. You definitely don’t want to be driving after this experience.
Learning about the history of Gin from the very first mention of Juniper (the core ingredient) being combined with alcohol from as far back as 70AD. A Physician named Pedanius Dioscorides who published a five-volume encyclopaedia about herbal medicine including a detailed description of juniper berries steeped in wine to combat chest ailments – all the way to the 16th Century when the Dutch began producing a spirit called “genever” (which by the 1700s had taken on a new form – gin).
To the sketched incredibly dark propaganda by William Hogarth in the mid 1700s to turn people away from gin. “Beer Street” on the right, depicting how safe beer is to drink and then “Gin Lane” on the left showing a rather depressing scene of people with syphilis sores and a gin drunk mother sprawled over the steps, dropping her baby. Make sure you have a good look at the picture on the left to see various awful images.
The history of Gin continues in lots more interesting detail, with chances to touch and smell juniper berries. Hear where they import the juniper from these days, where the water used in Nelson’s Gin comes from and learn the art and precision of distilling as you create your very own unique recipe using your choice of the many botanicals available at the school.
Watch as your creation distils before your eyes then wax and label your 70cl bottle all ready to take home that very day.
All whilst enjoying three very popular and tasty Gin and Tonics – or just Gin if you like it neat and a lovely Afternoon Tea of finger sandwiches, scones and a variety of cakes.
So, what do you get?
- A 4 hour experience
- Create 1 x 70cl bottle per still
- Light lunch and refreshments provided
- Taste 3 of Nelson’s award winning Gins
- A £20 gift voucher per still to spend on the website shop
Classes run in Birmingham: Friday – Sunday, 12PM – 4PM
There are classes running on different days and times at Uttoxeter, Manchester and Leeds too.
Conclusion: I had a fantastic time. Dave who ran the session was amazing. Informative, friendly, with a great sense of humour. He really added to the whole experience. Everything was incredibly well organised and it was such fun. Highly recommended.
If you would like to book on, please do visit the website here where you can find current prices and offers: https://nelsonsdistillery.co.uk/
Disclaimer: I was invited along to Nelson’s Gin School. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.