Northumberland's newest distillery has launched its second spirit and first-ever gin.
Ad Gefrin, a £16m distillery and visitor experience which is aiming to become the "go-to" museum for scholars of Anglo-Saxon Britain opened its doors to the public in March 2023. Thirlings Dry Gin follows its inaugural whisky blend, Tácnbora, which was launched at the end of last year.
Thirlings has been crafted with botanicals from the county, and is said to be a "testament to the flavours of Northumberland." Botanicals include heather and pine from the Cheviot hills, elderberry and dill from the hedgerow, and Irish moss and sea buckthorn from the Northumberland Coast.
Read more: Ad Gefrin co-founder hopes Northumberland's newest tourist attraction will regenerate hometown
Deeply rooted in history, Ad Gefrin hopes to celebrate its "heartland" through its spirits. The 7th century thegns who inhabited Thirlings, which the gin is named after, were responsible for overseeing the cultivation of the land, safeguarding its natural abundance and creating feasts befitting the Northumbrian kings and queens who set up court in their midst every summer.
Ben Murphy, director of distilling at Ad Gefrin, said: "We are really excited to be launching our second spirit – Thirlings Dry Gin. We have been working on this for some time, and I am really proud of the result.
"Again, it represents an authentic story of what it means to literally ‘distil’ Northumberland. We really hope that people enjoy it.
"With the weather so great, it’s the perfect time to try a long dry gin – and if you add a premium tonic and a twist of orange, Thirlings will be just perfect!"
What is your favourite Northumberland-based spirit? Let us know!
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