Masons Yorkshire Tea Gin 70cl

Product Information

We were particularly intrigued to try the Yorkshire Tea Edition as using tea as a botanical in gin has become a bit of a thing. Pioneered by Beefeater in the very splendid Beefeater 24 with its Chinese green tea and Japanese Sencha tea ingredients it’s a trend that doesn’t always fly. In fact I think one could safely draw a veil over the Heston Blumenthal Earl Grey and Lemon experiment, in my view a rare miss for this master of flavour. This world-class, London Dry gin is hand crafted in small batches at York’s only distillery, using a selection of 9 botanicals used by gin makers for the last 3 centuries. Inspired by the city of York with its rich history, which still remains to the present day, York Gin is lovingly created using traditional methods to create a well-balanced and flavoursome gin. This gin uses Hebridean sugar kelp as one of its botanicals, bottling a taste of the Scottish Isle of Harris where it is made. Made in South Africa, this Cruxland Gin is infused with Kalahari truffle to give it its distinctive taste, alongside more standard botanicals like honeybush and almond. Visits are welcome and you can chat to the team who will happily let you sample gin, affectionately known as Steve & Leftie with our newest still provisionally called Katy (mainly because the distillery team weren’t sure how to pronounce the maker of the still, Kothe!).

Founded by gin lovers Karl and Catherine Mason who knew enough about gin to make a spirit to appeal to their own very specialised taste, Mason’s Yorkshire Gin is indeed made in Yorkshire in the small market town of Bedale. In fact it seems the Masons have singlehandedly revived the tradition of distilling in Yorkshire. Reigning champions of the East Yorkshire Tourism Awards, and recent winners of the HullBID Entrepreneurial Spirit Award 2023, Hotham’s Gin first began in the port city of Hull where the owners decided that the gin frenzy market was in need of something spectacular. Originally located in Old Town, and now relocated to 55 Whitefriargate since 2021, Hotham’s Gin Distillery not only welcomes visitors for tours of the multi-award-winning establishment but through their expertise, guests can create their own unique bottle of gin to take home. With its traditional distillation method, the right balance of juniper, citrus elements and secret botanicals the team at Masons have finally created a distinctly unique gin they are proud to call Masons of Yorkshire Gin.

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The Pink Particular Gin is wonderfully aromatic with flavours of cardamon, lemon citrus and pink peppercorns. It should be served neat or with just a dash of tonic.

The favourite from this particular brand is their Lavender Edition, which promises dry lavender notes on the nose and candied lavender on the palette. Their London Dry Gin is distilled with 11 botanicals from across the globe, including hibiscus, green pepper and rosemary. Best served with tonic and a slice of pink grapefruit. Slingsby London Dry Gin As you sift through this article, you’ll feel nostalgic from the wave of seaside memories that Whitby Gin brings, being famous for combining land and sea botanicals to create a truly unique taste. From household names such as Slingsby and Masons, to bespoke micro-batches of Hotham’s; you’ll be truly spoilt when choosing your next tipple. If you’re looking for something with an extra punch, their Navy strength gin, Outlaw, is a dangerous 57% and inspired by the city’s oldest villains. There is no surprise why Yorkshire is titled as ‘God’s Own County’. Its idyllic scenery and cobbled streets are not only bestowed for its cosy community atmosphere, but the spirit of the region lies in its Yorkshire Gin. With an abundance of distilleries priding themselves on using the old copper stills and locally foraged ingredients, an eclectic and extensive range of award-winning gin brands and flavours have been birthed right here in Yorkshire.The York Gin Company was founded by four friends who share a love of gin and a passion for their historic city. York Gin was the very first to be distilled in the city of York and despite being on sale for just 6 months, it is one of the most popular Yorkshire gins on the Summer Tasting Menu at London Gin Club, Soho. Addingham Fruit Liqueurs is a small family run business, set up by Fiona Mann in Addingham, near Ilkley. Fiona was introduced to Sloe Gin by her late father-in-law and soon realised that you can “add any fruit to any spirit base”. After much encouragement and support from family and friends, she began experimenting with locally foraged fruits.

Reputable for their award-winning food brands, Malton is equally acclaimed for their Yorkshire Gin distillery, Rare Bird. The artisan superiors pride themselves on sophisticated creations such as their Natural Yorkshire Gin that is has notes of a distinguishing warm ginger taste. Their motto stands by ‘What grows together, goes together’, making their remarkable spirits stand out from the rest. In 2015 the original Mason’s Yorkshire Gin was boosted with the arrival of two sister expressions – Yorkshire Gin Lavender Edition and Yorkshire Gin Tea Edition. All three gins are bottled at 42% ABV and promote their use of Harrogate water to reduce bottling strength. I’m never entirely sure that a specific water source makes much of a difference to the final taste of gin as all the water used in gin production tends to be filtered, demineralised water hence exceptionally pure. But given that a terrifyingly large proportion of the gin in your bottle is water it certainly can’t do any harm! A unique flavoured gin with an aromatic nose, Spirit of Masham is distilled using Cork and Cases very own Masala Chai Tea. The addition of hops gives the gin a lemon finish.In 1571 a travelling Yorkshire man, William Slingsby, discovered the prepossessing hills of Harrogate and restored the silky spring water of Tewit Well. Through its restoration, the idyllic scenery of Harrogate’s landscape was unearthed and travellers across the globe would continue to be rejuvenated by the town to present day. Co-founders of Spirit of Harrogate, created in 2014, have encapsulated what Harrogate is synonymous for with their Yorkshire inspired gin tipples such as their Gooseberry Gin with is a sharp, tempered, tang. Famously, their renowned Yorkshire Rhubarb Gin has been created from the ‘Rhubard Triangle’, making an eminent gift for both food and gin lovers. Slingsby Gin is a household name that makes staying home with your favourite tipple all the worthwhile.

Harris Distillery also sell their Sugar Kelp Aromatic Water separately, to add even more crisp sea air to your drink. In 2018, alternative flavours have been at the forefront of the gin trend. Including the rise of pink gin, violet gin and even marshmallow gin.

Bottle at a glance

It’s no secret that the UK has a renewed obsession with gin. In fact, there are more than 15 successful Yorkshire Gin distilleries producing delightful and unique blends now.