Rare Bird Distillery – Vanilla Spiced Gin

Artisan Gin from our Bottle Shop and Taproom:

After 20 years in the fire service, Matt Stewart and his wife Elizabeth decided to take the plunge and create a new gin brand in the beautiful market town of Malton, North Yorkshire. Having holidayed extensively across Europe, the pair decided to evoke the various places they had visited in the spirit they would be making.

Launched in September 2021, Rare Bird Vanilla Spiced Gin starts off with Matt producing a slightly spicy gin than he would make for his standard London Dry, adding star anise and allspice to his initial botanical mix. Following distillation, Madagascan Bourbon vanilla pods, cloves, ginger root and more star anise and allspice are macerated in the gin for 5 days, infusing rich, deep soft spice flavours and a beautiful burnt amber colour.

On the nose there are hints of charred orange peel, a touch of cracked black pepper and sweet cinnamon rolls. Those elements absolutely follow through onto the palate, with waves of warming spice and a lovely sweetness from the vanilla. It’s a gin that you can treat as a rum or whisky for sipping neat on a cold winter’s night, or add to sparkling wine for a somewhat festive French 75 cocktail.