Not your average Gin & Vodka Tour
RATING 5⭐️+
H I G H L I G H T S
- A single Estate –a masterclass in how gin and vodka is made from farm to glass
- Informative and passionate friendly team
- Very generous “samples”
- Stunning location
D U R A T I O N – 1 Hour (well that’s what its supposed to be but it was a LOT longer)
C O S T – £20 each
L O C A T I O N – Bampton, Oxfordshire
I apologise for the long review – as a single estate distillery, this was so much more than just a standard gin tour.
Wood Brothers Distillery is based at the end of a country road on the family farm in the tiny village of Black Bourton – in the Cotswold. Not too far from the famous Burford or Bampton where Downton Abbey was filmed. Lucky for me only a few miles from my town. Arriving at the beautiful farm buildings was such a different experience than the industrial estates I’ve been visiting recently.
A warm welcome into the distillery a three hundred years-old converted barn. We turned left straight to the bar, a beautiful open room, a bar with walls decorated with copper accented bottles, complimented by lush navy velvet sofas, all very classic. Lots of jars of Botanicals line up against the wall for the gin making experience ( more on that another time).
Your first drink (of many) is mixed for you by the lovely Drew, a perfect serve in a tall tumbler of a double Wood Brothers gin and tonic.
All gathered, we moved outside with our gins to for our journey to begin – at the beginning.
T H E T O U R
Outside around the farms flour grinder (sure its called something else hopper ?!). Charlie one of the Wood Brothers, took us through all the different grains, explaining the process of harvesting the winter wheat, barley and rye which form the basis of vodka gin and the soon to be launched whisky.
Through huge wooden doors we went, into the heart of the distillery where flour is turned into the pure grain spirt. Sitting proud and high is Big Frank – a beautiful impressive 9.5 meters tall still – named after the brothers father and hand built to fit the space.
Charlie shared with us the process from start to finish of how neutral grain is made, from fermenting the grain in the three tanks, pumping into big Frank, taking low wines through 42 copper plates, to the result of clear, crisp spirit, with a smooth, caramel distinct flavour.
By creating their own spirit Wood Brothers can fully control the flavours of their products and deliver something special.
From here we moved to the next large room, and gathered round the smaller (but not small) copper stills that Wood Brothers use for distilling theirs and the contract distilling .
To make Wood Brothers London Dry the team take their lovingly made neutral grain and add 10 botanicals, 3 of which are grown on the farm, lavender, rosemary and dill, and mix with traditional gin botanicals, such as juniper berries, angelica root and citrus peels. Around the still we also hear the story of the history of gin and even get to try a little Genever.
T H E T A S T E
The most generous tour so far. Whilst at Big Frank, Charlie shared with us a taste of the product through the different phases – to smell and or taste if we were brave enough. Finishing off the story of the journey of the spirit with a taste of the finished product as a neat vodka. We of course tried the Wood Brothers gin again at the still, neat, whilst learning what botanicals are added. A great an interactive way to taste the product along its journey.
When back at the bar, it was our choice of gin or vodka and we were taken through the other products, sloe gin, sloe and damson.
Here we got to hear more about the team and how they started, the history of the family, the farm and even the journey of the brand. I won’t spoil it all for you but you can see depicted on the stunning bespoke bottles a lot of the history of the brand and the product. This chat around the bar was a relaxed way to finish the tour and ask any more questions. Really the boys were super generous with both time and drinks.
I N S U M M A R Y
Passionate, friendly and just all round great guys, so much knowledge and history and family feeling, it was like spending time with new friends and the space would make for an absolute great party – I will be back with friends in the New Year for sure.
T O P T I P S
First one is obviously don’t drive, it’s a remote location and so need to make sure in advance you book at taxi, or in our case it is possible to walk from our local town.
Don’t ever throw away the beautiful bottles – they are amazing, and the distillery now sell refill poches.
Ask questions, the boys are so open and the history of the farm is fascinating, from the old buildings to the stories of their WW2 pilot grandfather – who was also a Mushroom farmer.
Book your own fabulous tour here..
Tour de Gin 