ANNO DISTILLERS :
TAKING GIN PRODUCTION IN KENT TO THE EXTREME
NESTLED IN THE QUAINT VILLAGE OF MARDEN IN KENT , ANNO DISTILLERS , HAVE REVIVED THE DISTILLING INDUSTRY IN THE COUNTY . BOASTING PROUD TITLES , SUCH AS KENT ’ S FIRST MICRO- DISTILLERY , FIRST TO DISTIL GIN IN THE COUNTY IN OVER 200 YEARS , AND PRODUCING KENT ’ S FIRST WHISKY , ANNO HAVE MOST RECENTLY ADDED THE WORLD ’ S STRONGEST GIN TO THIS IMPRESSIVE LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS . THE APTLY NAMED ‘ ANNO EXTREME 95 GIN ’, CLOCKS IN AT AN ASTONISHING 95 % ABV , AND THEREFORE TAKES THE TITLE AS THE STRONGEST GIN IN THE WORLD .
No strangers to success , the distillery , founded by lifelong scientists Andy Reason and Norman Lewis , has already built an enviable reputation for themselves across the county , with their Anno Kent Dry Gin claiming accolades such as ‘ Product of the Year ’ at the Taste of Kent Awards . Further afield they have also won a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards , Great Taste Awards , IWSC medals and BBC Good Food Champions , plus many more .
The company takes its inspiration from their home county , the Garden of England , creating an exciting blend of ‘ science and nature ’, by using numerous local botanicals , including Kentish hops , strawberries , lavender , elderflower , and samphire . Their spirits , which range from super-smooth dry gins to delightfully fruity ones ; and from seasonal favourites like the festively spiced cranberry gin – described by its fans as “ Christmas in a bottle ” – to a light and perfectly balanced limited edition whisky . All of their creations are lovingly crafted in their 300l copperpot-still , named Patience as an homage to the lengthy wait they had to endure to gain their distillation licences when the company was first founded back in 2011 . Since that day , they ’ ve gone from strength to strength , and now boast another award-winning member of their roster in the form of a pop-up shop in Bluewater Shopping Centre , which won ‘ shortterm retail outlet of the year ’ last Christmas , beating competition from established global brands , such as Maison by Christian Dior .
It was here that Anno fans first got the chance to become gin makers themselves and share in the magic that Anno creates , through their ‘ Blending Experience ’. Pre-COVID , gin enthusiasts had the chance to visit the store ( or distillery ) and experiment with making their own bespoke gin , helped by Anno ’ s experts , using all of the wonderful flavours that the distillery uses itself on a daily basis , plus a few more unusual ones – chocolate orange or colour changing gin anyone ?
This year has definitely been an unusual and interesting one for Anno , with many new challenges . They used their vast scientific expertise to shift from gin production to instead heeding the Government ’ s call to help combat the spread of the COVID-19 , by manufacturing sanitiser . They also showed their philanthropic side , with donations of essential supplies to hospitals , care homes , GP surgeries , emergency services , and others , to try to keep as many places open as safely possible and help to slow the spread of the virus . Despite all of the challenges faced , Anno were pleased to still be able to release a new product , the aforementioned , ‘ Extreme 95 ’, which not only packs a punch , but also delivers flavour in abundance . Although it is the world ’ s strongest gin , due to its intense botanical flavour Anno have designed this creation to be enjoyed as a small 5ml serving with tonic , which actually makes it a low alcohol ( and therefore a low calorie ) serve .
With 2021 and hopefully better times for all on the horizon , Anno are proudly flying the flag for the county of Kent for many years to come , and are asking people to remember to buy local this Christmas .
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