FOOD AND DRINK
AN ALCHEMIST OF FINE SPIRITS
One-to-one with Paul Bowler of Winchester Distillery
You might recognise Paul Bowler as the man behind Twisted Nose , Winchester ’ s multi-award-winning gin distilled with watercress from Hampshire chalk streams . But Paul is not one to rest on his laurels and is now working on his first batch of whisky , having already created Winchester Distillery White and Golden Rums this year .
Paul launched Winchester Distillery in 2014 from his home kitchen . “ Friends and colleagues thought I was completely mad , but what started as an experiment soon had me hooked ," he says . “ Having fine-tuned my gin botanicals through a process of trial and error and intensive study with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust , I finally created a gin I was proud of .”
The gin was Twisted Nose , which was launched in 2014 , initially in batches of just 50 bottles . Combining 10 botanicals , including watercress to give it a fragrant and refreshing finish , it was snapped up by the city ’ s independent wine merchants and hostelries and there was soon a waiting list for bottles .
“ Thanks to changes in distilling law , craft gin production began to see a surge of interest from food and wine critics nationally and that , combined with local support , really helped to boost business ,” Paul says .
Winchester Round Table Gin launched on World Gin Day 2017 at the Great Hall , with its distinctive label inspired by King Arthur ’ s round table . The dry gin features botanicals commonly used in medieval food and medicine ; one for each knight , and juniper for King Arthur .
Crowdfunding propelled the business into the next stage of its development , allowing Paul to move to bigger premises with more space for production . “ We ’ ve now laid down whisky made from local barley and water for release once aged ,” he says .
The distillery has an impressive following from connoisseurs of fine spirits from across the world . “ The TV star and actress Amanda Holden mentioned Twisted Nose on a cookery programme and orders shot up ,” Paul says . “ We ' re now stocked in Waitrose ' s Leckford farm shop and John Lewis nationwide and also served in the bars of The Ivy and The Bishop on the Bridge locally – among many others .”
Seasonal gins have extended the range still further , but at the heart of the business is Paul , who now judges at international wine and spirits competitions . “ I spend far too much time at the distillery , but wouldn ’ t have it any other way ,” he says . “ I ’ ll have been making spirits for 10 years in 2024 and still get the same buzz from the creative process that makes them so special .”
www . winchesterdistillery . co . uk
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