An East Yorkshire gin maker has launched a new variety which it says is the first of its kind in England.
Fox Gins, founded by couple Aimee Toomey and Oliver Beniston earlier this year, has received rave reviews since its launch from their home in Kirk Ella.
Now, the business has unveiled its new, innovative honeyberry gin – something the pair believe no other manufacturers are doing in the country.
Honeyberries are sourced from a farm in East Yorkshire, with the flavour described as being “a cross between a gooseberry and a blueberry.
Aimee explained how the new product came about.
She said: “When we launched the business, and a story appeared in the paper, a farmer approached us who grows honeyberries.
“He said he had considered going into gin in the past, but had decided not to pursue that line. We went down to the farm and tried the berries, and decided our new gin should be a honeyberry blend.
“When we launched it at Barmbyfields Barns near Pocklington, it just went crazy. We are the only people in England to be doing honeyberry gin. We know of other one maker, but they are in Scotland.”
Fox Gins has now added honeyberry to its existing variety of gins.
It has joined a traditional Yorkshire dry and a pink gin, with the final other product consisting of a liquorice root gin.
Gins are currently distilled at the pair’s home in Kirk Ella.
Co-founder Oliver’s background lies in microbiology, and his previous experience working at beer giant Heineken means he is behind the flavours and creation of the gins, with Aimee heading up the tasting and marketing side of the business.
“Honeyberries are a very new berry to the UK,” Aimee said.
“The taste is actually quite tart, and people have been surprised when they drink it, because they expected it to be sweet.”
Aimee said when the honeyberry gin is distilled, it creates a clear colour.
Natural colouring is then added to create a more appealing finished product.
Looking ahead at Fox Gins’ future plans, Aimee said: “Rather than just focus our business on Hull, we have branched out to look at York, the Dales and Otley.
“We want to spread the word of what we are doing first, and then we will build it up in local markets.
“So far we have got products in places including House of Townend, Drewton’s at South Cave and Sewell on the Go.
“We also plan moving forwards to get into more select, high-end farm shop locations.”
Fox Gins has its own website, which you can visit at www.foxgins.co.uk .
