Tarquin's Story
Tarquin’s Gin is the story of one guy, Tarquin Leadbetter and his ambition, confidence & commitment to do things differently!
Back in 2012, at 23 years-old, Tarquin somehow found himself sat behind a grey corporate desk in London city. He quickly realised this environment doesn’t makes him tick, serves his notice and returns to his beloved West Country.
Setting his sights on establishing the first Cornish distillery for over 100 years, Tarquin armed with a 0.7 ltr copper pot still began experimenting in his family kitchen. He’s never distilled anything before in his life and so his first task is to begin self-teaching. It’s all a process of trial and error.
After a year, of constant experimentation and hundreds of taste tests, Tarquin finally hits on upon a winning recipe. From his bounty of botanicals, 12 are finally selected to make up his award-winning Cornish Dry Gin – a concoction of roots, spices, nuts, seeds, fruits and flowers sourced from the far corners of the world as well as from his back garden. Tarquin’s gin is ready – now to time to start sharing it with the world!
Over the next few years, Tarquin continues to grow his family of craft gins with experimental recipes and adds four traditional copper pot stills to his windswept Cornish distillery just to keep up with the ever-expanding demand.
Then in 2017, Tarquin’s “The SeaDog’ Navy Strength Gin, is crowned the “World’s Best Gin” at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition out of 260 individual gins… a fairly remarkable achievement for a self-taught distiller, using age-old techniques in a converted cow shed perched on the Wild Cornish Coast. Wouldn’t you say?
Cut to present day and even after 10 years, Tarquin is still experimenting with new recipes and proud to continue picking up awards all over the world for his Cornish gins. True to his original vision Tarquin remains resolute in his approach towards authenticity and traditional distilling on the Wild Cornish Coast.
This is the story of Tarquin’s Cornish Gin.
Hand-crafted Cornish spirits – done just a little bit differently.
Tarquin's Handcrafted Process
As a fully-independent, family-run business, at Tarquin’s Gin we celebrate the fact we do things a little differently.
We champion the most traditional techniques alongside progressively modern approaches in all we do. Established back in 2012, we are underpinned by an ethos of creative expression and innovation, all our award-winning gins celebrate our Cornish heritage and our desire to share our craft.
The beating hearts of our distillery are Tarquin’s four traditional, flame-fired copper pot stills – Tamara, Senara & Tressa and Ferrara. Tarquin finely tunes and orchestrates the unique personalities of each still to create his internationally award-winning spirits.
We use age-old traditional distilling techniques; heating our copper pot stills with a direct naked flame and sealing the top of the stills with bread dough. There are no machines, no automation, no out-souring. This approach to distilling is incredibly labour intensive but it means that the authenticity and integrity of our gin is always ensured. This is Tarquin’s core ethos.
Every single stage is lovingly done by hand. No shortcuts taken. No quality comprimised.
We ensure every bottle has it’s own unique personality. In fact, post distillation every single bottle is lovingly filled, waxed and stamped by hand before leaving our distillery.
Over the last 10 years, Tarquin is proud to have been recognised with some of the most prestigious awards in craft spirits including “World’s Best Gin”. However, despite this success Tarquin remains steadfast in his goal of making the world as passionate about drinking delicious tiny-batch gin as we are to make it.
YEGHES DA!
Tarquin's & Tonic
The flagship serve… fresh, vibrant and bursting with Cornish brightness!
Ingredients:
- 50ml TARQUIN’S CORNISH DRY GIN
- 150ml MEDITERRANEAN TONIC
- Garnish: A chunky wedge of red grapefruit
- Garnish: Fresh sprig of thyme
Method:
- Fill a large Copa glass with ice.
- Add a generous double measure of Tarquin’s Cornish Gin, then pour over your tonic.
- Give one quick stir with a bar spoon, then add your garnish.
- Enjoy… YEGHES DA!
The Cornish Sunshine Spritz
Vibrant and refreshing, it’s a slice of Cornish sunshine in every glass!
Ingredients:
- 50ml TARQUIN’S THE CORNISH SUNSHINE BLOOD ORANGE GIN
- 100ml SPARKLING ELDERFLOWER
- Garnish: A slice of orange
Method:
- Fill a wine glass with lots of ice, add gin and sparkling elderflower, then lightly stir.
- Garnish with a wheel of orange… YEGHES DA!
Cornish Ginger Blush
Oh, so simple to make and perfect for warm summer evenings
Ingredients:
- 50ml TARQUIN’S RHUBARB & RASPBERRY GIN
- 150ml GINGER ALE
- Garnish: Fresh mint & juicy raspberries
Method:
- Pour over ice in a tall glass.
- Garnish with mint and fresh raspberries for a simple refreshing drink.