Thankfully you can sample and buy from many of the county’s finest drinks producers at an event organised by Damian Best from DedBest Distillery and Faye Collyer-Rolls from Devil’s Dyke Distillery.
The Sussex Distillers Festival brings together twelve local businesses ranging from spirit makers to local wineries. The event will be held at Platf9rm at Hove Town Hall on Saturday 29 November with two ticketed sessions, noon until 4pm and 6pm through 10pm.
Advance tickets are £12.50 per person from www.sussexdistillers.co.uk and include a welcome drink, live music, sampling and tutored tastings. Cocktails, wine and beer are also available to purchase alongside bottles to take home so bring your shopping bag.
Argus readers can take advantage of a 50 per cent discount on tickets using the code SUSSEX50
Nick’s top Sussex tipples to try at the event:
Madame Jennifer Distillery sloe gin liqueur, £19
I sampled this at a trade show earlier this month and its utterly delicious. Made by Hove-based distillery duo Inger Smith and Ian Curtis using responsibly foraged Sussex sloe berries, its rich and fruity with a punch at 43%.
DedBest Distillery GINgerbread liqueur, £28
This is a standout – dare I even say world class – liqueur that I defy anyone not to fall immediately in love with. Pop open the cap and the room fills with the very essence of gingerbread, which is hardly surprising as distiller Damian Best steeps actual gingerbread cake in his gin rather than adding botanicals. It is literally Christmas in a glass, and yes I want a bottle in my stocking this year.
Goldstone Rum dark rum, £40
If you’re a regular on the Sussex bar scene then you’ll be familiar with the Goldstone Rum range of spirits. My personal favourite is there dark rum that is produced using chips of decommissioned Bourbon, Sherry, Cognac and virgin cherry barrels. The profile is bags of vanilla from the oak, plum and bergamot and smoky golden raisin on the finish. Also keep an eye out for their new yuzu vodka as that is a flavour that is taking the bar scene by storm at the moment.
Brighton Gin Orange Grove, £39
Surely everyone in Brighton – over the age of 18 – has enjoyed a Brighton Gin and tonic. Brainchild of Kathy Caton, you can now find this product crafted in Hove across the globe including top bars in Melbourne, Singapore and Mumbai. Although when I’m making cocktails I err towards the navy strength Brighton Seaside gin at 57%, I’ve recently added to my drinks trolley their 43% Orange Grove. With a marmalade flavour profile its obviously fantastic in a Negroni but did someone say ‘breakfast martini’?
