Founded in 2018, Sky Wave Gin is one of the UK's finest distilleries, producing a superb award-winning range of artisan gins, created by Master Distiller, Andrew Parsons.
Every stage of distillation, bottling and packaging is carried out in its boutique distillery at Bicester Heritage, a former World War Two RAF base, in Oxfordshire. There is also a shop, bar and visitor space offering weekly Distillery Experiences with Curated Gin Tastings that can accommodate up to 20 people.
Parsons has created a number of bespoke gins for other brands too, including Blenheim Palace Signature London Dry which is picking up its own medals in international spirits competitions.
Sky Wave's first release, Signature London Dry, won World's Best Contemporary Gin at the World Gin Awards 2020 and you can read more about that here on The Write Taste.
Other gins followed, including a second London Dry, Sky Wave Liberation Gin, which was awarded a Gold Medal in the Contemporary Style Gin category at the World Gin Awards 2022. In a short period of time, the company has gone from strength to strength, winning 39 global awards so far. These include a selective range of dry fruit gins and limited-edition releases.
Sky Wave Gin has also been crowdfunding, in partnership with Seedrs. "We want to take our luxury spirits to the next level", says Parsons. "We already have world-beating liquid, so now we will create a world class bottle for it and invest in deeper sales and marketing to reach new customers. Anyone interested in investing can do so, from as little as a few pounds or many thousands."
The campaign ends 6th December - click here to find out more.
Sky Wave has now launched its seventh gin, Sky Wave Old Tom, created in a traditional style with a contemporary makeover.
Old Tom Gin is a very old style of English gin, dating back to the 17th century. Production techniques and ingredients were often very poor, resulting in a rough-tasting spirit. As a result, gin was slightly sweetened and sometimes lightly spiced to make it palatable, particularly for drinking neat, which was the custom. This often resulted in a spirit that was no longer clear.
Parsons explains why he decided to make an Old Tom. "I am passionate about experimenting with gins old and new. Having already created a unique Limited Edition Cask-Aged Gin and the World's Best Contemporary Gin, I wanted to delve into the rich history of the Old Tom. The final iteration, on which I have settled, combines the tradition of an Old Tom with a contemporary twist. A hint of sweetness gives way to a slightly spicy palate with a long finish in this naturally tinted expression. It is the perfect drink at any time of year, but especially at Christmas."
The nose is fresh and enticingly aromatic. On opening the bottle, you are immediately greeted with a piney juniper, citrus and herb-scented aroma fest. The palate is similarly juniper-led with notes of pine nuts, candied lemon peel, soft spice and herbs (reminiscent of marjoram and sage perhaps) dancing in harmony with a beautifully smooth, creamy mouthfeel that delivers a balanced, elegant sweetness which never overpowers.
You can enjoy it neat or over ice, as a gin and tonic or in a fabulous gin cocktail.
For the perfect G&T, mix 1 part gin with 2 parts tonic over ice, then add a slice of lime and a couple of peppercorns.
Sky Wave Old Tom Gin is a superb, contemporary example of this classic style that has instant appeal. While delicious in a cocktail, if you've never tried gin on its own, then this is definitely one to go for.
… and if it doesn't win an award, I'll eat my jar of juniper berries!
Sky Wave Old Tom Gin costs £35 for a 500ml bottle, which you can buy from the distillery's webshop.
