Review

Monkhide Sloe Gin

Monkhide, Canon Pyon, Hereford, England, UK.

Monkhide.

Monkhide Country Wines was established in 2000 by ex-teachers, husband and wife team, Anthony (Digger) and Lorraine Digwood. Having been making their own homemade tipples, comments from friends spurred them on to set up commercially and sell them to the public. Using their own vegetable garden and small orchard for ingredients, they are supplemented from the surrounding hedgerows of the Herefordshire countryside. Many of the wild ingredients are collected with the aid of family and neighboring friends, helping to produce the country wines and liqueurs for Monkhide.

Their first commercial offering, 57 bottles of Raspberry Wine, sold out within a month and today they are producing around 15,000 bottles per year across the product range. Their liqueurs are selling well and are in much demand; as a consequence supply has been difficult to match and to this end the Country Wines are being phased out, providing greater business and production focus on the Liqueurs.

Made by hand using recipes handed down within the family. The ingredients are all natural products with no artificial flavors or colorings added. Their Sloe Gin is their top selling product and is made using an undisclosed London Dry Gin.

The Gin is presented in a clear cylindrical traditional wine style half bottle with rounded shoulders. It has a medium sized label which seems to have gone through several developments and thus may have varying designs.

Flavored Gin - Sloeberry.

Around 17% (34 Proof) – like the label there have been several different small variations in the alcohol strength made available, and it is difficult to predict exactly what ABV you may potentially find to purchase.

$$$$ - $$$$$. Not available in the USA. We have been unable to identify a suitable supplier to ship to the USA, it can be purchased direct from Monkhide’s website but only for shipping within the UK.

Unknown but includes juniper berries and sloeberries.

Unknown.

Unfortunately we have not tasted this yet, so are unable to provide any details.

One Gold Star, Great Taste Awards, 2007.