Gin O’Clock with 6 O’clock Gin

Saturday afternoon was spent sipping a double 6 o’clock gin whilst partaking in their distillery tour – could a weekend start any better?!

The two tour started off with a quick round up of the history of the business.  Bramley & Gage is a family run business established by Edward Bramley Kain and Penelope Gage back in 1980 down in Dittisham, South Devon.  We’ve spent many a happy holiday in Dittisham so could relate to the countryside photos dotted around.  Without going into too much detail, the business moved to Gloucestershire in 2007.  It was in 2010 that 6 O’clock Gin was launched.  It’s a refinement of the gin that Edward had been making for years as the basis for his Sloe and Damson Gins.  Back in 2010 there were just 50 distillers to compete with…that number is now around 350 and growing every day.

6 O’clock is a London Dry Gin.  The smooth clean taste is a result of their unique still (named Kathleen) which has 2 copper spheres which is the only one like it in the country.  Not only do Bramley & Gage make a fine gin, they also have a selection of liqueurs on offer.  All fruit is sourced from the UK and is of the highest quality.  They are often asked to make other drinks like lemonchello but sadly have to turn this work away as it doesn’t fit with the brand.

Tis a family run business through and through which doesn’t like to deviate from their artisan roots.  It has only been in the last 2 years that each bottle is now labelled with a machine.  Before then, each bottle was hand topped and hand labelled – a true labour of love.  One member of staff can hand label 6000 bottles in a day if required!

The team felt it was only fitting to celebrate the work of local chap Isambard Kingdom Brunel by developing a limited edition gin.  For every Brunel Edition sold, £1 is donated to the SS Great Britain Trust who opened the new ‘Being Brunel’ museum on Bristol’s Floating Harbour in March 2018.  The Brunel Edition has a more intense flavour with citrus freshness and a dry spicy finish.  In all honesty, I wasn’t as keen on this gin as their classic mix.

Rumour has it there are new bottles in development…watch this space!

If you want to find out how 6 o’Clock Gin make their gin so ‘Strikingly Smooth’, the 2 hour tour can be booked here.  If you’re a gin lover, I would highly recommend it!  Thanks to Darren, Maria and Zoe for guiding us round and answering all our questions!

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