Derbyshire distillery launches poppy themed gin to support armed services

Derbyshire Distillery has launched a brand new gin called the 'Eleventh Hour' which pays homage to the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal. Photo by Simon Turton

Derbyshire Distillery has launched a brand new gin paying homage to the Royal British Legion and the Poppy appeal with a share of of the proceeds going to the armed forces charity.

The new gin called the ‘Eleventh Hour Gin’ is a traditional dry gin distilled with a unique blend of botanicals, including juniper, coriander, angelica, orris root, cassia, ginger, sour cherry, lemon and poppy seeds.

It is the brainchild of ex-serviceman, Richard Aspinall, sales manager at Derbyshire Distillery, who wanted to do something with the company to help support the work of the Royal British Legion.

Richard served in the British Army for five year's and has had the first-hand experience of the work of The Legion, which has been supporting those who are still serving in our Armed Forces, ex-servicemen and women, and their families for nearly 100 years.

Richard Aspinall, ex-serviceman and sales manager at Derbyshire Distillery. Photo by Simon Turton

He presented his idea for Eleventh Hour Gin to the owners of the company who were immediately impressed and six months later the gin has gone on sale, which will now help raise essential funds for the Royal British Legion charity.

Phil Meakin, a founding director at the distillery, said: “The Royal British Legion has been very supportive of the new gin from the outset.

“During the last few months we have been refining the gin, developing the brand and sourcing bottles, and we’re now ready to launch the gin.

“It is such a worthy cause, and we are delighted that Richard took the initiative to develop the idea that will help to support the charity that he will be a part of for the rest of his life.”

The 'Eleventh Hour gin' is on sale now and £3 from every sale will go to the Royal British Legion.

The labelling on the gin has been designed in association with acclaimed British fashion designer, Nigel Cabourn, who is famous for his menswear collections that are influenced by military dress and vintage clothing.

This gin is priced at £22.99 and every bottle purchased will contribute to supporting those from the Armed Forces community past and present - enabling The Royal British Legion to make a difference to the lives of those who have served for the country as well as their families.

For every bottle purchased the Derbyshire distillery will give £3 to the Royal British Legion.

Richard said: “I have lost good friends and have seen how some injuries can change the life of those that served alongside me.

“The Royal British Legion is always there for the Armed Forces community, and I was keen to do something to help, especially this year where every donation and every poppy really does count.

“As an employee of a gin distillery, the idea just came to me: why not create a new gin that would help to raise funds for this worthy cause? Gin remains very popular, so I just put the two together.”

He added: “The reaction has been overwhelming, absolutely out of this world.

“Everybody seems to be getting behind it, getting on board, orders are coming in all the time so yeah proud as punch.

“It’ll blow your mind, it’s not too dry, it's not too sweet, it’s right in the middle, and it’s still 40 per cent gin at the end of the day, so you are having a proper gin.”

To purchase the gin, visit www.derbyshiredistillery.com/ or to support the Royal British Legion, go to www.britishlegion.org.uk/