Just the tonic for Brindle Distillery as it's honey flavoured gin is named as one of the best in the world

One of Lancashire's most-loved brands of gin has been crowned as one of the best tipples in the world.
Kath Cordingley of The Bee Centre helps Mark Long and Tom Fitzpatrick of Cuckoo Sunshine Gin, which is made using the centre's honey.Kath Cordingley of The Bee Centre helps Mark Long and Tom Fitzpatrick of Cuckoo Sunshine Gin, which is made using the centre's honey.
Kath Cordingley of The Bee Centre helps Mark Long and Tom Fitzpatrick of Cuckoo Sunshine Gin, which is made using the centre's honey.

Brindle Distillery’s Cuckoo Sunshine Gin, inset, has been named the Best Flavoured Gin in the 2018 Gin Guide Awards.

Named after the endearing term ‘Hello, Sunshine’, the gin, which is made at the distillery’s Holmes Farmbase in Sandy Lane, Brinscall, was crafted alongside the Bee Centre in Samlesbury Hall.

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The natural honey produced by the centre’s bees has been used to naturally sweeten the gin as a substitute for sugar.

Mark Long from Brindle Distillery said: “We’re immensely proud of it; from the fantastic support locally to nationwide. It’s really good to be working with a local company to produce something very different in a crowded market.”

He added: “Competition was high. It’s an international event with products from all over the world so it was really good to be highlighted as the best.”

Simon Cordingley from the Bee Centre said: “We are over the moon; it’s fantastic news. Mark and his team have done a really good job. It’s a family business that creates a really good product.”

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The 53-year-old, who runs the centre with wife Kath, added: “We have an apiary [where beehives are kept] on the farm now, so the idea will be to use that going forward.”

Mark Long with the Cuckoo Gin Signature.Mark Long with the Cuckoo Gin Signature.
Mark Long with the Cuckoo Gin Signature.

The Bamber Bridge residents have a total of 12 apiaries in Lancashire with around 40 to 60 pounds of honey produced by each hive every year.

“We plan to do combined distillery tours and bee experiences on the farm going forward,” Simon added.

Mark added that they have “quite a lot going on” regarding future gin flavours but we will we “have to wait and see” what happens.

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A spokesman from The Gin Guide said: "The Gin Guide Awards celebrates the quality and diversity in the gin industry and Cuckoo Sunshine Gin hugely impressed the expert judging panel.

Cuckoo Sunshine Gin.Cuckoo Sunshine Gin.
Cuckoo Sunshine Gin.

"Cuckoo Sunshine Gin strikes the balance between having a wealth of bold flavour and maintaining indentifiable characteristics of gin.

"Many flavoured gins focus on one or two stand out flavours, whilst Cuckoo Sunshine Gin combines flavours impressively to give complexity, depth and personality. It is an exceptionally moreish and enjoyable gin."

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