That’s the spirit!

We meet Julie, co-founder of Wicked Wolf Gin, and discover what sets her and husband Pat’s gin apart from the crowd.

Launched in September 2015 under the banner ‘The Spirit of Exmoor,’ Wicked Wolf Exmoor Gin is a premium craft gin made from 11 botanicals, distilled and blended on the banks of the picturesque river Lyn in north Devon. Passionate about all things gin, husband and wife team Pat Patel and Julie Heap are the faces behind this exciting venture.

“Julie recommends serving the gin with ice and lime, over a sprig of thyme”

Wicked Wolf Exmoor Gin features complex layers of citrus and pepper notes finely balanced with the distinct flavours of juniper and coriander, resulting in a mature, premium spirit. Hibiscus, cardamom and kaffir lime leaves have been artfully blended with these traditional aromatics, creating a full-flavoured, smooth gin. Pot distilled in a copper alembic still, Wicked Wolf Exmoor Gin is lovingly blended, filtered, bottled and labelled by hand in exclusive 100-litre batches. Currently, Wicked Wolf produces a minimum of two batches a week, but there are plans, according to Julie, to expand towards the end of the year.

On the process of making the gin, Julie tells us: “Each aromatic is prepared by hand, infused and distilled separately resulting in 11 individual distillates, which are then skilfully blended. This approach allows us complete control over the strength of each flavour, and enables consistency from batch to batch. The gin is filtered at each stage of the production process, producing a 42% ABV smooth, full-bodied and elegant spirit.” Julie recommends serving the gin with ice and lime, over a sprig of thyme. “This really does enhance all the flavours.” But, she says, “it’s equally at home neat with a block or two of ice, mixed with a quality tonic and garnished with pink grapefruit, in a classic gin martini or mixed with ginger beer.”

Throughout the year, Wicked Wolf produces a number of limited edition gins. In the past, these have been Silver Bullet, at 57% ABV, and another called Full Moon. Julie excitedly tells us that a limited edition gin in partnership with Exmoor Ales is currently being created, “so watch this space!”

WICKED WOLF GIN

The Old Chapel, Brendon EX35 6PT

01598 741357

www.wickedwolfgin.com