Cornwall
Cornwall is England’s most south-westerly county that built its reputation on fishing, mining and farming (and a bit of smuggling, too). Known to Cornish speakers as Kernow, it’s now the place to come if you seek isolated craggy coves, wide expanses of smooth sand or wild, rugged moorland.
Quaint cottages crowd tiny harbours while ruined mine buildings and ancient castles occupy loftier positions on cliff tops. There are surf breaks to conquer, walking and cycle trails that criss-cross the county and rich sightseeing in its stately homes and gardens. If you don’t know where to begin, check out our list of the best things to do in Cornwall.
King Arthur Trail. Bring the legend to life.
Follow the King Arthur trail in Cornwall and find the setting of the legend that has entertained us for generations. So the story goes, Excalibur, the King’s sword, was thrown into Dozmary Pool on Bodmin Moor. An inscribed stone-slab at Slaughterbridge marks the spot where Arthur ended the fellowship of the Round Table.
But it’s Tintagel Castle, whose ruins span a gap between the mainland and a rocky headland, that’s the poster child for the King Arthur story. The 12th-century writer Geoffrey of Monmouth identified it as Arthur’s birthplace. This association with the Arthurian legend inspired the Earl of Cornwall to build a castle on the site in 1230 and ensures a steady stream of visitors to this day.
Trevethan Gin Distillery.
Tamar View Industrial Estate, Prideaux Close, TAMAR VIEW, Saltash PL12 6LD, Verenigd Koninkrijk
FOUNDED IN 1929 ON THE NECESSARY INGENUITY AND SEASONALITY OF TRADITIONAL, RURAL CORNISH RECIPES, TREVETHAN DISTILLERY HAVE, USING SCIENCE AND INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES, TAKEN THAT INVENTIVENESS TO A NEW LEVEL TO CRAFT WORLD CLASS SPIRITS.
“Trevethan was founded on two principles: honour the past, then make it better”
— JOHN HALL, CO FOUNDER AND DISTILLER
When you think of Trevethan Distillery, it’s most likely that you associate it with a world class producer of London Dry Gin. However, what many may not realise is that we began making our first dark spirit back in 2019 when we produced a special edition Lost Garden Rum for the Lost Gardens of Heligan. We’ve also been quietly maturing single estate brandy that has been in cask since 2021.
THE TREVETHAN STORY
1929
Norman Trevethan creates a ‘bathtub’ gin, the original Trevethan Gin recipe, whilst working as a Chauffeur for the Port Eliot Estate in Cornwall.
1929
2013
John Hall and Rob Cuffe (Norman’s grandson) decide to resurrect the Trevethan gin recipe – development begins.
2015
John elevates Norman’s bathtub recipe to a classic London Dry distilled gin, and it is released to the UK market featuring a bottle and label design echoing its 1920’s heritage.
2016
Trevethan Distillery receives its first IWSC Silver Medal for their Original Dry Gin.
2017
Trevethan Distillery receives IWSC Silver Medal for their Original Dry Gin.
Trevethan is the first independent craft distillery to be launched into Waitrose
2018
Trevethan receives IWSC Silver medals for their Original 1929 London Dry Gin and their Chauffeurs Reserve Navy Strength.
2019
Trevethan receives IWSC Silver Medal for their Original Dry Gin.
2020
Trevethan receives IWSC Silver Medal for their Original Dry Gin.
2021
Trevethan receives its first IWSC Gold Medal for their Original Dry Gin and are name the IWSC’s UK Gin Distillery of the Year for their combined performance across the gin categories.
2022
Trevethan receives an IWSC Gold Outstanding Medal for their Original Dry Gin and are a finalist in the UK Gin Distillery of the Year award.
Trevethan’s new shape bottle is launched. Produced in the UK and using 30% less glass.
Trevethan expand their listing with Waitrose across the whole of the UK.
2023
Trevethan welcome new investment for international growth and brand development.
Trevethan launch in the US and Europe
2024
Johns pioneering journey continues, redefining how gin should be made leads to an exciting new product to be launched at the end of the year. Watch this space, the best is yet to come…
TARQUIN’S Gin.
11, Higher Trevibban Farm, St Ervan, Wadebridge PL27 7SH, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Tarquin’s Gin is the story of our founder, Tarquin Leadbetter and his quest to craft a world beating gin on The Wild Cornish Coast.
At just 23 years old, Tarquin, a classically trained chef from the Cordon Bleu in Paris, somehow finds himself sat behind a grey desk in the city of London. He quickly realises this environment is at odds to what really makes him tick and he serves his notice. He starts to scheme. One idea surfaces, then another, then more. Each building in ambition and each driven by the same guiding principle – the passion to create.
He hones his thinking. One idea takes a hold and quickly becomes an all-encompassing vision. Tarquin, supported by the business acumen and drive of his sister Athene, sets his sights on establishing the first Cornish distillery for over 100 years. Armed with a 0.7 ltr copper pot still, a suitcase stuffed with botanicals weird and wonderful, and a prized surfboard, Tarquin makes his return to the West Country and begins his adventure to create what will later be awarded the World’s Best Gin.
Smuggled from Cornwell Gin.
Cornwall has a long history of smuggling, dating back to the Middle Ages when the county’s coastal communities turned to illegal trade to avoid high taxes on imported goods. Smuggling became particularly prevalent in the 18th and 19th centuries when Cornwall’s fishing villages were hit hard by declining fish stocks and high taxes on imported goods which made legitimate trade difficult.
Despite the efforts of the Royal Navy and local authorities to stamp out the illegal trade, smuggling continued to thrive in Cornwall, with many locals turning a blind eye to the illicit activities of their neighbours. The rugged coastline and hidden coves of Cornwall provided the perfect hiding spots to smuggle bounty such as tea, spices, and of course spirits, and most notably rum!
This rum would often taste of the sea as the smugglers dragged the barrels along the seabed to avoid vigilant customs officers. Today, we add a pinch of Cornish sea salt to our rum in a nod to our smuggling past.
TARQUIN’S HANDCRAFTED CORNISH DRY GIN
£37.00 / 70cl / 42% ABV
A contemporary take on a classic London dry gin, distilled with 12 botanicals sourced from across the globe and locally foraged on the wild Cornish coast. Crisp piney notes from the juniper balance with fresh citrus and a bright floral finish. Try it with red grapefruit and a sprig of thyme.
Tasting notes:
Fresh, crisp and vibrant juniper nose. Light aromatic spice, orange blossom and a hint of cardamom. Creamy, dry with delicate green pine and subtle frangipane notes. Crisp and clean on the finish, with lingering citrus zest and eastern spices.
Pairs perfectly with:
Mediterranean Tonic, Red Grapefruit and a sprig of Thyme.
Vegan friendly. All orders delivered in plastic free packaging.
TARQUIN’S “THE SEADOG” NAVY STRENGTH GIN
Our ‘world-beating’ gin – brimming with Cornish personality
£46.00 / 70cl / 57% ABV
Proud winner of “World’s Best Gin 2017” at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards. Inspired by the beautiful, wild coast of north Cornwall and the Atlantic Ocean beyond, Tarquin’s “The Seadog” Navy Gin is brimming with bold Cornish personality.
Tasting notes:
Fresh, crisp and vibrant juniper nose. Light aromatic spice, orange blossom and a hint of cardamom. Creamy, dry with delicate green pine and subtle frangipane notes. Crisp and clean on the finish, with lingering citrus zest and eastern spices.
Pairs perfectly with:
An aromatic tonic, a slice of orange and sprig of rosemary.
70cl – 57% ABV
Vegan friendly. All orders delivered in plastic free packaging.
TARQUIN’S LEMON & ORANGE GIN
£38.00 / 70cl / 40% ABV
Inspired by the fragrant citrus groves of Italy.
This juicy limited edition is crafted in small authentic batches at our Distillery HQ on the Wild Cornish Coast. Infused with juicy lemons and fresh orange peel overnight. To craft a beautiful gin that will transport you to the idyllic Southern Coast of Italy in a single sip.
Tasting notes:
Nose – Citrus Blossom, Fresh Marmalade & Lemon Drizzle
Body – Wild Lemons, Orange Sorbet & Sicilian Lemonade
Finish – Juicy Citrus, Sweet Yuzu & Zesty Blood Orange
Pairs perfectly with:
Serve with a Fever-Tree Sicilian lemonade, orange wedge & basil
70cl – 40% ABV
Vegan friendly. All orders delivered in plastic free packaging.
TARQUIN’S ‘THE CORNISH FORAGER’ GIN
£38.00 / 70cl / 40% ABV
A taste of our fresh Cornish Hedgerows
As experimental as it comes, this tiny-batch limited-edition is a tale of the changing seasons. Crafted for those with Tarquin’s mindset – who celebrate their wild local landscape and its seasonal beauty. We have foraged our local hedgerows to create this experimental gin. Distilled in small batches with a medley of Wild.
