Pondwell Hill, Ryde PO33 1PX, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Mermaid Gin Ethical sourced botanicals
MERMAID GIN 70CL
£ 41.00
Mermaid Gin at 42% ABV has been hand-crafted on the Isle of Wight since 2014 using ten ethically sourced botanicals. Presented in a stunning eco-friendly bottle.
Mermaid Gin is a smooth yet complex blend of fresh organic lemon zest, the peppery notes in grains of paradise and a hint of sea air from fragrant rock samphire. Refreshing and invigorating.
MERMAID PINK GIN 70CL
£ 41.00
MERMAID PINK GIN
Aromatic and refreshing, Mermaid Pink Gin infuses the flavour of fresh Island strawberries with the smooth yet complex taste of our award-winning Mermaid Gin, a blend of lemon zest, grains of paradise and fragrant rock samphire. Perfectly balanced, subtle yet vibrant, less sweet than most pink gins with no added sugar.
STRAWBERRY INFUSION
Fresh Isle of Wight strawberries, grown in the rich and fertile microclimate of the Arreton Valley, are steeped in our signature smooth gin for four days, before being redistilled to create Mermaid Pink Gin, with its intensely aromatic, fresh flavour. Infusing fresh sunkissed strawberries with our smooth yet complex gin creates a refreshingly layered serve, with a hint of sea air from fragrant rock samphire.
FLAVOUR
TASTING NOTES
A contemporary style pink gin. Smooth, refreshing and complex with a rosy hue. The nose is flooded by aromatic strawberries, fresh citrus and gentle juniper. The taste is a vibrant berry flavour with warm spice and a hint of sea air. A long, layered and complex finish rounds off the experience with a well-rounded mouthfeel.
MERMAID ZEST GIN 70CL
£ 41.00
MERMAID ZEST GIN
A zesty, aromatic infusion of Mermaid Gin with summer citrus fruits and wild foraged, coastal botanicals. Grapefruit and cascade hops are blended with island bergamot, lemon zest and rosemary, ‘the dew of the sea’, then distilled and infused with our signature gin. The result is a zesty, fresh spirit with a hint of sea air.
ISLAND INSPIRED
Inspired by the lush, verdant island, its seagrass beds and the natural world, Mermaid Zest Gin is encased in a classic, emerald green bottle. Infused with coastal rock samphire and rosemary foraged from the island’s shores, with fruits grown northside of our island home.
FLAVOUR
TASTING NOTES
A smooth, refreshing and complex gin with a zesty tone. Bright and fresh grapefruit on the nose, with gentle juniper. A citrus zing combined with a subtle sweetness with herbal notes. A long, layered and complex finish rounds off the experience with a well-rounded mouthfeel.
MERMAID ZEST & TONIC
TASTE
Smooth yet complex, citrussy and refreshing
INGREDIENTS
- 50ml Mermaid Zest Gin
- A splash of Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic
GARNISH
A slice of fresh lemon and a sprig of rosemary
METHOD
Pour a measure of Mermaid Zest Gin into an ice-filled glass, top up with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic.
HMS VICTORY GIN
£ 51.75
HMS VICTORY GIN
Bold and strong, our award-winning HMS Victory Navy Strength Gin packs a high concentration of botanicals to deliver a powerful, intense flavour worthy of the world’s oldest serving warship.
A confident gin with heart and a sense of history for the Gin aficionado.
A TASTE OF HISTORY
Working in partnership with The National Museum of the Royal Navy, the Isle of Wight Distillery produces this unique, sophisticated 57% ABV Navy Strength Gin under a special licence. Crafted in the spirit of high seas, courage and adventure – and named after one of our most famous warships – a percentage of all our HMS Victory Gin sales are donated to support her ongoing restoration.
FLAVOUR
TASTING NOTES
A smooth and complex gin with a classic, bold style. The nose is intense, boasting citrus and peppery notes whilst the taste has warm spice and vibrant lemon zest. A long layered and complex finish completes the gin, ending with a well-rounded mouthfeel.
HMS VICTORY GIN & TONIC
INGREDIENTS
- 25/50ml HMS Navy Strength Gin
- Top up with Fever Tree Aromatic Tonic
METHOD
Fill a tumbler with a generous helping of ice. Add 25/50ml HMS Navy Strength Gin and top up with Fever Tree Aromatic Tonic.
GARNISH
A wedge of lime & a cucumber slice.
HMS VICTORY OAK AGED GIN
£ 262.10
A RARE CHANCE TO TASTE A PIECE OF HISTORY. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE ROYAL NAVY, WE HAVE RECREATED THE STYLE OF GIN IMBIBED BY NAVAL OFFICERS DURING THE 1800’S AT 57% ABV.
HMS Gin was stored on board ships in oak barrels that had been used for wine. As with whisky, much of the colour, flavour and character is carried over from the oak itself. We commissioned four oak barrels to be re-made from wine casks by Alastair Sims, England’s only Master Cooper.
Each barrel contains oak stave from the HMS Victory, extracted as part of her ongoing restoration, imparting this famous ship’s true character in the gin. The barrels were filled in May 2016 with our HMS Victory Navy Strength Gin.
There have been four limited edition releases; the first release was in October 2016, the second in May 2017. The third was released two years later, in May 2019, with the final batch aged for five years, and released May 2021.
Each release is limited to 251 70cl bottles, as 2016 saw the 251st anniversary of the launch of the HMS Victory. Each bottle is individually numbered and presented in a locally made box with a leather handle and engraved coaster.
B CORP & PLASTIC-FREE
In 2022, we achieved another sustainability goal of becoming a B Corporation, joining a global, progressive community of organisations using business as a force for good, balancing profit with purpose and people.
Mermaid Gin has been awarded first place in the IWSC Awards and Best Eco-Packaging from the American Distilling Institute. Crafted from recyclable glass, our bottle features a natural cork stopper and compostable tamper-proof seal. We’ve extended this approach to our packaging and gift sets, ensuring that boxes are reusable where possible and always recyclable. By presenting our gin in a plastic-free package and supporting marine conservation projects, we aim to preserve the environment we’re inspired by.
THE ISLE OF WIGHT DISTILLERY
Founded by Xavier Baker & Conrad Gauntlett in 2014, the Isle of Wight Distillery is the island’s first and only distillery and the home of Mermaid Gin. Rooted in the natural landscape of a unique island, our small team distil spirits shaped by our stunning surroundings and the unique character of our island. Doing things differently, minimising waste and using ethically sourced and often local ingredients to craft a range of smooth, complex spirits.
A PASSION PROJECT
BRINGING A HINT OF SEA AIR
With a wealth of knowledge in brewing and winemaking, Xavier and Conrad set about combining their experience to embark on a passion project, hand-crafted spirits, made on the island, using wild-foraged and ethically sourced ingredients. Since the Distillery was founded in 2014, Mermaid Gin and its varieties have made their way across the country as well as adventuring overseas, bringing a hint of ocean air to gin lovers across the globe.
SUSTAINABILITY
As part of our commitment to sustainability, conservation and a circular economy, we’re proactive in helping to protect our island’s marine environment. We’ve adopted a progressive and sustainable approach – gradually eliminating plastic from our packaging and supply chains while using biodegradable materials wherever possible. We’re on a continuous journey to improve every step in our process to minimise our impact on the environment.
NATURAL INGREDIENTS
Inspired by our island setting, we use ethically sourced and natural ingredients wild-foraged from the island’s shores. Rock Samphire is foraged from our shoreline, Boadicea hops are harvested from Ventnor Botanic Gardens and elderflower is handpicked from local fields, while our strawberries are grown in the lush and sun-soaked Arreton Valley.
OUR DISTILLING PROCESS
Slow distillation and local, sustainably sourced ingredients combine to craft a pure and perfectly blended range of spirits. Working with column stills, the distillation process is tightly controlled, capturing only the ‘hearts’ of each batch – the sweet spot of any distillation – for our signature smooth delivery.
THE MERMAID BAR
Sample our collection and watch the stills in action from the comfort of The Mermaid Bar at the Isle of Wight Distillery. Situated on the outskirts of Ryde in picturesque countryside, enjoy a Mermaid and Tonic on the terrace or relax in comfort by the log fire with a cocktail or two. With delicious food and a superb cocktail menu, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
CURRENT SERVICE
We are open as a bar, restaurant and shop. We are unable to offer tours, due to the size of our facility. However, our still room can be viewed through a glass wall, Spirit Taster boards can be purchased from the shop and our knowledgeable staff will be happy to talk you through the distillation process and the stories behind our brands.
Opening Hours:
Sunday to Thursday 10am – 9pm
Friday and Saturday 10am – 11pm
Please call to make a reservation 01983 613653 or
email mermaidbar@isleofwightdistillery.com
GETTING TO US
From the Mainland
Take the Wightlink FastCat from Portsmouth Harbour Station to Ryde Pier or the Hovertravel hovercraft from Southsea to Ryde Esplanade.
When on the Island
Take the Southern Vectis route 8 bus from Ryde bus station (towards Newport) and get off at the Wishing Well stop.
Take a Taxi
Take a taxi from Ryde to Pondwell, PO33 1PX.
Ryde Taxi – 01983 811 11
Criss Cross Cabs – 01983 640 24
Ashey Taxis – 07506 779 944
BOTTLE
Our iconic bottle is made of 100% natural materials, is plastic-free, strong enough to be reused and a thing of beauty to be cherished…
SEAGRASS RESTORATION
In the Solent – the stretch of water between the Isle of Wight and mainland Britain – seagrass meadows spread across the ocean floor. These incredible plants sequester carbon at an astounding rate and shelter a wealth of wildlife, creating ecosystems beneath the waters. It’s estimated that 92% of these meadows have been lost over the last 100 years, damaged by pollution, human activity, reduced water quality, disease, and the effects of climate change. So we’re working with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to monitor and restore these meadows in the waters surrounding our island home.
OUR PARTNERS
HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT WILDLIFE TRUST
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust work to protect the wildlife and wild places outside our distillery door. We’ve partnered with the organisation as Wilder Champions, donating funds and assisting with seagrass restoration projects taking place in the Solent.
OUR PARTNERS
SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE
Started by a group of surfers, Surfers Against Sewage fights water pollution across the UK. They campaign and organise beach cleans, publish support on how to live a plastic-free lifestyle and raise awareness of the plastic pollution across our beautiful coastline. We are proud to be partners of SAS.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES
A TIMELINE
2019
We relaunched our new, plastic-free Mermaid bottle and were accredited as Plastic-Free by A Plastic Planet.
We worked with Viscore Closures to develop a pioneering tamper-proof seal. Over 10 million units have now been supplied to various spirit brands worldwide – a win for us, Viscose and the industry!
We removed plastic packing nuts from our site, swapping to an eco-friendly version made from natural starch.
We removed tape from our packaging, instead using metal staples.
2020
We made the decision to use ‘Who Gives a Crap‘ toilet paper across sites.
We were lucky enough to find a local company that collect excess cardboard to create horse bedding, they now collect excess cardboard twice weekly! Less waste, happy horses!
We won the ADI award for Best Eco-Packaging.
2021
A closed loop cooling system was installed, meaning we use less energy.
Energy contracts were transferred over, so we now use only 100% renewable energy companies.
Four car charging points were installed on our main site and two electric vehicles replaced petrol vehicles.
We made the decision to only buy plant-based and eco-friendly cleaning products, swapping to Ecover.
We requested suppliers of Point of Sale items, such as pin badges and bar blades, removed all plastic from packaging sent to us.
2022
We achieved B Corporation certification!
We moved our online courier to Royal Mail as they are taking action to become Net Zero by 2040.
We had moulds produced for a 10% reduction in glass weight.
Started using 100% recycled plastic pallet wrap.
Created our own carbon calculator to monitor our month-by-month footprint.
Supply Chain
During the last year, we have worked incredibly hard with our supply chain, auditing each supplier to ensure they are falling in line with 2050’s Net Zero target.
Each and every one of our suppliers are working with us to create sustainability strategies to help reduce the carbon footprint in the manufacturing industry.
By working with our supply chain, we can work towards a more sustainable industry for future generations.
THE FUTURE
We know we have a long way to go to reach our goal of becoming a net zero, energy-efficient business.
By 2025, we’re aiming to:
Eliminate plastic wrap on pallets dispatched.
Reduce the amount of paper we print.
Work with our courier companies to eliminate plastic mailbags & offer a carbon-neutral delivery service across the UK.
Relaunch an improved bottle refill scheme.
Reduce the volume of glass in our bottle.
Introduce energy-efficient stills.
Purchase an electric delivery van for our local deliveries.
Relaunch our HMS range in plastic-free packaging.
NET ZERO
We are on the road to becoming net zero. Working with Good Business, we calculated our carbon footprint to be 365 tonnes in 2019. To balance this, we invested in projects that actively protect the environment and that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an equivalent amount. We also set targets to reduce our footprint in all aspects of our supply chain and developed initiatives to achieve them. Read our offsetting report.
New governance, brought in during November 2021, encourages businesses to develop Sustainability Strategies based on clear, Science Based Targets (SBTi).
We plan to be Net Zero by 2030, by setting a near-term SBT aligning with the 1.5-degree pathway. We aim to do this by eliminating our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and reducing our Scope 3 emissions, offsetting where necessary. As always, we will be sharing our journey with you.
OUR PROMISE
We will play our part in achieving a global net-zero economy, working up and down our value chain to advocate for change.
We need our suppliers to move to renewable energy, and our distillery will move to renewable energy to power the stills and will capture waste, heat and other resources used in the process. Join us in helping make a positive impact on our environment and don’t stop holding us, and each other, accountable.
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