The North Tanker Sheds 105, Bicester Heritage, Buckingham Rd, Launton, Bicester OX27 8AL, UK
Sky Wave Gin Fine Quality of Oxfordshire
Inspiration meets innovation
Sky Wave is the result of adventure-loving founders Rachel and Andrew’s pursuit of the perfect gin. Their global adventures have taken them to far flung destinations, thrill-seeking heights and underwater wonderlands. Throughout their travels, they have always sought out their favourite spirit: gin. Despite sampling a diverse and global range, their quest for the perfect gin remained incomplete.
During a stay by the sea, inspiration hit. If they couldn’t find the perfect gin, they would make it themselves. With a name inspired by the big skies and bold waves that have shaped their epic journeys and outdoor pursuits, the Sky Wave adventure began.
Following months of meticulous research, bespoke recipe designs and finessing distilling techniques, the first bottles were ready. Sky Wave is committed to creating small batch ultra-premium gins full of character. The result is a multi-award winning portfolio of gins; their original gin, Sky Wave Signature London Dry, was crowned The World’s Best Contemporary London Dry Gin at the World Gin Awards and was also awarded 2 stars by the Great Taste Awards.
It was selected for the highest possible, coveted MASTER category at the Gin Masters, alongside Double Gold, Gold and Silver international medals including a Silver award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The Spirit of Oxfordshire
Nestled in the heart of Rachel and Andrew’s beloved home county of Oxfordshire, Sky Wave was born from a commitment to craftsmanship. Renowned for its world class excellence in innovation and learning, while being home to beautiful English countryside, the pair are fiercely passionate about their gins embodying the Spirit of Oxfordshire®. Each sip of Sky Wave is a sensational exploration of botanical wonders, inspired by ingredients and tastes from all corners of the world.
Sky Wave gins combine quality produce, with globally sourced premium botanicals. Oxfordshire growers provide rhubarb and apples, while village hedgerows are foraged for blackberries. Complementing their local heritage, natural mineral water from Oxfordshire’s historic Blenheim Palace is used in every blend for a smooth balanced finish. Madagascan vanilla pods, Moroccan coriander and ginger from across Asia add to their gin’s international flavour palettes, while giving a firm nod to Rachel and Andrew’s passion for travel.
It’s these expertly crafted creative fusions that have taken the industry and gin lovers by storm. Every batch has its own unique story from the still to the shelf. Presented in stunning bottles inspired by a bygone era of elegance and adventure, which all include the signature of our Master Distiller, Sky Wave is a multi-award winning pioneer in world class craft gins.
Sky Wave Distillery Rachel
Award Winning Oxfordshire distillery, Sky Wave Gin, celebrates new experience space at Bicester Heritage location
Award winning Oxfordshire distillery, Sky Wave Gin, will open a new bar and visitor space to complement its current offering at its home in Bicester Heritage.
The new events space will soon offer a range of experiences, with gin and food pairings, tapas evenings and cocktail masterclasses on the cards for visitors to the North Tanker Sheds, home to Sky Wave.
The Bicester-based distillery scooped a gold and silver medal at the World Gin Awards earlier this year, and its Navy Strength Gin won one of only two Master medals in the world at the Spirits Business competition 2022. Sky Wave Gin has garnered a stellar total of 37 international medals since launching 3 years ago. The brand finished 2021 on a high, with the launch of the brand new bespoke Blenheim Palace Signature London Dry Gin, developed and distilled by Sky Wave Gin’s Master Distiller, Andy Parsons.
Bicester Heritage, part of the Bicester Motion umbrella brand, celebrates all aspects of motion, from historic motoring and racing, to aviation, EV and autonomous flight. Sky Wave’s owners Rachel Hicks and Andy Parsons, both avid lovers of adventure, fell in love with the history of the former RAF Bicester site, and decided that this was the ideal location from which to launch their range of gins.
Daniel Geoghegan, Chief Executive of Bicester Motion, comments: “It’s always incredibly fulfilling for us to see specialists that not only enjoy having Bicester Heritage as their home, but also upscale and continue to develop their business with us. We are looking forward to joining Sky Wave at their events later in the year.”
Rachel Hicks, Owner Sky Wave Gin, adds: “This is the next exciting step in the growth of Sky Wave Gin. We are often asked to host bespoke private and corporate events and our new space will allow us to broaden the range and number of these experiences. Our popular Distillery Visits, which are booking until the end of this year, will have a bigger home too. This is a great boost for the visitor economy in Oxfordshire and we thank OxLEP and Bicester Heritage for investing their confidence in us. We have more great plans in the pipeline!”
About Our Award Winning Gins
OUR GINS
It took over 6 months, more than 40 recipe variations, and over 300 expert testers to get to the smooth flavours you can now enjoy in Sky Wave’s award winning Signature London Dry Gin -–officially The World’s Best Contemporary London Dry Gin. We know you’ll love the result of our hard work.
We distil exactingly to the London Dry style using the ‘one shot’ method to create our multi-award winning signature gin. The perfect quantity of our 13 botanicals from around the world for each single batch are added directly to the wash, resulting in a fabulous, full-flavoured mouth feel. We add absolutely nothing afterwards except the finest Oxfordshire natural mineral water from Blenheim Palace, so that we can absolutely guarantee the flavours going in to your glass. It is distilled gently in very small batches, only a few hundred bottles at a time. This allows us to manage the flavour precisely and results in a remarkably smooth gin.
Description
Kristiane Sherry, Spirits Expert at Master of Malt, said of this gin, “This is gorgeous! It is a beautiful dry gin with sweetness from the spices. It’s a playful gin, beautifully balanced. It’s really, really lovely.”
With juniper constantly present, the flavour starts with a citrus burst. After a long, smooth, slightly sweet middle which you’ll want to savour, you are left with a wonderfully lingering, subtly spicy finish.
The 700ml size has a back label with tasting notes and with the distiller’s name handwritten. The 200ml size has a back label with an abridged version of the tasting notes. ABV is 42%.
OUR APPROACH
We distil exactingly to the London Dry style using the ‘one shot’ method, in a modern take on a traditional pot still, to create our multi-award winning signature gin. Unlike 98% of gin distilled across the world, we never use the concentrate method for our London Dry gins.
The perfect quantity of botanicals for each single batch are added directly to the wash, resulting in a fabulous, full-flavoured mouth feel. We add absolutely nothing afterwards except the finest Oxfordshire natural mineral water from Blenheim Palace, so that we can absolutely guarantee the flavours going in to your glass.
The signature gin we have created for you is genuinely made by hand by either Rachel or Andy; your bottle will indicate who was that day’s distiller. It is distilled gently in ultra-micro batches, a handful of bottles at a time.
This allows us to manage the flavour precisely and results in a remarkably smooth gin. We cut the ‘hearts’ by taste, not by machine or alcoholic content, so you know that you will always get a genuinely craft yet consistent product. (For those who aren’t sure what we mean, the ‘hearts’ of the distillation are the lovely part of the spirit run with all the flavours of the botanicals, without any of the bitterness that comes towards the end of the run in the ‘tails’.)
TASTING NOTES
The first thing you’ll notice about Sky Wave’s Signature London Dry Gin is its fabulous zingy aroma, just as a gin should be – no overwhelming alcohol smell, but a mysterious and evocative mixture of our 13 botanicals from around the world.
On tasting, it bursts with a delicate crisp, citrusy flavour, followed by a long smooth juniper led body, ending with quite an intense warm and spicy finish, making it very moreish and unusual.
Kristiane Sherry, Spirits Expert at Master of Malt, said of this gin, “This is gorgeous! It is a beautiful dry gin with sweetness from the spices. It’s a playful gin, beautifully balanced. It’s really, really lovely.”
BOTANICALS
We lovingly combine 13 different botanicals from juniper and orris root, through grapefruit and orange, to cardamom and coriander to create this highly individual gin, for the true gin connoisseur.
PERFECT SERVE
Mix one part Sky Wave Gin with two parts tonic. We advise a neutral and not too sweet tonic, such as our partners, Merchant’s Heart. Garnish with a slice of ruby grapefruit and juniper berries.
Signature London Dry Gin – The World’s Best Contemporary Gin
Our original and signature product, the fabulously smooth Sky Wave London Dry Gin, in our luxuriously elegant bespoke bottle. This Great Taste Awards 2-Star gin was crowned The World’s Best Contemporary London Dry Gin at the World Gin Awards. Amongst very many other awards, this stunning gin was also selected for the highest possible, highly coveted MASTER category at the Gin Masters, various Gold and Double Gold medals, and a Silver at the highly prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition – so many highest level international awards for this simply sublime gin are testament to just how fabulous it is.
Sky Wave Old Tom Gin
“Sky Wave Old Tom Gin has been awarded as a Winner in the Old Tom Gin category of The Gin Guide Awards 2024. The Judges were impressed by the light and citrusy aroma, the balance of sweetness with drier notes and citrus, and the full-bodied mouthfeel. Individual Judge’s comments included describing Sky Wave Old Tom Gin as ‘coating the tongue pleasingly with a honeyed sweetness’ and having ‘a lovely combination and balance of flavours’, supporting the gin’s score being in the ‘Exceptional’ score range.”
– The Gin Guide Awards 2024Old Tom is a very old style of English gin, dating back to the 17th Century. Production techniques and ingredients were often very poor, resulting in a rough-tasting drink. It was therefore sweetened slightly, and sometimes lightly spiced, to make it palatable, as it would usually have been drunk neat. This often resulted in a spirit that was no longer clear. Sky Wave has been faithful to this style, creating an exquisitely crafted historic gin brought up to date for the discerning 21st century drinker. Available in 700ml bottles only, 41%ABV.
Sky Wave Zero – Alcohol-Free Distilled Spirit
“We know that there are times when you want to enjoy the experience of drinking a gin and tonic but you don’t want the alcohol. I worked hard to create a great tasting, premium alcohol free alternative to sit alongside our existing range. I selected high quality ingredients including three citruses and fresh ginger to create a journey through zesty bursts with hints of savoury and sweetness culminating in a twist of warmth.”
– Sky Wave Master Distiller, Andrew Parsons Introducing our new adventure, Sky Wave Zero, an alcohol-free spirit distilled with the same innovation and passion you’ve come to expect from the premium spirits of the Sky Wave Gin range. This distilled botanical expression is the perfect alcohol-free alternative to a gin with a tonic. It offers a deliciously intriguing drink to be enjoyed at any time of day. Available in 700ml bottles only, 0%ABV.
Sky Wave Raspberry & Rhubarb Gin
WE ARE OFFERING a whopping £6 saving on 700ml bottles until 31 March 2024. That’s Valentines Day and Mother’s Day covered! Buy now!Sky Wave’s Raspberry and Rhubarb Gin is perfect for a lighter, fruitier gin and tonic. Hand crafted with home grown Oxfordshire rhubarb and ripe raspberries, it delivers a fruity burst which is full of flavour while being fresh and light. It retains the complexity of the signature Sky Wave Gin, while adding a delicate overtone of summer fruits.
No colouring or sugars are added making this the perfect gin and tonic for gin lovers looking for something a little different; or why not try it topped up with your favourite Prosecco for a real treat? That amazing colour really is all natural. This genuine gin (at 42%ABV) is just fabulous!
Sky Wave Orange and Madagascan Vanilla Gin
Sky Wave’s brand new Orange and Madagascan Vanilla Gin is a delicious cutting edge expression crafted over the course of an entire year by Sky Wave Gin’s Master Distiller, Andrew Parsons. This exquisite, subtle spirit was the highest scoring orange gin in the world at the 2021 International Wine and Spirits Competition.
Created with fresh oranges, never flavourings or essences, the zest and orange segments are steeped in our Signature London Dry before being crushed to extract their fabulous, alcohol imbued juice. It is this fruit juice which brings just a touch of natural sweetness to the gin, as no sugar or artificial sweeteners are added. Drinkers will perceive the warm, creamy hint of finest Madagascan vanilla, sourced directly from the growers.
Liberation London Dry Gin
“Sky Wave Liberation London Dry Gin has been awarded as a Winner in the Contemporary Gin category of The Gin Guide Awards 2024. The Judges were impressed by the inviting aromas, the balance and complexity of classic and citrus flavours, and the serving with Tonic Water. Individual Judge’s comments included describing the Gin as having an ‘excellent combination of flavours on the palate’ and a ‘lovely, inviting nose’, supporting the gin’s score being in the ‘Exceptional’ score range.”
– The Gin Guide Awards 2024“Great juniper nose with angelica, and subtle citrus and herbs. Rich citrus and juniper flavours with a sweet cardamom note. Nicely balanced with good complexity.”
– The World Gin Awards 2022 Judging Panel on awarding a GOLD medal. Sky Wave Liberation London Dry Gin is a smooth, soft, perfectly balanced gin at 42%ABV, created from 9 botanicals which reflect the nature growing around us in Lockdown, including raspberries and lemon verbena. Amongst its many medals, this outstanding gin was awarded a highly coveted Gold at the 2022 World Gin Awards.
Sky Wave Navy Strength London Dry Gin – The Gin Master
“Sky Wave Navy Strength Gin has been awarded as a Winner in the High ABV Gin category of The Gin Guide Awards 2024. The Judges were impressed by the balance of prominent juniper, citrus and spice, the depth and length of the finish, and the serving with Tonic Water. Individual Judge’s comments included describing Sky Wave Navy Strength Gin as being ‘balanced, fresh and clean, leaving the palate wanting more’ and making ‘a beautifully balanced G&T’, supporting the gin’s score being in the ‘Exceptional’ score range.”
– The Gin Guide Awards 2024This is the award-winning Navy Strength version of Sky Wave Gin – same great smooth taste, but bottled at 57% ABV. It is so good it scooped the much-coveted
MASTER distinction, the highest award, not once but twice at the International Gin Masters, and a silver medal at the 2022 World Gin Awards – as well as many others. The increased alcohol really brings out the berry and citrus content, so you get a very slightly sweeter hit before the subtle spices kick in for that famous lingering finish.
Sky Wave Spiced Apple Gin Liqueur
Originally Sky Wave Gin’s Winter Edition, our Spiced Apple Gin Liqueur has now become one of our most versatile offerings. We have taken fabulous Sky Wave Gin, and added Oxfordshire apples plus selected spices, to create this fabulous expression. In the Autumn and Winter, sipped neat, it’s a deliciously warming, fruity liqueur. But in the Summer it works incredibly well with ice and ginger ale for a long, refreshing drink.
OUR STILLS
It’s traditional to name gin stills, and all our stills are named after our dogs, past and present – Basca, Tessie and Tilly.
Our main production still is a fabulous copper still, named Basca after our Master Distiller’s faithful staffie-lab cross, which was by his side throughout most of his military career.
He is a 200L kettle with an onion dome and column. We don’t agree with reflux plates and sight glasses (the columns with lots of little round windows you often see on gin stills) – we believe these strip flavour, not add to it – and indeed most distilleries bypass this column when producing gin, although they won’t tell you that! We designed our still specifically to replicate Tessie on a larger scale, with the wonderful team at The Craft Distilling Business.
We use Basca for most of our own brand gins, and for our bespoke gins for our prestigious clients. He will produce about 500 bottles per run.
Our small production still is 50 litres and also has a traditional copper column. This was our first full size production still, and was made in America. She’s called ‘Tessie’ after our beloved springer spaniel whom we lost in 2017 aged 13. Tessie is is used for our smaller runs and will produce about 100 bottles at a time.
Last but certainly not least is our first ever still, Tilly. She was actually our production still for the first few months after we launched, but as she only produces 2 bottles at a time she was quite demanding! She is a 2 litre traditional copper alembic still made in Portugal, a design which is potentially thousands of years old but which works wonderfully for distilling gin. Because it’s a much smaller still, we have named it ’Tilly’ after our lovely springer spaniel, who was a puppy at the time. She is now used for product development.
Distillery Experience & Gin Tasting in Oxfordshire 2024
£25 per person | 1hr 15 mins | Bicester, Oxfordshire
Immerse yourself in Gin Heaven at our boutique distillery, the Home of the World’s Best Contemporary Gin. Hear the stories and drink award winning gin at the only distillery based on a former WW2 RAF base, now the beautiful Bicester Heritage, home of historic motoring.
The Sky Wave Distillery Experience is perfect for gin lovers so indulge yourself, your friends and family or give the gift of gin with our Distillery Gift Vouchers.
Location: Bicester Heritage OX27 8AL
By Train: 5 min taxi ride from Bicester North, 10 min from Bicester Village
Sky Wave Distillery Experience & Gin Tasting 2024
“The experience was great from start to finish, I can highly recommend it.”
Includes: 4 Gin and Tonics, tutored tasting, all things Sky Wave and 10% saving on purchases on the day*
Duration: 75 minutes
Dates and Times:
- Fridays 4pm – 5.15pm
- Saturdays 12.30pm – 1.45pm and 4.00pm – 5.15pm
- Occasional Sundays 3.00pm – 4.30pm (check dates below)
Cost: £25 per person
Rated “5 out of 5” on Trip Advisor and “5 Stars – Excellent” on Trust Pilot
Location: Bicester Heritage, Bicester OX27 8AL
By Train: Bicester North or Bicester Village (5 min or 10 min taxi ride respectively)
Accessibility: We take accessibility very seriously at Sky Wave, for all visitors to our Distillery Experiences, bar and shop. For more information, click here.
Join us for gin and stories!
Sky Wave HQ, the Home of the World’s Best Contemporary Gin, is now open on Fridays and Saturdays, and the occasional Sunday, for an intimate behind the scenes experience. Join us at our boutique distillery where your hosts will guide you through the Sky Wave story, how our award winning gins are created culminating in a tutored gin tasting. It’s gin heaven as we include 4 complimentary G&Ts. Perfect for friends, partners, birthdays, celebrations or gift a Distillery Experience Voucher.
Come and immerse yourself in The Spirit of Oxfordshire.
Table of Contents
