We love discovering alternative ideas for wedding favours and recently came across Exeter Gin.
This locally produced gin is the brainchild of Karen Skerratt – Karen is passionate about the area and really into traditional gin-making. Her inspiration was the Roman heritage of Exeter; with a massive Roman wall around the city and a wealth of history about Isca Dumnoniorum (as it was known circa 55AD), Karen felt this was something to celebrate.
So, Karen looked at the way the Romans used ingredients such as baked Valencia oranges (baked on a low heat then air dried for a week), tarragon, basil, cinnamon, cardamom and marigold, and created a unique gin, which was launched in August 2017. Exeter Gin, at 44%, offers an outstanding gin experience in a strikingly branded bottle with black wax.
Fast forward to 2018 and the launch of a second gin with quite a different backstory. Granny Garbutt’s Gin has its heritage in Karen’s gran, who was born on the Yorkshire moors and grew up in a farming family. Karen has foraged at Haldon to find gorse heather, and sourced wild honey from Dartmoor to find the perfect floral notes for this new gin.
Granny Garbutt’s Gin has a Tiffany coloured label and a waxed gold top, hinting at the luxury to be found within.
The great news for our wedding parties is that both gins are available as miniatures, making them perfect to give to adult guests as wedding favours. The miniatures come in a handy 50ml (5cl) size – this gives two shots, the perfect treat for your wedding guests when they get home! They are also perfect for cocktails:
Pink Granny
- 50ml Granny Garbutt’s Gin
- Lemon juice
- Grenadine
Exeter Martini
- 50ml Exeter Gin
- Dry Vermouth
- Twist Orange
- Olive
If you’re a real gin fan, keep your eye out for Karen’s 57% gins; Ivaar the Boneless (Viking strength) and Grandad’s Revenge (Navy strength) – Karen’s grandad was known to hide on his allotment when Granny Garbutt had been drinking…
