Our spirit is your spirit
It starts with our location. We craft ‘True River Spirit’ on the banks of the world famous River Test, in the heart of the English countryside in Hampshire.
The river is internationally renowned for its fly fishing and ‘gin-clear waters' and it is this backdrop that provides the inspiration behind The River Test Distillery.
We wanted to make an outstanding gin, a gin which both complements a premium tonic and is distinctive enough to be enjoyed neat, as a sipping gin, simply with ice.
Our gin is the spirit of the river and its botanicals in a bottle, which in itself tells our story.
How we create and distill
In 2017 we enrolled on a distilling course in Sunderland and joined other enthusiasts from all over the world, with a wide variety of backgrounds, who were keen to explore all the challenges of producing spirits and opening a distillery. Experience ranged from individuals with 25 years in the drinks industry to people like us, with little knowledge but a lot of passion.
It was on this course that we heard about a Dutch company called iStill that was innovating the process of distillation and bringing it into the 21st Century. Intrigued, we then enrolled on the iStill University course and travelled to Woerden near Amsterdam in The Netherlands, to meet Odin and the team and learn more about iStill.
The iStill is a perfect fit for us and the versatility of the iStill allows us to create different products. The automation and robotisation gives us complete control over the spirits’ production process which means we can create the same handcrafted recipes time after time.
Handcrafted
Every stage of our production is done by us. From our recipe to the bottling of our gin.
French 75
River Test Gin, champagne, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup
Riverside Botanicals
Angelica seen growing prolifically on the river bank. One of our 13 botanicals.
CRANBERRY GIN FIZZ
River Test Gin, cranberry juice, orange juice, Indian tonic and fresh thyme
The River Bank
We take inspiration for our spirits from some of the botanicals found along the river bank.
The Harvest
Our meadowsweet harvest is handpicked in a short 2-week window in July/August.
True River Spirit
Inspired by nature.
DRY MARTINI
River Test Gin, dry vermouth and a lemon twist garnish
The River Test
Perhaps our most important ingredient. Water. We take our pure, chalk-filtered water from the aquifer that feeds into the river.
World renowned fly fishing
The mayfly season heralds the start of Summer and is a busy time in the fishing calendar and at our distillery.
True RiveR Spirit
Inspired by nature.
Distilled on the banks of the River Test in Hampshire, England
Our award-winning gin is a classic London Dry Gin with gently honeyed, floral notes and infused with handpicked meadowsweet flowers.
It is distilled in small batches and crafted using pure chalk-filtered water, which comes from the aquifer that feeds into the river, creating an exceptionally smooth gin.
“Very easy to sip. Delightful.” (Judges’ notes, The Spirits Business Awards 2020)
Serve with premium Indian tonic, a slice of lime and lots of ice.
Our special edition Chalkstream Gold Gin is distilled with Maris Otter barley which is grown in the fields bordering the distillery.
Chalkstream Gold Gin has a superbly smooth mouthfeel. Juniper takes centre stage, complemented by the subtle sweetness and unique flavours of Maris Otter barley. Bay and rosemary add a touch of complexity to the bright and botanical blend.
As featured by Craft Gin Club, Gin of the Month, March 2021.
“Perfection in a bottle.” (Craft Gin Club member’s comment)
Serve with premium Indian tonic, a slice of pink grapefruit and lots of ice.
Our Sunset Citrus Gin is inspired by the beautiful ruby red sunsets over the gin-clear waters of the River Test. We have brought together the zesty citrus flavours of pink grapefruit and pomelo with the subtle sweetness of rosehip to create a uniquely refreshing gin and tonic.
“A truly beautiful expression with an exceptionally lively nose, full-bodied and well-rounded layers of fresh grapefruit and pomelo burst from the bottle. These flavours stay centre-stage across the palate and are supported by a light touch of juniper as the expression opens up fully. Rosehip intermingles with the bright citrus to leave a silky sweetness across the finish. Exceptional.”
(Peter Downes, Senior Spirits Partnership Executive, Craft Gin Club)
Serve with premium Indian tonic, a slice of pink grapefruit or blood orange and lots of ice.
Our special edition Spiced Rum is distilled with riverside botanicals and Caribbean spirit. The result is an English-inspired, smooth Spiced Rum.
“With soft brown sugar sweetness, touches of citrus and a base of spice and smooth meadowsweet, this rum is perfect for sipping on the rocks, served with ginger ale or in a rum cocktail.”
(Graham McAteer, Spirits Partnerships Lead, Craft Gin Club)
As featured by Craft Gin Club as Rum of the Month, July 2024.
“My husband loves rum and says this is one of the best rums he has tasted in years. Another bottle on its way to me!”
“Fantastic rum. My favourite so far! Love the aroma, love the taste.”
(Craft Gin Club members’ comments)