Last Thursday we had the privilege of attending the grand opening of The Distillery, a gin drinkers paradise in the heart of Portobello Road. A new four-floor mecca for the discerning drinker, the first of it’s kind in the UK, The Distillery is a completely unique concept that is home to a distillery, two bars, a museum, off-licenced shop, gin-making experience ‘The Ginstitute’, and three boutique guest rooms overlooking London’s bustling, iconic market street, Portobello Road. We were treated to an endless and blissful offering of delicious and carefully prepared cocktails and canapes.
‘Starting from the bottom’ on the ground floor of The Resting Room, we enjoyed a selection of unique cocktails. Heading up the tiled stairs to the first floor, we entered GinTonica, a Spanish-inspired bar & kitchen that celebrates the country’s passion for design, food and the gin & tonic! In true Mediterranean style, we enjoyed large plates of freshly cooked grilled spicy prawns, washed down with plenty of G&Ts in a traditional Copa De Balón (balloon goblet glass), choosing from a carefully curated menu of the world’s finest gins. Wine and canapés followed, including a selection of sweet treats such as mini chocolate cheesecakes, sticky toffee puddings and generous amounts of smooth Manchego cheeses.
Next to the top floor, we visited The Boardroom, a private dining room, complete with it’s own bar – and joined a spot of Sherry tasting from a vast selection. Taking me back to Sherry sipping in Jerez Spain, we had a good chat about the rising popularity in the UK of the fortified wine which hails from just one place in the world, a triangle formed by the three towns of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlucar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa Maria in Andalusia.
Thank you for a great eve, and looking forward to my next visit! The Distillery is now opened to the public. For more information, prices and latest news visit www.the-distillery.london.