![\"Hayman](\"http:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Hayman-gand-t-web.jpg\")
Balham isn\u2019t the first neighbourhood in which one might think to find a distillery. But here it is on a small industrial estate, and looking thoroughly contemporary with white walls and crisp painted logo. The first impression is of, perhaps, a drinks warehouse, but this building houses heritage, history and a distilling revival. This is Hayman’s!<\/p>\n
Hayman\u2019s is a family company dating back to 1863 when James Burrough, the great-grandfather of Christopher Hayman, the present owner, purchased a gin-rectifying company in London. Christopher joined James Burrough Limited in 1969 and was responsible for the distillation and production of Beefeater until 1987.<\/p>\n
Although James Burrough Limited was sold to Whitbread in that year, the family retained part of the business and Hayman Distillers continues as an independent company. And now another generation has joined: James and Miranda Hayman are the fifth generation to follow the family tradition. This is the longest-serving gin-distilling family in England.<\/p>\n
Hayman\u2019s stick to tried and tested processes. They use copper stills, known to produce the finest spirits. The main still is called Marjorie after Christopher\u2019s mother, who was the granddaughter of James Burrough. She was the person who introduced Christopher to the family business and the gin trade.<\/p>\n
Distillery tours are available at Hayman\u2019s and ours was led by Distiller Sam Pembridge, who did a grand job of informing and engaging with an enthusiastic audience. This isn\u2019t a tour for those who just want to drink to excess, although guests are welcomed with a reviving G & T on arrival. That cocktail was garnished by the Hayman\u2019s trademark branded lemon peel. No, the peel isn\u2019t a brand \u2013 it is actually branded with an iron!<\/p>\n
![\"Hayman](\"http:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Haymans-T-shirt-web.jpg\")
We were introduced to the botanicals which could be used to flavour gin, with the essential one being the ubiquitous juniper berry, along with liquorice, citrus and spices. Sam described the distilling process, and the group was particularly interested in the aforementioned bright copper stills. And then it was on to the eagerly anticipated tasting.<\/p>\n
The group enjoyed a masterclass of gin history, manufacture and flavour. \u2018Old Tom\u2019 was the first sample, followed by London Dry Gin and Sloe Gin. All were delicious and individual, but that Old Tom was exceptional, with plenty of character.<\/p>\n
This gin is said to have encouraged the cocktail boom of the late 1800s. It\u2019s a historic gin and possibly made more popular by the stories that have been woven around it over the centuries. Was it first distilled by a pensioner called Tom? Was a dead tom-cat discovered at the bottom of a gin barrel?<\/p>\n
The name Old Tom Gin more likely came from wooden plaques shaped like a black cat (an \u201cOld Tom\u201d) mounted on the outside wall of some pubs in 18th-century England. Owing to the riotous Gin Craze (illustrated by Hogarth with his \u2018Gin Lane\u2019 etching), the government tried to reduce the availability of gin with prohibitive taxes and licensing. This had the usual effect of driving the trade underground. Beneath the cat’s paw was a lead tube and a drawer to put money in. From the tube would come a shot of gin, poured by the bartender inside the pub.<\/p>\n
Old Tom Gin was made by a variety of distillers, but it fell out of fashion. Hayman’s distillery has relaunched Old Tom based on an original family recipe from the 1870s \u2026minus the feline ingredient. A botanically full and flavourful gin, with a marked sweetness, this style of Old Tom gin was used in the classic gin cocktails such as the Martinez and the Tom Collins, during the first cocktail rage of the 1880s.<\/p>\n
![\"Haymans](\"http:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/haymans-still-web.jpg\")
\u00a320 per person<\/p>\n
Book onto the Hayman\u2019s Distillery Tour for a behind-the-scenes look into how they make True English Gin.<\/p>\n
Each tour lasts 90 minutes and includes:<\/p>\n
A welcome English Gin and Tonic.
\nA tutored tasting of a range of Hayman\u2019s True English Gins.
\nA guided tour of the working distillery, and introduction to how they make their range of Gins.
\n\u00a35 off the first 70cl bottle of Hayman\u2019s Gin that you buy in the distillery shop.<\/p>\n
Additional information:
\nDoors will open 15 minutes before the tour start time.
\nYou must be aged 18 or over to attend distillery tours.<\/p>\n
Hayman\u2019s offer bespoke private and corporate tours.<\/p>\n
Hayman\u2019s Distillery
\n8a Weir Road
\nLondon
\nSW12 0NA<\/p>\n
Email: distillers@hayman.co.uk<\/p>\n