High spirits as Heddon gin firm launches

The gin, which is distilled to a 100-year-old recipe and blended with Northumberland spring water and locally-sourced hedgerow botanicals, is the culmination of a decade of hard work for Northumbria Spirit founders Andy Haddon, Jim Golightly and John Boyle.

The trio was inspired by the story of Jack Cain, a 19th-century Northumberland maverick and moonshine maker.

Mired in the shady world of smuggling, Jack acquired a still and settled in the Tyne valley. There, he supplied the thirsty workers of the industrial revolution with strong liquors.

But Jack's fortunes took a turn for the worse when the body of local man Doctor Stirling was found near the illicit still on the banks of the Tyne.

He was tried for the murder, and despite being acquitted, fled to Australia.

Andy said: "We read about Jack's story and it struck a chord with us. We wanted to make a drink that celebrated Northumbrian characters like Jack.

"We want to reintroduce the tradition of spirit-making to Northumbria and to give people the chance to source their drinks locally.

"We already had the gin recipe, which is over a hundred years old, and belonged to Jim's great grandfather."

Co-founders Jim and John have plenty of drink-making pedigree, with Jim's family producing sloe gin on their farm a century ago.

John won prizes for his "Jeddah Gin", distilled in Saudi Arabia, and also established the Wylam Brewery which brews beers, ales and ciders.

Northumbria Spirit officially launched Jack Cain's gins at Wylam Fair last weekend when they served it out with Fentiman's tonic.

They are producing three gin varieties - elderflower, damson and sloe - from their farm in Heddon-on-the-Wall.

Andy said: "Our gin has got a distinctive taste, thanks to the elderflowers. It is the infusions we use which make our gins special.

"It can be drunk straight, but it is a softer gin and is particularly suited to tonics, or cocktails. It is a premium quality drink."

The group hopes to produce new flavours of gin for the autumn and are currently experimenting with hops, gooseberries and rosehips. They also aim to branch out into whiskies.

Andy said: "We are producing Jack Cain's Gins for people who realise life is not just about following rules

"People who have the courage to take an unconventional path and retain that spirit of independent thought throughout their life."

For more information, or to order, visit www.northumbriaspirit.co.uk.