It’s one thing to create an original gin in your garage, it’s quite another for it be truly distinctive and multi-award winning ...
Like many people, Ben Maguire, founder of HMS Spirits, has always enjoyed a refreshing G&T. But he felt that there was a gap on the shelf and wanted to create something that combined traditional gin making values with a modern twist.
"There were loads of gins out there, but I wanted something that really appealed to people like me. Deep down I’m a bit of a stickler for tradition but as a young entrepreneur, I love trying out new things and seeing where that takes me,” said Ben.
So that’s what he did! One a completely non related trip to Hungary, he invested in a beautiful 35-litre copper still, shipped it back and installed it in his garage. Over the next few years, he spent every spare moment testing different recipes, blends and botanicals in search of the perfect mix – a gin that respected the art of the London Dry, but also delivered a fresh, unexpected twist.
The eureka moment arrived in early 2016 when the blend he was working on hit the spot with him and his friends, who were soon looking to try more. The recipe had been perfected but now he needed everything else, from selecting the right bottles and stoppers to designing labels and settling on a name. This was a labour of love in itself, because everything had to look and feel as distinctive as the gin itself tasted.