Aval Dor Cornish Dry Gin

I had come across Colwith Farm Distillery from Lanlivery in Cornwall before when I bought a bottle of their collaborative effort, Smuggled From Cornwall, and I will not repeat their backstory, interesting as it is, just follow the link. However, in late 2020 their own product line of gins and vodkas have undergone a rebrand and, confusingly, are marketed under a new name. Styled as Cornwall’s first plough to bottle distillery, its gins and vodkas use the potatoes sown and grown on the farm as their base, it is no surprise to learn that the name that they have chosen for their brand is Cornish for “potato”. For emmets like me it sounds stylish with a touch of Cornish mysticism. If you have your own language, use it I say!

Their Dry was originally sold as Stafford’s Dry Gin. The revamp of the bottle is seriously impressive and eye-catching. Made with frosted glass, it is circular in shape with rounded shoulders and a medium sized neck which leads to a black cap and a cork stopper. There is a very artistic and flourishing monogram on the upper part of the bottle and then the name of the spirit in black capitals. A black band about a third of the way up the bottle gives the distillery’s name in white using a mix of copperplate and capitals and an emerald green colour is used to denote “Dry Gin”. Towards the bottom there is the Cornish crest and either side the size of the bottle, 70cl, and the strength, 42% ABV. The whole effect is striking in its minimalism.

At the rear of the bottle the labelling tells me that it is “made from scratch on the family farm…[and that it] offers the best in authenticity, provenance and environmental sustainability”. Further down, in smaller white lettering against a black background, the label informs me that their “classic London Dry style gin has been crafted to make the perfect G&T…a selection of the finest botanicals are distilled into [their] award winning vodka in [their] handmade copper pot stills. Juniper, coriander, vapour infused citrus peel and fresh fruit up front, give way to exotic spices, finishing dry and bitter”. My mouth was salivating as I read this.   

Often I find that the enthusiasm of the marketeer for their product does not quite match the reality of the drinking experience, but, fear not, this is a wonderful gin which louches with the addition of a premium tonic, full of vibrant citric notes, slightly nutty and spicy but one that allows the juniper space to play. It was moreish and even with a relatively punchy strength is one where a second glass is hard to resist.   

A wonderfully crafted gin in an impressive and thoughtfully designed bottle, what more can one ask for?

Until the next time, cheers!