Jess Tomlinson's thirst for an unusual career landed her the role of the UK's youngest female head distiller at the age of 25 in 2014.

Today, Jess, now 28 and still working at craft distiller Durham Distillery, has launched another unique gin recipe with a Strawberry and Pink Pepper liqueur.

“There is nothing I won't have a go at making – it's a combination of two things I love, chemistry and creative art, with an end product you can consume. I think this is why I love creating gin!” says Jess, the mastermind behind a range of quality spirits launched by Durham Distillery.

Jess prides herself on the traditional process the distillery uses and describes her favourite aspect of the job as watching the first drips of gin pour off the still in the morning. Utilising a 400 litre copper pot called Lily, this method has long been used to create the highest quality gin while ensuring the preservation of its botanical ingredients. And named after owner Jon Chadwick's first born, it keeps up with the age-old tradition followed by distillers across the world.

Starting her journey from a five year Masters in Chemistry Jess quickly moved onto a one year Masters in Brewing and Distilling, landing herself a job in a lab along the way.

In 2014 she joined the team at Durham Distillery, making her a stand-out figure for UK statistics.
And what better time for a new figurehead in the Gin-dustry than now? The Office of National Statistics have recently claimed that Brit's are drinking so much gin that it now belongs in the calculations towards a 'typical weekly shop'*. 

“I love designing and producing new product lines – our vodka and most recently our Strawberry and Pink Pepper Liqueur were both my creations. The amazing feedback we get from customers is a massive motivator for me, it's great to hear people love what we make!” she says.

With a real thirst for everything spirit based, Jess recommends trying gin neat to totally appreciate the blend of flavours. And if you have to mix it, make it a quality tonic!

And as for her future plans?

“I see myself continuing to make great gin and vodka. Durham Distillery is all about educating and exciting customers and working with local organisations. We want to build on being a great place local people want to work and I've got so many exciting recipes to create and share, I feel I'm only just beginning.”

Looks like it's time to up the ante Jess! You are truly a gin-spiration.

*https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/dvc399/shorthand/index.html

The range

Durham Strawberry and Pink Pepper Liqueur

Durham Gin, fresh pressed strawberry juice and pink pepper combined have resulted in this deliciously fruity and warm liqueur. Great served with Prosecco, your favourite mixer or simply over ice. Available in 70cl bottles from £20, 20% ABV.

Durham Gin

Made to a unique recipe of botanicals including juniper, celery seed and pink peppercorns, this handmade gin is available in 70cl from £27.50 and 20cl from £10, 40% ABV.

Durham Vodka

The vodka is triple distilled and slow filtered in small batches, available in 70cl from £27.50 and 20cl from £10, 40% ABV.

The Durham Distillery Way…

Durham Gin

Firstly, juniper berries are hand crushed and added to other robust botanicals, including angelica and pink peppercorn. This combination is placed into a mixture of locally sourced spring water and pure grain spirit and left to infuse, or macerate overnight in the still. The next morning a second batch of botanicals is added and the still heated, making vapours rise through a copper tube called a lyne arm. Mounted on the lyne arm is the gin basket which contains the third and final set of lighter, more delicate botanicals.

Its distinctive flavours...

Spicy - the pink peppercorn creates a warm spicy top note

Savoury - celery seed adds a distinctive savoury character

Sweet - finishing with the light floral sweetness of elderflower

Durham Vodka

The tails of the gin are gathered and slowly filtered through a custom built filtration column, based on the Lincoln County column used by Jack Daniels. It takes up to two weeks to filter and once complete the lyne arm of the still is changed over, and the filtrate redistilled. Another round of distilling takes place as required to ensure the finished article is perfect. The result of all of this process? A few hundred bottles of smooth, clean vodka a month.

Durham Gin, Durham Vodka and the Strawberry and Pink Pepper Liqueur are stocked in Majestic Wines nationally, numerous shops, bars and independents across northern and southern England, and can be purchased directly on the website with P&P only £5 per bottle, or spend more than £100 and P&P is free at https://durhamdistillery.co.uk/shop/

ENDS

For further media information please contact Rebekha White or Lynne Kelly at Approach on 01943 603805 or email rebekha@approachpr.com / lynne@approachpr.com

Notes to editors:

Durham Distillery is part of Durham Gin Ltd, and was founded in February 2013. Originally solely producing gin, they branched out into vodka and liqueurs in 2014. Unwilling to compromise on quality, they oversee every aspect of production in-house, amongst a team of six people in total. To find out more take a look at www.durhamdistillery.co.uk