Description
Park Place Drinks Ltd is a privately owned company, which was set up in November 2008 by Martin Price, and is run together with his wife, Sue, out of their home in Scotland. Says Martin, ‘When we worked in the spirits industry, it seemed obvious to us that there was an opportunity to develop good, honest and reasonably priced sprits that tasted great, were made with a craftsman’s passion out of classic high quality ingredients, and were fit for purpose. For example, to be a great gin, it has to mix well with tonic – full stop. Everything else is a bonus. Vodka has to be pure and smooth. Simple things, that many producers seem to have forgotten about in their search for a ‘marketing edge’. In 2008 Martin and Sue left the corporate world, returning to Scotland from Germany where they had been working. This was the time to turn the dream into reality, so the couple decided to plough their own savings into the business, and Park Place Drinks was born! Now, the vision is reality, and SW4 London Dry Gin is distilled at Thames Distillers in Clapham in south London. Thames is now the only Gin Distillery which both distils and bottles gin in London, so SW4 is truly a London Dry Gin. Thames Distillers is a small distillery, in an unfashionable backwater of Clapham, where it borders Stockwell. However, it is perfect for Park Place Drinks, as it makes some of the best gin available today. Martin chose to develop his spirits with Charles Maxwell, Master Distiller at Thames, because of their unrivalled experience in Gin distilling in London; Charles’ forebear George Bishop first established a Gin Distillery in London in the 1700’s having completed his apprenticeship to the Worshipful Company of Distillers, and his family have been active in the trade ever since.
SW4 London Dry Gin
Drinkshop Tasting Note
“SW4 London Distilled Gin, is a big and complex gin made in the style of the original London Dry Gins of the mid to late 19th Century. It has 12 botanicals in its recipe, with Juniper being heavily predominant, but then behind it come the citrus and spice notes, from botanicals such as lemon peel and cassia, which give it the fullness and complexity. The whole is then brought together by the Orris Powder.” Charles Maxwell, November 2009
Whisky Exchange Tasting Note
Distilled and bottled in Clapham, London, SW4 is a London Dry Gin designed to go well with tonic. Heavy on the juniper and backed up with traditional botanicals, this is a solid entry in the increasingly busy gin market.
Juniper Tasting Note
SW4 is a small-batch London Dry gin that is created in batches of about 500 litres in the smaller stills of Thames Distillers in Clapham. The main still used is call “Tom Thumb” which sits next to his sister “Thumbelina” – very cute.
Oddbins Tasting Note
London Dry Gin does not necessarily have to be made in London, but this gently spicy, soft gin is very, very London-based; the Master Distiller works his magic and makes all the gin in Clapham (SW4). Alter Ego: Vivienne Westwood; a proud SW4 resident, its strident style and bold, spicy streak make it very London and very unique.
Awards
90-WIne Enthusiast
IWSC Bronze 2010
IWSC Silver 2011
IWSC Silver 2012
