Saturday, 22 August 2020

Dockyard Gin - Copper Rivet Distillery

Don’t you just hate it when you have an image planned in your head for a gin product shot.... and then when it comes to shooting it, things just totally don’t turn out the way you envisioned. No? Just me? Yeah.... anyhoo.... such was this particular shoot my friends. 

Copper Rivet Distillery were lovely enough to get in touch and offered to send over a bottle of their Dockyard Gin for me to try... now I had heard wonderful things about this gin so I was thrilled to be able to try it out for myself. When it arrived, it just so happened that my car had just started playing silly buggers, and is currently in the garage having it’s gearbox ripped apart and rebuilt... so basically, travelling to take a picture was well and truly off the table! 

Frustratingly, when the opportunity then finally arose for me to scrounge a lift to the seafront (a good 30 mins from my house) it just so happened to be the gloomiest day in weeks, and had ludicrously high winds and patchy rain... go figure! 

Nevertheless I was determined to get the shot, so braving a minor hurricane, and actually getting my jumper caught in a lobster trap (don’t ask)... I persevered! In the end, not quite the pictures I was aiming for... but hey ho. 

Anyway, enough rambling, let’s get down to the good stuff, the gin! 

Distilled at Copper Rivet Distillery, Dockyard Gin is a true grain-to-glass production meaning that the base spirit is made by themselves rather than buying it in. This spirit is produced using local grain so that quality can be ensured... not only this but you can actually find out EXACTLY where the grain in your bottle has come from by entering the code on your bottle here

Speaking of the bottle... I couldn’t do a write up of this gin without mentioning the detail which has gone into the design. From the copper coloured cap as a nod to the distillery name, to the flags outlined at the bottom of the bottle, spelling out the words Dock Yard. The details are truly lovely and the bottle itself feels and looks beautiful, with its curved edges and slim shape. This is certainly a lovely bottle to have on the gin-shelf. 

I’ll be frank, at the time of writing this I have only tasted this gin neat... I am thoroughly looking forward to tasting it with tonic once I have raided the supermarket for suitable garnishes... to be perfectly honest, I couldn’t wait to try it. Sorry not sorry. 

A GORGEOUS medley of juniper, citrus and spice envelopes your mouth ... giving a beautiful warmth which plays off the citrus with neither overpowering the other. This gin could quite easily be drunk neat, although the distillery recommend it paired with a good quality tonic and a slice of pink grapefruit, which I’m very much looking forward to sampling. I’m sure you’ll be seeing this one pop up on my feed fairly frequently! 


Thanks again to Copper Rivet Distillery for sending this Gin over. This is a gifted item but all views are entirely my own. 






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Sunday, 9 August 2020

Stir Crazy Drinks

So last night, (as you'll know if you read my insta feed) I was living the rock and roll dream and staying well and truly in on a Saturday evening. This, in part, being down to Covid, but also my car is in the garage for some work for a couple of weeks so I couldn't go anywhere even if I wanted to! 

I know full well that I am not alone in my new Saturday night traditions. Gone are the days of everyone heading to clubs and pubs to drink their bodyweight in booze whilst being crammed into a nightclub with what feels like 4000 other people, listening to godawful music and breathing in the joyous aroma of the overenthusiastic 'dancers' next to you, before inevitably vomiting on someones shoes (probably your own) and crawling into bed at 3am.....good times!.... and whilst some folk are braving the newly opened bars, lockdown has definitely had a lasting effect and seeing a fair few remaining in at home. 

Enter - Stir Crazy Drinks 

Brain child of the lovely folks at Doctor Inks Curiosities (an incredible cocktail bar in Exeter), Stir Crazy Drinks came about during the recent pandemic and ensuing lockdown, where the bar industry came to a grinding halt... Doctor Inks was no exception. The team, unable to serve drinks from the bar itself, decided (quite rightly) that people still needed cocktails... and thus 'Stir Crazy' was born. 

I believe the delivery service started with simply local drop-offs of ingredients, and has since grown into a national delivery option, and despite Doctor Inks now being re-open, the service's popularity has meant that it will continue... meaning that folks like me can still have our cocktail nights without ever having to leave the house or put on clothes without an elastic waistband....winner. 

Boxes are available fortnightly and these are limited and do sell out so get in there quick! The included cocktails vary but always sound absolutely incredible! When the lovely folks at Doctor Inks got in contact and offered to send over a box, I was over the moon... and this was multiplied tenfold when I found out that this weeks would be melon flavoured cocktails... one of my absolute favourite flavours. Despite all my bitching and moaning about sickly sweet gins, I know I know, I'll quite happily demolish a sweet cocktail in a matter of seconds! Whole different subject! Gin should taste like gin....cocktails are just for fun! 

So back to the boxes at hand... the boxes make TWO different delicious cocktails, and included in the box are the ingredients in usefully numbered bottles (check my insta highlights for a sneak peek of how the boxes arrive) so you know which is which when it comes to making your drinks, some gorgeous garnishes, and an instruction leaflet with the breakdown of the ingredients and then a list of the equipment and extras you will need (minimal) and a step by step guide to making your drinks. To accompany this, there is a Facebook Live video at 8pm on the Saturday which is then saved so you can watch it any time.... but if you don't catch that then you have your instructions included anyway. Jobs a goodun. I personally highly recommend watching the video as I imagined it just to be a 'how to'...but it actually turned out to be so much more and included so much fascinating history about the spirits and cocktails included, and and extra cocktail and tips to boot! 

Making up the cocktails was incredibly simple, all the ingredients are ready to go and things like foamer etc are already mixed in and included so its a case of pouring shaking and serving.... anyone can give it a go! The flavours are out of this world and showcase some items such as cordials, shrubs and the like, made by the team at Doctor Inks themselves. These guys really know their cocktails, I do not say this lightly, their passion for not only the drinks, but the history and the creative process around them is reflected in the end result. If you are even vaguely local to Exeter, I highly recommend you pay them a visit in person, you won't regret it! 

First up this week was a beautiful 'Emerald Eyes' cocktail, inspired by the Duke of Devonshire Emerald, the largest uncut Emerald in the world, blending the Pisco Sour and the Midori Sour into one and boy it was gooooood! Included in the box was the sugar crystal emerald which is then affixed to your glass for added 'instagram-ness'. This cocktail features in Doctor Inks Curiosities current menu. Next up was a brand new cocktail created just for Stir Crazy so we were the first to try it... was an incredibly refreshing 'Sandita Highball' featuring kaffir lime infused blanco tequila, blanc vermouth, acid adjusted mint and watermelon cordial, and soda water. 

At just £12 a box (which makes two incredible cocktails), not only is this great value for money considering how much you would spend on drinks on a night out, but such a great alternative for your Saturday evening drinks (or whenever you chose to have yours, honestly, you don't have to drink them on a Saturday guys, you wanna treat yourself on a Tuesday mid morning, you do you!) 


A great idea for cocktail nights in with friends, cocktails over zoom, a celebration or just to treat yourself! 

To order head to www.stircrazydrinks.co.uk 


Thanks again to the lovely folks at Doctor Inks for sending this box over to me to try. Whist this was a gifted item, all views are my own. 




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Thursday, 6 August 2020

Kala Thai, Bournemouth

What a night! 

No, I’m not reading from a diary about my mother meeting three consecutive men on a Greek island, accompanied by a fantastic rendition of Honey Honey.... 

I’ve actually just got back from attending the media launch for a brand-spanking-new local Thai restaurant opening its doors tomorrow. 

I’ll be honest, given the current circumstances, I have been somewhat nervy about the idea of dining out at a restaurant... but the promise of Thai food and cocktails was just too much temptation to resist, so off I went ... and boy am I glad I did! 

Located in the centre of Bournemouth, Kala Thai is ideally situated for regular locals and passing trade alike. 
Boasting authentic and handmade Thai cuisine, everything is made on site, fresh, to order ... and (where possible) with local ingredients. 

Visually, this is a beautiful overhaul of the building previously owned by Alcatraz Brasserie... with industrial metal paired side by side with warm, handcrafted wooden tables and bar (wood sourced from the New Forest, keeping it local and sustainable), the interior is in keeping with the Thai cuisine, without loosing its modern and sleek feel. Beautiful details such as the stamps on the wooden tables and the natural edges to the bar, translate the care and attention which has gone into this restaurant. 

Owner and head chef Tom hails from Bangkok and has taken his passion for his native cuisine and poured it into an exciting and extensive menu. 
Noting his favourite disk as the Weeping Tiger steak, Toms passion for cooking stems from his mother, who also enjoyed a career as a chef. 

I was lucky enough to be invited along this evening to a media/press launch, ahead of opening night tomorrow ... this meant a sneak peek of the restaurant itself which even up to the last minute was undergoing work to ensure everything is ready for opening. Delays due to Covid have meant that progress had been pushed back for the team and yet, despite all the hurdles, they have accomplished great things. 

Also included for us this evening was a taster of the incredible cocktails on offer, and most importantly, the food. 

First up the cocktails... now I’m a sucker for a good cocktail, this we know.... 
Mitch created a beautiful lychee and mango fizz on our arrival, followed by custom cocktails to suit our flavour preferences ... I had a beautiful gin cocktail which was heavy on the citrus, just how I like it. Bitter... just like me. Haha. With a wealth of knowledge and a clear passion for his craft, Mitch is the man to go to for a cocktail in Bournemouth! I will most certainly be back.

Giving us a taster of the menu, Tom and his team offered up a range of dishes for us to sample... and by sample, I mean we were offered plates piled high with the most incredible Thai cuisine. We certainly didn’t go hungry! 
Two kinds of handmade spring rolls, fish cakes, king prawn pad Thai, green Thai chicken curry, stir fried tofu and vegetables and Thai rice were on offer and I of course tried the lot (it had to be done ok! It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it!.... Jean, not a word about my diet ok!)  
This, my friends, is the real deal. Good, proper Thai cuisine, no MSG, no nasties, just traditional Thai made with care and love. This is quite simply Thailand on a plate. 
I highly recommend the Thai green curry... those liquorice flavours!! Incredible! (And I don’t even like liquorice!) 

Tummies full, Mitch then whipped up a palate cleansing tea for us featuring mint and Thai basil ... simple but oh so effective. 

So here’s the deets folks: 

Kala Thai will be opening tomorrow (7th August) with no bookings, walk in only for the first weekend. Following this they will be available for bookings and open for both lunch and dinner. I’ll share the menus on my social media for those of you who want to plan ahead (or just fancy salivating over the incredible dishes on offer). 

I have no doubt I’ll see some of you down there as I’ll be heading back down with friends in the very near future! And yes, these guys will be taking part in the Eat out to help out scheme, check their social media for more details on that. 

A huge thank you to the team at Kala Thai, and the lovely folks at Route PR for a fantastic evening. 

Disclaimer - this was a PR event which I was invited to attend, however, all views and opinions are completely my own. 






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