Gin botanicals and spices in the uk

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sampvt
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Gin botanicals and spices in the uk

Post by sampvt »

Ive noticed that many of our members are from foreign parts, so this message goes out to my UK compadres. Has anyone sourced a reasonably priced botanical and dried spice supplier that delivers in the UK. All I can come up with are brew shops charging lots for handfuls of simple dried fruits like orange peel and juniper berries. Im also look for a 25kg refined sugar bags, as they seem to vary so greatly from supplier to supplier.

Thanks in advance guys.
Alcophile
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Re: Gin botanicals and spices in the uk

Post by Alcophile »

I used lovebrewing, though you may have already looked there. Seemed to be one of the better value ones, I bought relatively large amounts and split it with a distiller friend. I have masses left after 7 gin runs as smaller amounts seem to be needed for vapour (note the "u") infusion.
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NZChris
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Re: Gin botanicals and spices in the uk

Post by NZChris »

Zest your local citrus.

Juniper and other gin ingredients are often available in Asian food stores for a fraction of the price you will pay at a HBS if you can find one that will courier to you.

I get some of mine on Ebay.

Angelica and Orris are easy to grow.
Squint
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Re: Gin botanicals and spices in the uk

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Corsaire
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Re: Gin botanicals and spices in the uk

Post by Corsaire »

Thai, Indian, Chinese and Turkish supermarkets are good options. Some health food stores as well, though those are usually more expensive.
Will Stilltry
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Re: Gin botanicals and spices in the uk

Post by Will Stilltry »

See if you have a Costco close by for 25kg bags of sugar.
Cheapest I have found.
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JK79sGin
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Re: Gin botanicals and spices in the uk

Post by JK79sGin »

justingredients.co.uk have a good range of botanicals.
They're not always the cheapest but seem to stock most things.
I've got quite a few things from Lovebrewing too :thumbup:
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Birrofilo
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Re: Gin botanicals and spices in the uk

Post by Birrofilo »

Try asking a pastry shop where do they source sugar. They probably don't buy it in 1 kg packs.

Amazon and eBay can be good sources for botanicals. Gentian, Dog-rose.

I also buy at my local herbalist.

Some botanicals might be difficult to source, but they can be substituted with anything. Gin is juniper, and the rest is "complexity", just put something aromatic in that basket, and you'll get good gin, IMHO. (Hope not to have said a blasphemy!)
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