Scoff Quaff Lewes in conversation with Tom Cat Gin founders Kate and Paul Wratten…..
As a nation we love the stuff , and despite its evil old reputation as mothers ruin, it seems our appetite for it just keeps on growing . Sussex Gin’s are a really big thing and a recent arrival is Tom Cat Gin based over in Crowborough run by Kate and Paul Wratten.
Scoff Quaff Lewes — how did Tom Cat Gin come about ?
We originally ran Black Cat Brewery , producing a range of 6 beers. We were looking to turn the waste products from the beer into a single malt but then I decided that maybe we could try and produce a gin ….What followed next was a series of recipes being made up with tweaks and experiments until we were happy with the taste and thus Tom Cat Gin arrived .
SQL — So tell me more about the name ? Tom Cat has always just been a jokey name that we used in the brewery — but there’s an interesting story dating back to when gin was illegal in Hogarth’s time where establishment’s selling gin were identified by a painted black cat on the wall of the building, coins were put into an opening by the cat’s mouth whereupon the gin would be poured down a shute straight into the punters mouth . I loved the story and it fitted really well with our brewery name too.
SQL — Which Sussex ingredients do you use in your gins? We use mineral water from Pear Tree Well , which is really close to our Brewery and source as many local botanicals as possible. We launched Tom Cat Cloudy Mango Gin just before Christmas which is proving really popular and sold locally at many Farmers markets across Sussex , including Lewes ! We are also stocked in various shops including Harvey’s and Symposium, The Gin Hub in Hove plus various pubs in Brighton. Hartleys are now stocking Tom Cat Gin within all their East and West Sussex shops too.
We are also seeing some great food collaborations. Noble and Stace Chocolatiers over in West Sussex have produced a “Tom Cat Gin Chocolate” within their Gin Chocolate range and the Black Jug in Horsham have made a Tom Cat Gin Jelly . Sussex Smokers in Rye created a recipe with Salmon and our Tom Cat Gin . Its been really interesting seeing all these collaborations take place.
SQL What’s next in 2018 … Well we have just been accepted at some more farmers markets in the South — bringing the total now to 7 — which is great news and makes life pretty hectic. We are still distilling in small batches of 75 litres and are really excited with the direction and speed that Tom Cat Gin is progressing at !
Last question .. how best to drink it ? The Dry Sussex Gin is a quintessential English Gin infused with six botanicals which can be complemented with a premium tonic, ice, orange peel,and a sprig of rosemary or just simply on the rocks. If you are drinking the Cloudy Mango Gin then we recommend a few crushed blueberries, mint leaves, ice and a premium tonic. Delicious!
Notes
www.nobleandstace.co.uk makers of Tom Cat Gin Chocolates
www.vjgameandsussexsmokers.com Smokery based in Rye.
www.facebook.com/lewesfarmersmarket — Lewes Farmers Market operates on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month.
Scoff Quaff Lewes is a small local campaign to get behind and support local food and drink producers .
Do join in the conversation by using #celebratelewes and follow on twitter, instagram and Facebook @scoffquafflewes You can tag @scoffquafflewes in any posts.
