Spirited Experiences
What’s tonic, coke, ginger beer and cranberry juice without your favourite spirit mixed in? Discover the flavours of the Cotswolds, Forest of Dean, Herefordshire and beyond at one of the local distilleries. You’ll find gins infused with hedgerow berries, vodkas you could never imagine and spicy rums. All of the distilleries included are open for tours and tastings and many offer gin making experiences so you can blend your own favourite flavours. At the end of your holiday with us you’ll be going home with a new bottle to add to your collection.
Cotswolds
Cotswolds Distillery, Stourton
Surrounded by rolling Cotswold hills, the Cotswolds Distillery has so much on offer. It was the first distillery established in this area and it has grown to be a well-known Cotswold attraction. From tours and tastings to masterclass experiences this is a must-visit for spirit drinkers. Blend your own whisky or gin and visit the on-site café for lunch during your day here.
Bolthole Retreats guests receive 10% at the Cotswold Distillery shops in Stourton, Bourton-on-the-Water and Broadway.
Sibling Distillery, Cheltenham
Started by a quartet of siblings, this gin distillery has a range to suit all tastes inspired by the seasons. Book on a tour, or a gin making workshop where you can create your own unique blend, perfectly matched to your preferences. The friendly family team are passionate about their gins and you will have a fabulous time here.
Forest of Dean and Beyond
Distilling handmade craft spirits and their own blend of cocktails, Silver Circle have a unique offering. With black garlic vodka, aquavit and their small batch Libertine gin you are sure to experience new flavours. Visit the distillery for a tour and to learn how their Wye Valley Gin is crafted followed by savouring a gin and tonic. If you’d like to get more involved, attend a gin making experience to create your own gin recipe.
Monmouth Gin Company, Monmouth
After experimenting with their own gin making at home, the team behind Monmouth Gin decided to take their experimenting a step further. Buying the basic kit they’d need online, the company has since grown to offer a range of flavoured gins from their classic dry gin to a rose gin infused with rose quartz and jade crystals. Visit the distillery for a tasting of three gins or a gin making experience to fill a 70cl bottle using your own recipe.
Herefordshire
Black Mountains Botanical, Michaelchurch Escley
Hidden away in the Herefordshire countryside, Black Mountains Botanical use the benefits of their location to distil gins infused with the flavour of the surrounding country. The award-winning spirits made by a passionate duo who create a range of gins, rums and liqueurs. On a tour you first see the coffee roasting barn, part of the production of their coffee liqueur. The copper pot stills used here were designed and made by Lloyd (half of Black Mountains Botanical) and then you have a personal tasting of the final products at the Hill Billy Bar at the end of your tour. Gin workshops are also available to make your own blend!
Foxtail Distillery, near Ross-on-Wye
Foxtail gin uses herbs, flowers and botanicals foraged from the nearby area and their own garden. Their original gin has a bold, citrus flavour but they also make a Thai inspired and rhubarb and custard variety as well for a change from the everyday. Visit for a gin experience where not only do you learn more about the production process but you can also produce your own blend of flavours.
