221 Grove Road, London E3 5SN www.eastlondonliquorcompany.com
Still, most Londoners would probably estimate London at being twice that size or bigger still. They treat it like the globe – not to be crossed lightly, unless you’re on a gap year. Ealing is California; Stafford is Vladivostok; and I’ll stick with trendy Europe slap-bang in the middle, thanks.
What’s the point in living in this city and not exploring it? I’m not advocating a route march across the capital (although that would be pretty fun), but perhaps one or two diversions from your usual tube line or bus route wouldn’t go amiss.
Yes it’s East, yes it’s next to a canal, yes its industrial chic, the barman has a beard and the head distiller wears trendy spectacles. Blah blah blah, insert hipster joke here. Still, for all hipsters and non-hipsters alike, it’s worth the ‘journey’ east.
It’s craft they’re after here though – and craft requires control. Craft is also something I’m not going to dwell on. I don’t know enough about distilling gin to tell anyone whether it’s been done properly, well or in any way different from any other.
Instead, I’ll have to just take their word for it and go on taste.
Finally, the Batch 2. A hugely complex drink, with citrus and floral notes singing through in a way that leaves you rolling your eyes, trying and failing to compute every taste and flavour. A treat for the senses.
Well, nothing that is, with the exception of the bottle shop. This tiny cupboard of a room is (cliché alert) an Aladdin’s Cave of alcohol. Bottles upon bottles upon bottles from brands upon brands that I have never seen before (a couple I had, but let’s keep the up the mystery and pretence – it’s more impressive).
p.s. This trip was organised by Virgin Experiences as part of their Valentine’s Day Gifts package – but I didn’t get flowers or any chocolate.
Want another adventure?
– Head to Scotland with Glenfiddich whisky
– Travel further East to Norfolk
– See the delights Spain has to offer