Southwestern Distillery

Self-taught distilling is a risky business, but Tarquin Leadbetter has made it work on the wild coast of north Cornwall, where his small distillery near Wadebridge turns out spirits in tiny batches. The ambition is straightforward enough: great-tasting spirits made with integrity, done by hand. The trophy cabinet suggests it landed, with World's Best Gin at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition among the international awards.

The Cornish Dry Gin is the anchor, joined by a genuinely wide-ranging family: Rhubarb & Raspberry, Strawberry & Lime, Cornish Apple & Elderflower, Cornish Sunshine Blood Orange, Mexican Zest & Salt, plus collaborations including the Olive Leaf & Lemon made with the Eden Project and a Cornish Dry with Whistlefish. Gifts and merchandise sit alongside the bottles. Start with the Cornish Dry to see what the fuss is about, then work outwards.