Torbay Distilling Company

Cockington village sits just inland from Torquay seafront, thatch and lanes and all, and somewhere in the middle of it is a micro distillery turning out gin that has been racking up international medals. Small batch, hand bottled, distilled on the English Riviera by people who clearly care about what goes in the bottle. It is a modest operation with a decidedly immodest trophy cabinet.

The awards include IWSC Gold, Food Drink Devon and a win at The Gin Guide Awards, with all three gins taking gold at the 2025 Taste of the West awards. Matobo is the one to note: juniper-led with an African twist from West African black pepper, acacia and hibiscus, made in collaboration with Paignton Zoo and the Wild Planet Trust, with a donation from every bottle going to their conservation work. Visit the shop in Cockington, or raid the Cocktail Corner recipes online.