| Our delegates were all in agreement – a fascinating talk and tour of the distillery |
| We’d like to thank Michael, Bridgette and Josh from Spirit of the Downs for putting on some lovely local wines and Sussex canapes to accompany their presentation and tastings. The spirit of enterprise and endeavour is something we heartily celebrate among our business community. It takes determination and perseverance to establish any business. Distilling spirits has its own challenges. Michael explained how, with no previous experience, his journey began. There were pitfalls and mistakes and lessons learned. Hands-on hard work has paid dividends with the company’s products winning multiple awards. They’ve created a range of delicate, fruity, smooth and complex brandies & grape spirits. These are now being offered in many local quality wine merchants in Lindfield, Hurstpierpoint and elsewhere. There are plans to expand and to do so in a highly sustainable manner, utilising solar energy and making sure their waste products are themselves put to good use afterwards, re-enriching the soil on nearby farms and orchards. For the moment they produce small batches of between 600 to 1,500 bottles of each distinctive spirit and have a number of different vintages, reflecting the base product they work with, the otherwise unwanted pomace, grape skins as supplied from local vineyards. Their Grape Spirits have an essence of Grassiness, Plum, Madagascan Vanilla and also Maraschino Cherries. Their brandies vary in depth of flavour from light Brandies using English oak with Elderflower and Honeysuckle coming through, to French oak providing Caramel and Rich Vanilla flavour similar to traditional Brandies. I was taken aback that there is currently only one oak barrel maker (cooper) left in the UK, based in Yorkshire, he’s recently taken on three apprentices. Michael explained how reconditioned barrels help create more complex taste profiles. Each of these barrels can cost £900 each. Spirits consumption in the UK has increased in recent years and part of that is due to a renaissance in cocktail making. Michael explained how a Margarita made with his Grape Vodka has a very distinctive taste. You can find out more about their suggested cocktails here . The perfect gift for Christmas, for a loved one or for some of your favoured clients. Check out their current range of handcrafted, artisanal spirits here: Spirits Range  Spirit of the Downs Founder Michael Yeoman |
 Josh explains how they measure alcohol content. In the Still: the strongest brandy they produce, Sussex Brandy at 60% is bubbling away.  Chief distiller Josh’s enthusiasm for his craft, developing natural flavours, was palpable. Oak barrels infuse eclectic taste profiles.  Considerable investments have been made, here Josh explains how a £16,000 brandy Still works. |
 Tours and tastings are available and can be booked on their website.  On this occasion for BHBPA members the tasting was free.  There’s also a shop inside where you can purchase any of the award winning range. |
 We encourage our members to make use of their social media feeds. Alex is showing off his purchase, a Christmas gift for his father.  A small drop is enough to get the aroma and taste of each spirit. It’s recommended you have a designated driver for your tour.  New barrels arrived earlier this week from Yorkshire, where the only UK cooper is based. These are reconditioned, each imparting different flavours. |
| hello@spiritofthedowns.co.uk 0800 0157255 Contact us Book a Distillery Tour (Or check out the website for BHBPA Member’s Offer on tours) |