Adnams First Rate certainly is first rate. Best known for its beers, chairman Jonathan Adnams – also a brewing engineer – got inspired by the craft distilling scene in the US, deciding to convert the family firm’s orginal brewhouse into a distillery.

In due course there’ll be a whisky from the Copper House Distillery, but for now we have a brace of tasty gins and vodkas.

First Rate is crafted in small batches from a mix of wheat, barley and rye, with a carefully chosen bakers dozen of botanicals. With more depth than many, the liquorice, cardamom and orange peel come to the fore in a moreish manner. For those that like a touch of oomph with their G & T.           

£24.99/50cl; Adnams website, Cellar & Kitchen stores, some Adnams tied pubs & free trade pubs

For more on the story of the distillery’s birth, see here.