Summer has ended, meteorologically speaking, and while we wait for the solstice to mark the beginning of astrological Autumn we thought we’d take a look back at some happenings far from our Isle of Harris shores.
We now have three brand ambassadors, sent out into the world to share our island spirit and story across the UK. Rachel Macdonald is based in London while Calum Barker and Iona Cairns look after the east and west coasts of Scotland respectively.
Each day, they’re busy connecting with customers in some of the best bars and restaurants in the land, as well as supporting our growing family of Click & Collect partners. They host lots of tastings and events, train staff, and teach gin lovers all about the joys of Isle of Harris Gin.
In warm and sunny London, Rachel has been serving perfect pours of Harris G&Ts at events like the Regent’s Park performance of Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Telegraph Gin Experience in the grounds of the exclusive Hurlingham Club.
Our friends at the Sunspel store have been serving our gin to customers every Saturday, so if you’re nearby do pop in and ask nicely for a refreshing drink while you peruse their wonderful wares. Or if you need a trim or treatment, then the good folk at Murdock Barbershops will do likewise.
We’re delighted to be one of the signature drinks at Pavlova's, a beautiful new bar at the Victoria Palace Theatre, from Jason Atherton and The Social Company's Jay Doy. Just ask your bartender for ‘The Broken Dancer’ cocktail and enjoy.
Keeping to the theatrical theme, Isle of Harris Gin can be found at Kiln and The Cut in the Young Vic Theater and will soon be appearing at the Old Vic’s new bar too. We can also be enjoyed in all Delfont-Macintosh theatres across London.
You can find our gin being served at recently opened The Standard hotel, a super retro-stylish revival of one of the city’s Brutalist buildings. Head of their bars Eder Neto has been kind enough to create a caviar-washed martini for us, so look out for the recipe coming soon.
We also recommend heading to the incredibly artful Scarfes Bar, near Covent Garden, an influential cocktail bar at the Rosewood Hotel. And be sure to make time for a drink at The Donovan Bar at Brown's Hotel in Mayfair before taking a short stroll to the excellent St James's Hotel for another.
If fine food is your thing, try a table at Orasay a small, elegant neighbourhood restaurant in Notting Hill, focussed on fish and seafood, inspired by the Western Isles. You’ll find an Isle of Harris Gin and Tonic proudly served on their drinks menu.
Finally, if you like your Isle of Harris Gin to play hard-to-get, seek out Vout-O-Reenee’s, a private member’s club and hidden outpost of Soho Bohemia secreted away in an unlikely corner of the East End. We can’t guarantee easy entry but if you do find a way in, then their Vout O Reenee Martini made with our gin is the way to celebrate.
And if you simply want to get hold of one of our bottles to enjoy at your leisure then just use our Click & Collect service to get hold of one in a hurry. We’re very pleased to partner with Wapping Wines, Kensington Wine Rooms, Vindinista, Brackenbury Wine Rooms, Bankside Hotel, Chalkpit and TT Liquor for immediate collection of your online orders.
To keep up to date on all Rachel’s London goings-on please follow her on Instagram at @iohd_rachel and look out for her upcoming seafood dinner at the Cleveland Arms on 28th September.
Summer in the big city may be coming to a close but our island spirit flows on…