General Manager of Victorian-based distributor Essence of Harrogate, Anthony Baker said the prospect of being able to bring ‘global to local’ was the foundation for he and his wife deciding to introduce Slingsby Gin to the Australian marketplace.

Anthony and Melanie Baker discovered the premium gin on a trip to Yorkshire and made it their mission to bring the best gin they had ever tasted to Australia.

“With Slingsby Gin we discovered early on that what it really came down to with this ultra-premium product, was the experience people were having with the gin and its unique history...Everything from the look and feel of the bottle, right down to the gin varieties gives people with different palettes something new to try," said Mr Baker.

It is their first foray into alcohol: Mr Baker is a builder and Mrs Baker is an accountant. They distribute Slingsby as a 'side business', as well as running a household with five kids and three dogs. No wonder they have a hankering for gin! 

But side business though it may be, the two have big aspirations for the product.

The Baker's made the connection with Nick Dunning, Head of Export at Spirit of Harrogate, before meeting Marcus Black, Co-founder and Managing Director of the business.

Mrs Baker says, "We really hit it off immediately. We are very aligned on the brand and committed to getting the brand to Australia.

"We aspire for it to be known and loved. We have had such wonderful feedback from Aussies. It's a really exciting thing to see people 'light up' when they take a sip and enjoy. We are thrilled to be involved, and we would love for Slingsby to be as well-known as Meadow Lea or Colgate!"

There are six varieties of Slingsby Gins - Marmalade, Gooseberry, Rhubarb, Old Tom, Navy Strength, London Dry and a vodka . The history of gin making in the region goes back to 1571, when William Slingsby discovered the unique properties of the natural spring water from Harrogate’s Tewit Well in the United Kingdom. 

More about Slingsby Gin:

Slingsby Gooseberry won Bronze at the World Gin Awards 2020

Slingsby London Dry won Sliver for Taste and design, and bronze for value at the Bartender’s Brand Awards 2020, in addition to silver at the Berlin International Spirits Competition

Slingsby Rhubarb secured bronze for both taste and design at the Bartender’s Brand Awards 2020

Slingsby Marmalade scooped two awards, bronze at the Berlin International Spirits Competition and silver at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Slingsby Gin won UK Gin Brand of the Year at the Berlin international Spirits Competition.

Slingsby can currently be purchased online, in fine wine and spirit stores and, when they are open, quality bars up and down the eastern seaboard.

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