Last weekend I was lucky enough to get out of Cardiff (no offence Cardiff but it’s been a while) and take a trip down to West Wales, Ceredigion to be precise. Nestled in a little valley is Glynhynod Farm, it’s down a little country lane and is pretty idyllic to be honest. When I parked up and got out of the car, I was greeted firstly by a little grey farm cat and secondly, by one of the co-founders of the business, Paula. It’s fair to say that Paula has a knack for disarming you. As soon as she saw me, she came over for a chat, all smiles and bright eyes. It makes a person feel very welcome when such warmth is evident in someone from the get-go.
Originally from Holland Paula, John and Patrice moved to Wales and set up the organic farm in 1981. Over the next ten years the farm's reputation for cheese and organic farming grew. Patrice’s Caws Teifi cheese had picked up a strong following and reputation for high quality and it’s safe to say that’s still the case today. However, as much as I love cheese, I was here for something quite different…Gin and Rum!
The Dà Mhìle Team
So why did I get in the car and drive 2 hours to visit an organic farm that specialises in Cheese to talk booze? Basically, these guys also make a range of superb organic spirits. In fact, these guys were the first on the planet to make an organic whisky. Back in 1992, after John realised such a thing didn’t exist, they commissioned Springbank distillery in the West of Scotland to make one for them. Anyone that knows whisky, knows Springbank. It’s one of the few remaining Campbeltown distilleries and has a strong reputation for strong tradition and high-quality single malt whiskies. This collaboration was the birth of Dà Mhìle and organic whisky. In 2000 a further batch of organic whisky was commissioned with the Loch Lomond distillery and in 2012 the first spirits made directly at the farm started to be produced. So that leads me up to last weekend and my little visit.
Designed with seafood in mind this is a true sipping gin. It was originally conceived after a collaboration with a local chef.
Beautiful aromas of garden herbs, mint and a slight salty edge. The palate is smooth and complex, works really well over ice with nothing else needed.
If you want it as a G&T then go with simple natural tonic and garnish with a garden herb like rosemary or thyme.
This new edition to the Dà Mhìle range is a beautiful spirit, easy to drink straight or with a mixer. It has a warm sweetness on the nose, notes of molasses and raisin on the palate, finishing with hints of oak and vanilla.
Originally a limited edition, it’s become so popular that they have added it to their core range.
For a mixer, try Fever-Tree Madagascan Cola or ginger beer and a slice of lime.