The Wild Boar of Westmorland, a savage beast, terrorised pilgrims in the Lake District in the time of King John.
In 1207 Sir Richard “the Rider” de Gilpin fought and killed the beast and for his courage was granted the Wild Boar of Westmorland as the symbol of the Gilpin family which endures to this day alongside the Gilpin family motto:
"Dictis Factisque Simplex" "Simple in word and deed"
Sir Richard went on to fame as the scribe of Magna Carta at Runnymede which he attended with the Baron of Kendal in 1215 to persuade King John to introduce the rule of law into England.
400 years later Sir Richard’s descendent, Antwerp-based spice trader George Gilpin was Secretary of the "Merchant Adventures" when he was appointed by Queen Elizabeth the First as her Ambassador to the Low Countries at the time of the Spanish Armada.
Here he was one of the first Englishmen to enjoy (and bring home) the new Dutch “Genever” spirit flavoured with a wide range of botanicals including juniper.
In many way this original "Gin" was one of the world's first truly global products with spices coming from all around the known world - from as far away as China and South America.
Within a few years there were hundreds of gin distilleries in London.
The rest is history...
Gilpin's Gin recaptures the simplicity of classic London Gin, a tribute to these two great men and their place in the history of the Spirit of England.
GEORGE GILPIN
1514-1602
“Gilpin’s Gin is my personal interpretation
of a London Dry Gin.
I was inspired by the fascinating history of my family's involvement in the medievel spice trade to create a unique,
simple yet powerful gin.
Staying firmly within the strict definition of London Dry,
I wanted to also use two of my favourite herbs: sage and borage - giving Gilpin’s Gin its unique, bright and herbal character.
My hope is for Gilpin’s Gin to be seen as a modern classic, versatile and distinctive.”
Matthew Gilpin