The Sugar Store venue in Cowes was packed to the gunnels on Thursday evening as Isle of Wight Distillery celebrated ten years of their award-winning Mermaid Gin.
Attendees included just about anyone who has been involved in Mermaid Gin’s huge success, from dedicated staff on the ground to designers, trademark agents, bottlers, foragers, you name it they were there, alongside friends and family who have supported Mermaid Gin’s journey.
Brainchild of Xav Baker
Mermaid Gin is the brainchild of Xavier Baker, who name you may remember from the late 2023 Atlantic crossing in a rowing boat challenge, with Chris Mannion and Paul Berry.
At the anniversary party, Xav spoke of the handshake agreement with business partner, Conrad Gauntlett, that sealed the formation of Isle of Wight Distillery in 2014.
A decade later and Mermaid Gin can be found across the world in all seven continents.
Incredible stats
A whopping 480,000 bottles of Mermaid Gin have been produced and sold this year, and Xavier explained that if you placed them side by side, they would stretch across the 26 miles from Culver to the Needles.
Since its launch in 2015, more than three million bottles of Mermaid Gin have been produced and sold. Many will agree what an incredible achievement that is, and one that proudly flies the flag of the Isle Wight.
Limited edition anniversary gin
For the tenth anniversary, Isle of Wight Distillery have launched a very special, reimagined limited edition Mermaid Gin (46% abv).
The much-loved Mermaid Gin flavours have been enhanced with locally-foraged rock samphire and the unique addition of coastal fig leaves, resulting in a smooth yet complex taste, and subtle creamy coconut on the nose. The fig leaves are from one of the oldest fig trees in the UK, planted on the grounds of Ventnor Botanic Gardens in 1870.
The limited edition gin includes (if you are quick) an exclusive print ‘Sanctuary’ (1/1000) by award-winning contemporary artist, Michelle Lucking.
If you want a bottle you’ll have to act fast, there are only 1500 available.
Xavier said,
“This gin is our tribute to the Island – ten years of learning and evolving, all while being inspired by the Isle of Wight’s native and new botanicals.
“It’s a celebration of the natural world around us, the climate that shapes it, and the community that supports it. We wanted to create something special for our 10th anniversary – a spirit that couldn’t come from anywhere else.”
