When in Salcombe – or make that anywhere – Salcombe Gin is the tipple to reach for. Based right by the water on Island Street, home to a funky mix of boat-builders, distillers and eateries, Salcombe Distilling Co. is one of the few distilleries in the world that is navigable by boat.

But being cool and boaty is far from Salcombe Gin’s only distinction. Founded in 2016, it’s also one of Devon’s longest established gins, beaten in age only by Plymouth Gin, (the UK’s oldest distillery). It’s unofficially Devon’s most classy, thanks not only to its upmarket boathouse location, where you can watch their  copper still ‘Provident’ in action or admire the view over the water from the bar’s balcony, but also its gorgeous branding.

Founded by pals Howard Davies and Angus Lugsdin, Salcombe Gin has been a stalwart of every Muddy Awards Do this editor can remember. This year, they generously donated gins to the Muddy Award winners goody bags, and Gus joined us to give the speech at Shilstone Manor.

It says it all that their very first gin, Start Point, scooped Gold at the World Gin Awards within a year of launching. The next year the pair went on to create a gin school where you can still enjoy a tour and tasting, or like thousands of others before you, create your own bespoke gin (5000 and counting!). In 2019, they launched their pink gin, Rosé Sainte Marie, a delicate tipple the colour of Provençal wine, followed by a flavoursome range of zero alcohol gin, New London Light.

Proving their commitment to their coastal location, Salcombe Gin also donate 1% of every bottle sold to the Marine Conservation Society to help protect and regenerate precious ocean habitats. We’ll drink to that.