Wow, what an experience. A 90-minute tour of the UK’s most famous distillery, Silent Pool Distillers, set against the beautiful backdrop of the meandering Surrey Hills.
From the moment we arrived the friendly staff at Silent Pool Distillers in Albury made us feel welcome and at home. The tour started in The Pool Bar where we had a brief outline of what our afternoon was going to be like – from the Silent Pool’s history, distilling process and (of course!) gin tasting.
Our Australian tour guide Paul was both hilarious and informative, making us belly laugh at several times throughout the tour. We loved the fact they name certain ingredients such as Kevin the Bergamot Fruit and their stills are called Juliet and her ‘big sister’ Ophelia.
The history of the Silent Pool is so interesting too. Dating back to Pagan times when women (or witches – as they believed at the time) were sacrificed in the clear, 6-degree waters. A dredging of the Pool in the 1900’s came up with hundreds of items of jewellery and artefacts proving this.
When it gets really interesting is around the time of Richard The Lionheart and the legend of Robin Hood in approximately 1160. A young nobleman called John lived on the land surrounding Albury. He used to hunt in the forests and take the riches of the locals. A young girl called Emma, the Woodcutter’s Daughter, used to bathe in the Silent Pool every day and was seen by John who tried to attack her one afternoon. Instead of giving up her modesty, Emma crept further into the pool to hide from him and was sucked under. She sadly drowned trying to escape him.
A few years later, John was crowned King of England following the death of his older brother Richard The Lionheart, and John’s reign of terror started. He has been known throughout history as one of the worst and most evil of Kings. The death of Emma spurred the myth of the Silent Pool even further. Since that fateful day when she innocently went swimming, many people have been to the Silent Pool to try and end their lives in the honourable way Emma did. Innocent and free, rather than be subjected to evil and shame.
It wasn’t until respected author Agatha Christie went missing in 1926 that the legend of the Silent Pool resurfaced in the public eye. When Agatha found out her husband Archie was having an affair and was planning to leave her, she abandoned her car near the Silent Pool and disappeared for 13 days. Everyone thought she was dead although she had actually checked into a spa under Archie’s mistresses name in Harrogate! Funny? No. As the whole country suspected at the time of her disappearance that Archie had murdered her. It was then the tables turned on Agatha when the truth of her whereabouts came out. She was castigated by the nation for ‘setting up’ Archie.
So again, the Pool got even more press. It was definitely becoming somewhat of a national treasure. To this day the Silent Pool is considered by locals to have special powers and definitely has an eeriness about it. During the tour there were several guests noticeably getting chills down their spine as the talks progressed. It is green to look at with so much moss and foliage at its side. We saw at least 100 turquoise dragonflies circling the pool. The same beautiful colour that is on their famous bottles interestingly. The fact that this site is steeped in so much history and legend is an honour to Surrey and the Silent Pool Gin founders that have kept it in its natural state.
ENTREPRENEURS CARRY ON THE LEGEND
So how did the brand come about? Well, in 2014, Silent Pool Gin founders Ian McCulloch and James Shelbourne met in their local pub (where else?!) and discussed the idea of setting up a distillery. The duo started out with a grand vision of making it next to a fresh water source, producing handcrafted, artisan spirits using locally sourced ingredients.
But first they needed the perfect location. Most distilleries end up in grim locations or boring industrial estates. Ian and James wanted somewhere filled with history, a good story and plenty of provenance. After scouting many locations in the south of England, one day Ian discovered Sherbourne Farm on the banks of the Silent Pool. Excited by the find, Ian and James contacted the landowner, The Duke of Northumberland, and got the go ahead to restore the dilapidated farm buildings into the Silent Pool Distillery.
And the rest as they say is history. Thanks Ian and James! Silent Pool Gin is considered one of the UK’s most famous gins and exports around the world to hundreds of countries producing a staggering 45,000 bottles a year. All from Surrey’s infamous Silent Pool.
GIN MAKING (& TESTING!)
During the tour, we were able to learn everything about Silent Pool Distiller’s award-winning gin and try five variations. Praise the Lord! (You shot the gin by the way and have a tonic chaser to truly experience the flavour.) Drivers on the day are told to dip their finger and rub on their tongue. We recommend getting a cab!
What makes Silent Pool Gin so unique and flavoursome is down to their delicious recipe with a selection of botanicals including Bosnian juniper berries, liquorice root, cassia bark, orris and bergamot (or Kevin!) which are then bruised and macerated in spirit before being transferred to the still. As Paul was explaining the process, we were able to smell the core ingredients that go into the gin. Heavenly… especially the bitter orange. These key ingredients are what give Silent Pool Gin its unique depth and flavour.
We also discovered their unique four-stage process allows the distillers to precisely control the quality and flavour of the gin. Interestingly, after the third distilling process, the gin comes out as 86% proof but when mixed with the purified Silent Pool water it drops down to its final 43% volume.
Then we were able to see the gin basket infusion, which hangs in the neck of their Holstein still. Fresh orange and lime peel, dried pears, Macedonian Juniper and Polish Angelica – to name but a few, lift the spirit with bright aromatics and citrus notes. The more delicate botanicals such as rose petals, kaffir lime leaves, linden and elderflower are separately macerated in a process that is called the ‘Gin Tea Infusion’, stripping the oils and aromatic compounds from the vegetal matter. This is strained and added to the pot, which lend the gin its ethereal high notes of perfumed lime and floral essence. The distillation process is completed using a multi-chambered fractioning column and through precise control over a series of plates and cooling pipes finally balancing the spirit, ready to be packaged and sent.
GINTASTIC OPTIONS
SILENT POOL GIN (ORIGINAL)
Luxury English gin handcrafted with 24 botanicals in the Surrey Hills. Full-bodied and fresh with clarity and depth of flavour. A rich, juniper-driven spirit with floral layers of lavender and chamomile.
https://silentpooldistillers.com/silent-pool-gin-1/
SILENT POOL GIN PLATINUM EDITION
To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee a stunning one-of-a-kind bottle for a once in 1,000 year occasion! Enjoy aromatic peach caressed by floral notes, subtle layers of juniper, delicate hints of tea giving way to light rose notes all the while underpinned by bright, citrusy pepper.
www.silentpooldistillers.com/silent-pool-gin-platinum-celebration-edition/
SILENT POOL RARE CITRUS GIN
An innovative and alluring gin handcrafted with the world’s rarest citrus. Expertly balances bright and zesty notes of Buddha’s Hand with enticingly rich notes of Natsu Dai Dai, subtly sweetened with Hirado Buntan.
www.silentpooldistillers.com/silent-pool-rare-citrus-gin-1/
SILENT POOL ROSE EXPRESSION
Light, elegant and smooth with notes of vetiver and cardamom mingling beautifully on the palate. Delicate rose notes build in the back of the mouth, along with a lingering finish of citrus and spice.
www.silentpooldistillers.com/silent-pool-rose-expression-gin/
GUILDFORD GIN
Silent Pool’s Guildford Gin celebrates the vibrant and exciting town of Guildford in Surrey. This gin is inspired by the town’s rich historic past, drawing on locally abundant flavours such as Heather, Wild Thyme and Nettle. This wildflower packed gin produces a fresh, light, floral taste, perfect for those who appreciate more delicate flavours.
www.silentpooldistillers.com/silent-pool-distillers-guildford-gin/
IN SUMMARY
We learnt so much on this tour as well as having lots of fun and will definitely be back soon, like Mel who was on her third visit!
We chatted to several members of the tour afterwards to get their take on the day.
Anita Telfar from Reigate, said: “The tour was fantastic and our tour guide Peter (it was Paul, hiccup!) was so fun and informative. We will definitely be back!”
(Anita’s best mate Mel on the tour has been twice before. She took her son on his 19th birthday and her mum for her 70th – Silent Pool tours span all ages.)
Russell Evans from Chichester, said: “I thought it was excellent. I enjoyed the stories about the pool and was surprised by how many gins they had. Yeah fantastic, would totally recommend this tour.”
WHAT GOES ON TOUR (DOESN’T STAY ON TOUR!)
After the tour we stayed on for a drink at The Pool Bar overlooking the Silent Pool. Each tour guest then receives a £5 off voucher to use in their on-site distillery shop. There is an impressive range of products on display including deals to be had such as purchasing a bottle of Silent Pool Gin and you get a free branded gin glass. Well worth a visit for this reason alone! We stocked up and even got free Silent Pool Gin branded bags with our purchase.
Be sure to check out The Woodcutter’s Daughter Whiskey out now too – a new addition for 2022. It is devine – smooth and oaky. Thanks SP!
CONTACT
The Silent Pool Distillery Tour costs £20 per person and runs twice daily from Thursday to Sunday. The distillery shop is open 7 days a week as is their fab Pool Bar for drinks and bar snacks.
Call: 01483 229136
Website: www.silentpooldistillers.com
FB/Instagram: @silentpoolgin
