Gin goes viral

Word has spread on Facebook about artisan micro-distillery Solway Spirits and their Rhubarb Crumble gin.
Andrew Emmerson, who owns and runs the company, is shocked his product was shared nearly 200,000 times, but said it has been incredibly popular with customers.
He revealed the inspiration for the flavour was close to home: “I like rhubarb crumble as a dessert, and I like gin, so we amalgamated them together and this is what we came up with. I especially like it with ginger ale.”
Andrew, 49, makes gins, spirits and liqueurs in the converted garage of his home in Cummertrees and the range includes a Solway Classic gin, as well as Apple Schnapps, Sloe Gin, Citrus gin, and even a rum and vodka.
However it all started with homebrew beers and ciders in 2011, kicking off with Andrew’s Ales, which he still makes today with help from his partner.
Explaining the process, he revealed how he buys the alcohol in from British suppliers and infuses it with local ingredients to make his variety of flavours.
Elderflower and Vanilla flavoured Cortes gin is Andrew’s personal favourite, although the Raspberry Ripple version is also hugely popular among customers who mix it with prosecco.
“We mainly sell in the local area, South of Scotland and Edinburgh,” Andrew added. “But we’ve also had deliveries to specialist shops in Hampshire and Kent.
“But it’s important for me to keep it local as we’re a small producer, and we make our drinks in small batches”
Andrew is currently working on two new flavours of gin, but isn’t revealing any details just yet.