Assay

The Sheffield Distillery is based on the banks of the Blackburn Brook River in Chapeltown, to the North of the city. It's also sited in the car park of The Commercial Pub, a fantastic boozer with an vast range of whiskies and gin that host tasting events almost every week. Manager Paul Harrison and his team - along with several of his regular customers - decided that they'd venture into making spirits themselves, and in 2017 distillation began. Paul and his father Keith dedicated research time reading up on the full processes involved rather than diving head on, to ensure that they hit the ground running in producing a richly textured spirit that would be the base for a selection of flavoured spirits using local natural produce, with a strict rule of non chill-filtration. A whisky is on the cards, but in the meantime the Assay gins and vodkas (named after the 5 offices across UK that certify quality of precious metals, for which Sheffield is so well-known) are more than providing a great reputation. Paul himself even suffered second-degree burns after the still set alight in May of 2019, resulting in him being put in a coma for 2 weeks to aid recovery. He was quickly back at work, determined not to let the incident set production back.

The Strawberry and Black Pepper vodka is an amazing combination that somehow delivers everything it promises in the name. Actual strawberry jam is poured into the still and sits for 24 hours as it heats up in a water bath. After distillation, whole black peppercorns are macerated in the vodka for 48 hours, along with fresh strawberries that impart the impressive pink colour. No sugar is added at all - the thick sweetness on the palate is purely from the jam and fruit, supported by a fantastic spiciness from the peppercorns. It's fantastic in Champagne or Prosecco, or even blended with ice cream to make a boozy milkshake!