Tarquin Leadbetter built his first still from scratch in a mate's garage. That still — a small, flame-heated copper pot he named Tamara, after the river goddess of the Tamar — produced the first batch of what is now one of England's most acclaimed craft gins. The Southwestern Distillery, perched on the clifftops near Padstow in North Cornwall, has grown considerably since those early days, but the method remains resolutely artisanal: small batches, flame-fired copper, and a hands-on approach that borders on the obsessive.
Tarquin's Cornish Dry Gin uses twelve botanicals, several of which are foraged from the Cornish countryside and coastline. Devon violets provide a distinctive floral note, while handpicked elderflower contributes delicate sweetness. These sit alongside the traditional London Dry botanicals — juniper, coriander, citrus peel, angelica — creating a gin that is recognisably classic in structure but unmistakably Cornish in character.
On the Nose
The nose is immediately appealing — fresh juniper with a soft floral lift that sets it apart from the more austere London Drys. The Devon violets are present but restrained, adding perfume without excess. Citrus is bright and clean, predominantly lemon with a hint of grapefruit. There is a gentle spice from the coriander and a whisper of sea air that might be imagination but feels authentic given the distillery's clifftop location.
The Palate
On the palate, Tarquin's delivers a beautifully integrated drinking experience. The juniper is firm and classic, providing a strong backbone, but the florals soften its edges in a way that feels natural rather than contrived. The elderflower emerges on the mid-palate, adding a honeyed sweetness that lifts the gin without making it sweet. The citrus is well-judged, and there is a subtle herbal quality — perhaps the locally foraged botanicals expressing their terroir — that gives the gin its distinctive Cornish identity.
At 42% ABV, the mouthfeel is medium-bodied and smooth, with none of the harshness that flame-fired distillation can sometimes produce. This speaks to Leadbetter's skill — controlling a flame-heated still requires considerably more attention and expertise than the steam-heated stills used by most modern distilleries.
The Finish
The finish is medium-long and elegantly balanced. Juniper persists, as it should, but the florals linger alongside it, creating a finish that is aromatic rather than merely dry. A final touch of citrus brightness lifts the ending, leaving the palate clean and ready for the next sip.
In a gin and tonic with Mediterranean tonic and a sprig of fresh rosemary, Tarquin's is spectacular — the herbal notes in the gin harmonise with the rosemary garnish, and the result is one of the most drinkable G&Ts I've encountered. In a Martini, it is soft and approachable, better suited to a slightly wetter ratio that allows those florals to express themselves.
Tarquin's Cornish Dry Gin is a reminder that craft, when backed by genuine skill and quality ingredients, produces spirits that large-scale operations struggle to match. This is gin with soul, made by someone who clearly loves both the spirit and the place it comes from. Cornwall should be proud.
