PUERTO DE INDIAS DISTILLERY - CARMONA, SEVILLE

I was invited recently on a Press Trip to Seville, to visit the home of Puerto de Indias in Carmona.  

It's been a while since I've been to Seville, or indeed Spain, so even though it was just for 2 days, I was super excited to combine not only some city sightseeing, but also tap into a little gin distillery obsession!

Seville was founded by the Romans, conquered by the Muslims and became part of the Christian kingdom of Castille in the 13th Century.  After discovery of America in the 16th Century it became the principal economic centre of a growing Spanish Empire.  

This lasted until the river silted up causing limited accessibility to the city and at which point commerce moved to the coast.

It seems to me that history has repeated itself, with Puerto de Indias leading the way by being the first brand to launch a Strawberry gin, which is now exported to 52 countries (and counting!) around the world.   I'd say that's dominating the flavoured gin market, much like their predecessors in the 16th Century led the way exporting and conquering the world.

The Spanish have been innovative and inventive through history.  I was surprised to read how so many items we today take for granted were invented by Spaniards!  

Mops, disposable hyperdermic needles, lollipops and much more.....and now a gin made from natural strawberries, which was perhaps created more by chance than intention!  

When a batch of Huelva strawberries preserved in alcohol and for use by local patisseries spoiled due to high temperatures, the distillery owners decided to experiment and Puerto de Indias Strawberry gin was born.  

This set a trend for strawberry gins worldwide, but none can claim to be the original strawberry gin!

THE PRESS TRIP

Our trip to Seville involved a very early meet at Gatwick with the rest of the group and once we landed in Seville, we were whisked away to Carmona for a little sightseeing tour around the town and then lunch before our visit to the distillery.

The Distillery was established in 1880 and is one of the oldest and most traditional distilleries in Andalusia.  It is nurtured by an underground water spring from Roman times, which is used to cool the 150 year old copper and modern stills onsite.  The fountains and running water create a unique microclimate in the distillery grounds, which have been sympathetically restored by the current owners, who saved the ailing distillery from closure several years ago.  

Only weeks before we visited, the distillery had another revamp with a bright and colourful paint job, reflecting their brand colours as well as the opening of a new visitor centre.  

BRANDING

I'm always drawn to unusual branding and bottles and symbolism that may be hidden within them.  

The Puerto de Indias bottle is inspired by the Torre del Oro - the symbol of Seville and which ties it to the history of the region.

The bottle was redesigned in 2015 and keeps evolving, with a new ombre version available soon. 

The range includes Classic, Pure Black, Strawberry, Blackberry and Orange Blossom & Peach.

Botanicals used are collected from the Andalusian countryside and although there are limitations to what they can change onsite at the historic distillery, they are working towards being as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible.  

WHITE CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY NEGRONI

25ml Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin

25ml Campari

20ml Rose Vermouth

10ml White Creme de Cacao Syrup

Garnish with a fresh strawberry

FLY TO CARMONA!

60ml Puerto de Indias Blackberry Gin (infused with butterfly pea flowers)

15ml Maraschino Liqueur

15ml Creme de Violette

15ml Lemon Juice (about half a lemon)

Garnish with a paper plane and/or maraschino cherry