The Kennet Crayfish Company and Hawkridge Distillers launch Kennet Crayfish Gin

A Thatcham company has launched a new craft gin that is flavoured using crayfish caught in the riverbanks of the Kennet.

The Kennet Crayfish Company – which has its offices in Lower Way – has teamed up with Hampstead Norreys-based Hawkridge Distillers to launch Kennet Crayfish Gin.

The strange-sounding new spirit uses crayfish claw shells and botanicals such as lemon, watercress and dill to create its unique taste.

The producers of the gin said: “The distilling process releases not only the sweet delicate taste of the claws but a crayfish oil that creates a new top-quality mellow gin, smoothing the edges of the botanicals and enhancing the flavour of mixers rather than competing with them.”

You can purchase Kennet Crayfish Gin through The Kennet Crayfish Company’s website for £40 per 70cl bottle or at £6.50 for a small taster 5cl bottle.

The Kennet Crayfish Company’s managing director Andrew Leech said: “We are proud of our quality crayfish product.

“However, I felt that there were opportunities for us to develop exciting and tasty products from the humble crayfish shells leftover after extracting the meat, and then I had the idea to create a gin.

“Mad as that sounded, talking to various professionals in the drinks trade I was encouraged to explore this further and so our gin journey began.

“I am delighted that after meeting, Phil Howarth, managing director of Hawkridge Distillers, he too thought that a crayfish gin could be winner, and I am delighted with the Kennet gin product that has emerged.”

Mr Howarth added: “When Andrew approached us with the idea of distilling crayfish claws to make a gin, I was intrigued and excited at the prospect and certainly up for the challenge.

“We created the final product over numerous distillations, macerating and infusing the complimentary botanicals in our 400L copper pot still, Victoria.

“The premium gin blend we have created for Kennet Crayfish is fresh on the nose, sweet on the palate and delivers a beautiful citrus and herbaceous complexity.

“We are delighted with the final product and very pleasantly surprised at what a wonderful botanical crayfish claws have proven to be.”