Masterchef winner helps Cornwall distillery design new gin

English distiller Land of Saints has launched a summery gin to mark the opening of its new distillery in Cornwall.

Saint Clement Gin – designed by Masterchef winner Mat Follas – is the first gin to have been produced at Land of Saints’ state-of-the-art Black and Gold Organic Distillery in Ponsanooth, near Truro.

Saint Clement combines organic lemons and oranges with the 12 botanicals used in Land of Saints’ first release, the London dry-style Organic Gin.

It is the first gin that Follas has created since he was brought on as Land of Saints’ gin developer. As well as winning the Masterchef title in 2009, Follas is an international cider judge and a keen forager.

Land of Saints owners Mike and Sue Bearcroft and Laura Whyte hope their new distillery will help them to fulfil growing national and international demand for their spirits.

The brand’s gins are certified organic by the Biodynamic Association, using only organic grain and botanicals along with Cornish water. The company is also a registered social enterprise and has a partnership with Sir David Attenborough’s conservation charity Flora & Fauna International, to which it donates surplus profits.

Mike Bearcroft said: “Black and Gold Organic Distillery will now be able to supply the world from its state-of-the-art base. We’re thrilled to be helping to put Cornwall on the map when it comes to sustainability in spirits.”

St Clement Gin is available to buy online, as well as at various stockists across Cornwall.

Read about more Cornish distillers here.