Introducing October’s enchanting spirit – Peddler’s Pins Gin!
Distilled in the shadows of Pendle Hill, shrouded in mystery and tales of witchcraft. Peddler’s Pins was inspired by a curse at the centre of Englands most infamous witch trials. Hand crafted with botanicals which were locally available to the Pendle Witches, and renowned for their healing properties.
The Gin
Peddler’s Pins is a dry gin with waves of delicate sour cherry giving way to a herby profile with peppery juniper and a subtle sweetness. Despite the playful colour, this gin lets the juniper do the talking, as always with Batch gins.
Inspiration
Junior Distiller, Ryan, has previously released two products into the Innovations Club, but Peddler’s Pins is his fist Gin.
Tasked with crafting a gin for October’s Innovations Club release, he drew inspiration from local stories of witchcraft and began to research the botanicals used in herbal remedies of the Pendle Witches.
Our story starts on March 18th 1612, Alison Device was on her way to Trawden forest, the young granddaughter of the notrious local witch, Demdike. While on her walk Alison stopped a peddler from Halifax, John Law, and asked him for a pin. 17th century metal pins were handmade and relatively expensive, but they were frequently needed for magical purposes. It’s not known if Alison was begging or intended to pay for the pin, but the Peddler refused the young girl. As the Peddler walked away and according to Alison’s own testimony her ‘familiar spirit’ in the shape of a dog appeared to her and asked if she would like him to harm Law. She commanded the dog to lame the Peddler and almost instantly John Law fell to the ground, paralysed down one side and unable to speak. The cursed Peddler was taken to a local inn to recover. Alison, filled with guilt and shocked by her successful hex rushed to his bedside to confess and begged for his forgiveness, which he gave. However, Law’s son Abraham became involved, and he was far from satisfied. He took the matter to Roger Nowell, the local magistrate, and from there, things snowballed at an alarming rate. After hearing the most awful admissions from those he interviewed, Nowell made many arrests. By the end of April nineteen people were incarcerated in Lancaster Castle, awaiting trial at the Assize.
Fast forward to September 2020, as the clouds rolled in over Pendle hill, bringing mist down into the dark mornings and hazy afternoons of autumn, Ryan fired up the stills ready to craft another spell-biding spirit filled with bewitching botanicals…
Botanicals
Angelica – To ward off evil, bring good fortune and a harmonious home life
Apple – The fruit of the gods
Cherry – The fruit of immortality
Cinnamon – For abundance, protection and love
Coriander – For good health
Hibiscus – Used in love spells, a potent aphrodisiac
Jasmin – For healthy dreams and meditation
Juniper – Provides good luck in love and attraction
Lavender – Ensures peace and purification
Lemon – Calming and healing
Mint – When grown in the garden brings good luck
Rosemary – To enhance intuition and psychic abilities
Sage – Is cleansing and healing
Thyme – For good health, attracts fortune, love and courage
Whether or not these botanicals will heal and protect it was great to acknowledge their significance in 17th century witchcraft and the part they may have played in local legacy and the history of the misunderstood families embroiled in the most famous witch trails in England.
Artwork
This month’s artwork is curtsy for Marketing Manager, Molly. The bewitching hand was hand painted with a cloud covered Pendle Hill, glimmering in the moonlight and holding two cherries, pricked with spell casting pins.
“Painting has been a real escape over lockdown, after showing Lady Jane, our Graphic Designer some of my little creations she encouraged me to work on the next Innovations Club release that was still without a label. That release was October gin. I love Halloween so I was really happy to turn my paintbrush to this product. I tried to tie in Ryan’s inspiration for the gin, the local legend of witchcraft and the significance of Pendle Hill along with the cherries – which subtly comes through in this herby, dry gin. Pendle Hill is the first thing I see as I drive down into Burnley from Rossendale each morning on my way to the distillery, so it was nice to include the ominous hill in the artwork.”
Perfect serve
Serve over plenty of ice, top with Mediterranean tonic and garnish with fresh cherries and a slice of lime. Or try Peddler’s Pins Gin in one of our cocktails for October.
Peddler’s Pins Gin is exclusive to our Innovations Club members. Become a member now to get your bottle with 25% OFF!
