Espensen Spirit, a new range of Bristol-based flavoured vodkas, gins and whiskies has now been launched locally, founded by Sam Espensen and her business partner Phil Gillies.
Sam has been making booze for her friends and family for years, and in 2015 went into partnership with her friend Phil to turn her recipes into a one-of-a- kind business. The process has been a key part in Sam’s recovery from her difficult upbringing, which resulted in her being diagnosed last year with CPTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder) and TBIs (traumatic brain injuries). She is using Espensen Spirit as a platform to raise awareness of mental health issues, especially in the workplace.
Each and every drink in the Espensen range is made using fresh fruit, along with base alcohol from Langley Distillery. They contain no artificial colours or flavours, so have a shorter shelf life than most spirits, and are best drunk within a few months of being made.
Each of the launch products is available in 50cl, 20cl, 5cl and 3cl bottles: you’ll find:
- Gin Genie – Blueberry Gin
- Ruby Cuby – Rhubarb & Custard Vodka
- PG Sips – Pink Grapefruit & Raspberry Vodka
- Pump Up the Jam – Raspberry Gin.
The range is available from espensenspirit.com. Prices range from £3.25 for a 3cl bottle to £29.00 for a 50cl bottle of the Ruby Cuby. The range is also on sale at Independent Spirit in Bath.
Donations from the sale of every drink will be made to different local charities, including the homeless charity Caring in Bristol (close to Sam’s heart as she left home very young and slept rough/sofa-surfed), Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary, the Racehorse Rehoming Centre and a local cancer charity.
The bottles are Italian glass, and have been left unbranded in the hope that people will repurpose them once empty. The branding and names reflect the pair’s love of film, music, books and animals, with the labels illustrated by Somerset artist Richard Fry.