Ampleforth Abbey is collaborating with York Gin (York Drinks Ltd) for the first time this autumn to produce a new limited-edition gin, distilled using apples hand-picked from Ampleforth Abbey’s 200-year-old orchard.
Ampleforth Abbey Orchard is home to more than 1,500 trees growing over 7 acres, with a succession of more than 50 varieties of apple which ripen naturally between August and January. One of the largest commercial orchards in the North of England, the orchard produces apple juice and full juice cider, crafted from a blend of dessert and culinary apples, pressed in the Abbey’s own Cider Mill where it is fermented and matured for eight months. No chemicals are applied to the orchard and instead the Ampleforth Abbey team use careful husbandry and selective pruning to encourage beneficial flora and fauna to flourish.
This year, Ampleforth Abbey’s apples have also been harvested to create an exclusive apple gin distilled by York Gin. The York Gin team hand-picked apples from the orchard in August, which were then distilled at their boutique distillery in the centre of York to create the new limited-edition gin – York Gin Ampleforth Apple.
York Gin Director Natalie Hall said: “Celebrating local produce and local heritage is central to the ethos of both York Gin and Ampleforth Abbey. York Gin Ampleforth Apple balances the flavours from this incredible orchard with specially selected botanicals including juniper, cinnamon and cardamom. It really captures the essence and history of Ampleforth Abbey - such a special place to so many people over the centuries.”
Large bottles of the new Ampleforth Abbey gin will be on-sale from Wednesday 15 October at the Ampleforth Abbey gift shop, the York Gin gift shop and at yorkgin.com. Miniature bottles will be exclusively available at the Abbey gift shop, where visitors can also purchase Ampleforth Abbey apple juice and Ampleforth Abbey cider.
Miles Skehan, Estate Manager at Ampleforth Abbey, said: “The orchard at Ampleforth Abbey produces around 15 tonnes of apples each year, all hand-picked by the Monastic Community, staff and volunteers. We are delighted to be collaborating with York Gin, so even more people can enjoy the apples harvested from our heritage orchard.”
Ampleforth Abbey is a working monastery with a number of attractions open to visitors, including the Abbey Church, Tearoom and Visitor Centre open daily. Entry is free for all visitors, and no booking is required.
Visitors to Ampleforth Abbey can also learn more about the history of apples at Ampleforth during October half-term when Ampleforth Abbey are hosting a series of apple-themed events as part of Apple Week from 25 October - 2 November.
