Four Years of Alchemy: a Master Distiller Takes Stock

“Romance and story-telling matter too. You need to engage the heart and soul as well as the tastebuds. I explored the Estate’s long history and found two inspirational figures. Charles Burrell Massingberd became Squire of South Ormsby Hall in 1802 and was known as a stylish moderniser, blending tradition with refinement. His second wife, born Marie Jeanne Rapigeon in pre-revolutionary France, brought the glamour of Versailles to the Lincolnshire Wolds and would become one of the Estate’s most charismatic and long-lived characters.

“This had the makings of a perfect marriage. ‘Burrell’ fitted a traditional, juniper led, London dry gin with a citrus glimmer, and ‘Marie Jeanne’ was spot-on for a pink gin that was sweet but understated and refined.

“Burrell’s Dry Gin debuted in April 2020 followed by Marie Jeanne’s Pink Gin in June 2020. We’d scheduled a big launch party and invited journalists and industry specialists. Unfortunately, Covid arrived and we had to launch in a more low-key way, relying heavily on social media and the loyal and lovely Friends of South Ormsby Estate.

“Later on, when lockdown had gone, we could get out and about and do plenty of face-to-face networking. We also had a boom in sales as individuals and businesses were ready to get out, explore and try new things again.

“Speaking of new things, I’ve relished the chance to create limited editions that roll with the seasons. The distillery, the landscape and a bit of playful craftsmanship have conjured up some unique tastes and textures, from Oak Aged to Mulled Winter Berry to Blood Orange and more. My last Massingberd-Mundy original is Nettle Infused Burrell’s Dry Gin; it’s sweet, it’s grassy, it’s earthy and it’s utterly unique. I’m bottling fewer than 100 bottles and once it’s gone, it’s gone.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed meeting gin aficionados, Wolds walkers, landlords, retailers and more over the years. They’ve all been lovely and I’m so grateful for their support. Chatting about my craft is always a pleasure, and it’s gratifying to see my distilling skills putting smiles on faces.

“I’m also enormously proud of the tributes my gins have received from professionals and taste-makers. Here’s a brief inventory of the trophy cabinet:

BURRELL’S DRY GIN

Drinks Product of the Year at the 2021 Lincolnshire Life Magazine Taste of Excellence Food & Drink Awards

Silver Medal at The 2021 London Spirits Competition

Gold Citation, Best Drinks Product of the Year, at the 2022 Lincolnshire Life Magazine Taste of Excellence Food & Drink Awards

MARIE JEANNE’S PINK GIN

No.1 Bestselling Pink Gin on the Members-Only Craft Gin Club E-shop in 2020

Gold (England – Flavoured Gin) at The 2021 World Gin Award (the only English gin to win a gold in 2021)

Bronze (88 out of 100) at the 2021 International Wine & Spirits Competition  (IWSC)

Winner at the 2021 Gin Guide Awards

“I’m taking so much from my time at the Massingberd-Mundy Distillery. I’d never created my own gins from scratch before, and I’ve honed my distilling craft. I’ve also had to get on top of profit-and-loss record-keeping, licensing and marketing. I’ve become a well-rounded commercial distiller and created award-winning gins that held their own against the big boys.

“I’ll be spending June distilling, fulfilling orders and ensuring that the Massingberd-Mundy Distillery is in tip-top shape, ready for the next artisan distiller to put their own stamp on things.

“It’s been quite a ride and I’m grateful for what has been a wonderful opportunity. I love my job and I think it’s one of the best in the world. That said, it’s time for a new start. I intend to take what I’ve learned and get creative again. Maybe I’ll explore English whisky. I’ll be out there with my endless to-do lists, setting up new processes, playing with flavours and creating a new brand.

“Watch this space and cheers!”

Tristan will call last orders at 12-noon on Tuesday 20th June. We’ll then be closed to online orders until our new distiller takes charge in the not-too-distant future. To claim your piece of distilling history while stocks last, head to our gin page HERE.

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