Freelance drinks writer, judge and consultant, Sarah Miller, met Dryad Gin founder, Becky Wright, to find out what it was that set her on the path to gin perfection.
Speak to any number of small gin brand founders and you’re likely to hear a similar story about how their love of gin led to their pursuit of the perfect product.
However, this wasn’t the case for Becky Wright; her story, and the story of Dryad Gin, is one where community and connection comes first.
Following lockdown, and losing her mother Sheila in 2021, Becky felt the need to inject some fun and positivity back into her life and so enrolled on a seven-day gin-making course with distiller Jamie Baxter.
Having received encouraging feedback on her unusual choice of oak bark as a botanical, Becky continued to develop and refine the recipe herself but ultimately went on to have her gin distilled by a third-party producer because – by her own admission – she couldn’t afford the purchase of a large still.
But speaking to Becky it’s clear that’s not the only reason. Her passion isn’t particularly for making – or even drinking – gin, her passion is for the connections that gin helps to create.
That desire to bring people together is evident at Dryad Gin, where Becky called on local friends, craftspeople and artists to help create a brand – and, ultimately, an experience – that speaks of their place: Somerset’s Quantock Hills – England’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The connection to the Quantocks begins inside the bottle, with oak bark, inspired by the area’s ancient woodlands, which is used together with other botanicals, including juniper, cardamom, cinnamon, orange peel and almond.
The label, created by a local graphic designer and illustrator, also features the gnarled bark and leaves of the oak tree while the inner label, which one can peer into through a gap at the front of the bottle, was created by a local printmaker, depicting the dryad from which the brand takes its name.
Originating in Greek mythology, the dryad is an ethereal tree spirit that takes the form of a beautiful young woman and lives inside the tree connecting the whole forest through its far-reaching branches and extensive underground roots.
As such, the dryad also became a metaphor for what Becky wanted to do: reaching out into the community, making connections and creating a little magic!
And, it seems that she achieved it. Following the extensive closures of hospitality venues across Somerset, and a plea from the village hall to “use it or lose it”, Becky embarked on creating a pop-up pub to not only bring the community together over a dram or two of Dryad Gin but also, and more importantly, to combat social isolation and loneliness.
Appearing only in rural locations, where no local pub is currently in operation, The Dryad Inn is operated by local volunteers who benefit from learning valuable new skills.
They are also offered free mental health training by Becky to help them spot the signs of anyone who might need a little extra support.
By getting involved in creating recipes and cocktail-making the community is also given a sense of ownership of Dryad Gin, and even the tablecloths are designed to spark conversation and connection by featuring ancient Somerset language such as betwaddled (confused) and begrumpled (unhappy).
With a handful of impressive awards to its name, including a prestigious Gold Medal from The Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, a second spirit in the pipeline and a desire to bring the forest into the city, Dryad Gin is definitely one worth connecting with.
Having sampled the gin, here are my tasting notes:
Dryad Gin Centaur Oak London Dry
The inviting spiced nose opens with prominent notes of cardamom and juicy orange supported by a weighty, earthy backbone.
Tasted neat, bright citrus and juniper take the lead at the front of the palate, opening into well balanced gentle spices which give way to a long earthy finish with notes of cardamom.
The alcohol content is well handled so this is very pleasant to sip neat but the gin also opens up well and softens nicely with a drop of water, bringing some of the more earthy qualities to the fore.
Dryad Gin mixes well with quality tonics, which sweeten and lift the juniper and spiced notes, creating a flavourful and well-rounded G&T.
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