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Poetic License

Based in the Poetic License Distillery Bar and Soul Food (formerly The Roker Hotel), Mark Hird created the brand Poetic License after realising his potential to succeed in an industry where his expertise as a trained chef as well as food & bar manager, and the access his 12 thriving hotels gave him, would count for something.

He began with a microbrewery, which opened in 2012, and named it Sonnet 43, after the Elizabeth Barrett Browning poem. She was born just a stone’s throw from the brewery site. In late 2013, Luke Smith began working with Sonnet 43, and it wasn’t long before Hird moved on to his project, with Smith in mind.

Establishing a microdistillery of his own was Hird’s next ambition, and he hired Smith to become a full time gin distiller. By January 4th 2015, the project became official and Luke moved to begin working within Hird’s Roker Hotel. Using a 5 litre still to produce trial recipes, the duo distilled for a total of 7 months to create a London Dry Gin that they were happy with - which contains the exact same botanical bill they still use today.

With the recipe decided, Poetic License then set about perfecting its method, which began by crushing the botanicals in a home-brew malt mill. These are then steeped for 24 hours before distillation, which gives them time to macerate with the spirit. This one shot process allows them to produce two different gins at around 400 bottles in a batch.

It was unrealistic to expect that modest still to be able to handle the type of quantity Poetic Lecesne were hoping to be able to distill, so a new, 1.75 tonnes, 500 litres (working volume) still was imported from China. Named ‘Gracie’, assembling the still proved exceedingly difficult, and two days into the process she blew up. Following a further two more days with the electrician and some new parts, Gracie was brought to life.

Since then, things have been very good for Poetic License. The Gin Masters certainly seem to think so; in 2016 they awarded the Poetic Licence Old Tom Gin the distinction of Master in the Old Tom category and Poetic Licence Picnic Gin picked up Gold in the Flavoured category.

Poetic License Northern Dry Gin

70cl, 43.2%

A wonderfully presented dry gin from Sunderland that features Persian lime as part of its botanical selection.  More info

Poetic License Northern Dry Gin
15
$32.91

Poetic License Old Tom Gin

70cl, 41.6%

An Old Tom gin from the Poetic License distillery in Sunderland! tasting inspiration from the sweet style of gin popular in the 1800s, this tasty treat features hibiscus and rose petals as part of…  More info

Poetic License Old Tom Gin
6
$33.43
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Poetic License Club Tropicana Gin

50cl, 41.2%

A mango, passion fruit and pineapple flavoured gin from those maestros at Poetic License up in the north east. Full of fun and sunshine, there may not actually be enough for everyone, so grab a…  More info

Poetic License Club Tropicana Gin
$30.81

Poetic Licence Spiced Orange & Winter Berries Gin

70cl, 40.1%

Another expression from Poetic Licence's The Rarities range, and this one is a wonderful winter warmer! It features a combo of sloe, cranberry, and elderberry, alongside orange spiced with ginger,…  More info

Poetic Licence Spiced Orange & Winter Berries Gin
$37.76

Poetic License The Yorkshire Forager Gin

70cl, 43.2%

The Poetic License team has collaborated with Alysia Vasey (of Yorkshire Foragers fame) to created a marvellously fragrant and flavoursome gin! It features the likes of sweet cicely, Douglas fir,…  More info

Poetic License The Yorkshire Forager Gin
$35.96

Poetic License Baked Apple & Salted Caramel Gin Liqueur

50cl, 21%

A delightful gin liqueur from the Poetic Licence distillery in Sunderland, made in the team’s 500-litre hybrid still (named Gracie!) and using Poetic License Old Tom Gin as a base.  More info

Poetic License Baked Apple & Salted Caramel Gin Liqueur
2
$22.63

Poetic License Honey Bee Blossom Gin

70cl, 39%

Another superb release from Poetic License's The Rarities collection - this time, we need to thank the bees (beads?), because it's Honey Bee Blossom Gin! The bee pollen introduces fabulously floral,…  More info

Poetic License Honey Bee Blossom Gin
$37.76

Poetic License 5th Anniversary Gin - Ruby Port Cask

70cl, 50.5%

One of three cask aged expressions from the Poetic License Distillery, released to commemorate its fifth anniversary to honour the distillery's late founder, Mark Hird. This expression is an Old Tom…  More info

Poetic License 5th Anniversary Gin - Ruby Port Cask
$48.30
Price Drop

Poetic License Graceful Vodka

70cl, 40.4%

Want your vodka to be filled with grace? You'll want to try the Poetic License Graceful Vodka then. Made in Sunderland, this elegant treat is produced using 100% British wheat and is distilled 7…  More info

Poetic License Graceful Vodka
1
$36.91
$22.13

Poetic License Tutti Frutti Gin Liqueur

70cl, 21%

You've seen Poetic License's Tutti Frutti Gin, and now we present to you gin liqueur version from the very same folks! The fruity liqueur pays homage to the traditional Italian tutti frutti ice…  More info

Poetic License Tutti Frutti Gin Liqueur
$24.64

Poetic Licence Wild Tropix Gin

70cl, 41.2%

If fruity gins are your thing then you might already be familiar with the delicious range from Poetic Licence. Here we have a gin with a distinctly tropical profile (which you probably guessed from…  More info

Poetic Licence Wild Tropix Gin
$30.81

Poetic License 5th Anniversary Gin - Madeira Cask

70cl, 50.5%

As part of a trio of fifth anniversary bottlings, which also honour the distillery's late founder Mark Hird, this expression from the Poetic License Distillery is an Old Tom gin which has enjoyed 10…  More info

Poetic License 5th Anniversary Gin - Madeira Cask
$48.30

Poetic License Strawberries & Cream Gin

70cl, 37.5%

The perfect tipple to enjoy while watching Wimbledon? Perhaps, perhaps! Poetic License's Picnic Gin is packed full of strawberries and cream notes - they distil as well as infuse the botanicals to…  More info

Poetic License Strawberries & Cream Gin
10
$41.14

Poetic License Honey & Heather Gin

70cl, 40.1%

Another release from Poetic License's Rarities range, which showcases a host of wonderful flavour profiles. This time, the team used honey from The Travelling Bee Company, along with heather, to…  More info

Poetic License Honey & Heather Gin
$30.81

Poetic License 5th Anniversary Gin - Moscatel Cask

70cl, 50.5%

One of three gins released for Poetic License's fifth anniversary, and honouring the distillery's late founder Mark Hird, this particular expression was made using an Old Tom gin which was allowed to…  More info

Poetic License 5th Anniversary Gin - Moscatel Cask
$48.30

Poetic License Fireside Spiced Gin

70cl, 40.1%

A beautiful gin from Poetic Licence here that was designed to be enjoyed while cosying up around the fireplace.  More info

Poetic License Fireside Spiced Gin

Poetic License St. Clements Gin Liqueur

50cl, 21%

A delectable gin liqueur from the Sunderland-based spirits producer, Poetic License. St. Clements is a celebration of all things citrus! Made in the team’s 500-litre hybrid still affectionately named…  More info

Poetic License St. Clements Gin Liqueur

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