Phil Howarth is the Managing Director, Hawkridge Gin, in Compton, making bespoke gin for outlets across West Berkshire. Phil describes the gin making process, the making of bespoke gins and the history behind the names used. Phil has been suppling venues across West Berkshire, such as The Vineyard in Stockcross and Berkshire Brewery in Yattendon.

Recently, the distillery had halted production of its hop-infused gin and turned its attention to manufacturing alcohol-based hand sanitiser – a product currently in huge demand worldwide and has been selling at highly inflated prices – which it is now supplying to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the NHS South Central Ambulance Service and others.