Cornwall LivingIssue #107
Thirst for success
Three years, three locations and three lockdowns, and The Little Gin Shack story is still very much unfolding.
Despite an incredibly challenging last year, with the many and varied restrictions placed on our lives during the Coronavirus pandemic, Neil and Lee Roberts’ dream of running their own gin shop and bar is still very much alive, and The Little Gin Shack story only continues to evolve.
So what can you expect to find inside? “We stock a vast array of local gins, from the Isles of Scilly to Torpoint,” explains Neil, “covering virtually every distiller in Cornwall. To complement our range, we are also proud to stock some of our favourite gins from around the world.”
As something of a connoisseur, with Neil’s help, you’ll never buy ‘blind’ when you buy from the Little Gin Shack. Along with Jan – the store manager – Neil and the team are always delighted to offer tiny tastings of the gin they sell, ensuring that you leave with a gin and serving suggestion that you like. As Neil says: “It’s not a service you’ll get from a supermarket or online!”
As with any other business, quality control is at the top of the list of priorities here. “We have two simple philosophies,” says Neil. “Either Lee, Jan or I have to love the gin, and the bottle has to appeal to the purchaser. Poor gin in a fancy bottle simply does not cut it with us!
Interested to find out more, we ask how The Little Gin Shack helps ensure customers find the perfect tipple for their tastebuds. “We purposely do not have a ‘gin menu’,” says Neil, who, along with Jan and the team, prefers to establish the type of gin you like, be that traditional, dry, fruity or spicy. “We will then offer you a taster (with an appropriate mixer, of course) and once you’re happy, serve your choice perfectly, in a proper glass, and with the correct garnish.”
“We apply the same philosophy to the Cornish rum, vodka, brandy, liqueurs, beers and ciders that we stock too,” continues Neil, and it certainly seems that their approach is being noticed; the Little Gin Shack was recently included in the top 10 Independent Shops review conducted by Reach, as well as an award conducted by mystery shoppers and based on TripAdvisor reviews.
Not a team to rest on their laurels, Neil, Lee and co have recently added yet another string to their bow, now offering a full bar service. This allows you to come in and relax into the next phase of your day, whether it’s a gin before lunch, or an aperitif before dinner at one of Wadebridge’s superb restaurants. Even if you’re looking for a venue to spend a relaxing evening out, then as Neil tells us: “We are your destination!”
We couldn’t agree more, and if you’re in Wadebridge and find yourself with a thirst, we can’t think of anywhere better to quench it than at The Little Gin Shack.
The Little Gin Shack
07740 639565
DID YOU KNOW?
If spirits aren’t your bag, The Little Gin Shack also serves Atlantic Brewery’s Fistral Pilsner, alongside a range of conditioned ales, as well as soft drinks.
