A SPECIAL event is being held to celebrate the second batch of the only gin to be distilled with wine made from English-grown grapes.

Foxhole Spirits, based in Bolney, has teamed up with Brighton’s Plotting Parlour for the event on Monday from 6.30pm.

Gin lovers can be the first to taste the batch at the Steine Street bar with tickets priced at £5.

On arrival guests will get a complimentary Foxhole Gin cocktail and a personal tasting of the new batch with Foxhole Spirits co-founder James Oag-Cooper.

There will also be canapes as well as a number of gin-based cocktails on offer.

The gin is the first to be distilled with wine made from English-grown grapes picked from Sussex vineyards.

Luke Loddo, bar manager of The Plotting Parlour, said: “We’re massive supporters of small batch producers, especially those which are on our doorstep.

“Foxhole Gin is not just a great gin, it has a great story behind it too, so we’re excited to give our customers the opportunity to taste it and meet the people who make it.”

Foxhole was set up by friends Sam Linter and James Oag-Cooper and they use grapes from the Bolney Wine Estate.

They then make the gin at their distillery which is in nearby Albury.

Mr Oag-Cooper said: “It takes two days to distil the wine into grape spirit; another two days to blend it with neutral spirit and carefully selected botanicals.

“Then it’s back to the still for a second time, and the real magic happens.

“But because no two grape vintages are the same, our raw material changes from year to year, too.

“So we work with our distillers to achieve the perfect flavour balance and ensure consistent quality.

“The result is a smooth, aromatic gin and the flavours subtly change with each new harvest.

“To be honest, we couldn’t make it any quicker, even if we wanted to.

“We think you’ll agree it’s definitely worth taking time over.”

He said the gin reflects the characteristics and flavours of the English countryside.

He said: “Along with the grapes, this premium London Dry Gin is also infused with the botanicals juniper, coriander, angelica root, orris root, liquorice root, bitter orange, fresh lemon zest, grapefruit zest, angelica seed and diluted with natural spring water.”

Tickets are available via the Eventbrite website. Visit eventbrite.co.uk.