Derbyshire Gin – Reap & Sow’s Gin Shop

Explore the beautiful gin shop in Barlow, Derbyshire for a full range of gin related gifts from lovely, local, independent small businesses.

Barlow is a pretty village situated on the edge of the Peak District, but easily accessible from Chesterfield or Sheffield. Tucked away in the farmyard of Church Farm is the craft distillery and retail shop of Reap and Sow Spirits, a wonderful place for lovely, local, independent gifts. Run by Becky Morgan and partner Ade, Reap and Sow has developed several brands of Derbyshire gin. All are made on site, in small batches using traditional methods in their custom built distillery. Becky forages for many of the botanicals herself on the farm and in local woodlands.

Derbyshire gin

The star of the show is the Peak Heritage brand, a premium quality serious Derbyshire gin. The brand celebrates the history and beauty of the Peak District landscape and the local communities who live, love and work here. Quality, foraged botanicals are expertly blended with fresh, filtered Derbyshire spring water to create exceptionally good quality gins. Three flavours are available, the Master of the Peak master blend, Forager’s Blend and Hedgerow Harvest. The heavy glass bottle complete with leather detailing (made in house using sustainably sourced local leather) would make an impressive statement on a serious gin lovers’ bar.

The Heart of the Peak gin donates £2 from every bottle sold to CPRE, a local charity that works to protect the landscapes of the Peak District. CPRE have devised a 200 mile walking route around the entire boundary of the Peak District, which of course can be done in stages. The Reap and Sow Spirits gin shop sells the boundary walk book, which further supports this great cause. The book would be an excellent gift for ramblers, as would the ‘gin rambler pack’, a premium gift consisting of a stylish backpack and lots of gin related treats (and what could be better than a G&T fuelled hike?!)

The Grain Artisan range includes two award winning gins. The Signature blend is a smooth juniper rich London Dry Gin with notes of citrus and elderflower with a delicate sweet liquorice finish derived from fennel. Whilst the Derbyshire Blue is a smooth and dry botanical blend with the freshness of mint and a delicate fruit finish. The deep violet colour comes from butterfly pea flowers. I was pleased to learn that all of the gins feature only natural ingredients; there is absolutely nothing artificial or synthetic.

If you too are a genuine gin fan, check out the Gin is Dead brand. It’s the antithesis of the sugary, glittery, cheap ‘gins’ that have flooded the market in recent years. It’s an active protest against the bastardisation and synthetic corruption of gin and instead offers pure, traditional, London dry gin in all its exquisitely simple, juniper glory.

Natural botanicals & sustainability

I was impressed with the eco credentials of Reap and Sow. As well as being passionate about natural ingredients, they forage locally for botanicals and fruit as well as growing their own on the farm. The electricity used is 100% solar powered, they filter their own water onsite and either upcycle or compost spent botanicals.

Derbyshire gin related gifts

In addition to several other brands of Derbyshire gin, this quirky little shop offers a full range of gifts. Prices start at just £8 for a handmade candle and there are a range of beautifully presented gift packs. The shop also sells hand stitched cards, designed and made by Becky’s mum.

It was clear that Becky was immensely proud of her products and of the shop. The skill and quality was immediately evident, as well as a genuine passion to support the local economy. Much of the label artwork is the result of a long time collaboration with a local artist, Wayne Fallon. His original drawings can be seen on the walls. This truly is a lovely, local, indie brand.

Reap & Sow have several exciting collaborations in the pipeline with some iconic and quintessentially Derbyshire brands. Becky also has grand plans for tasting events, so keep your eyes out for those! In the meantime, please do support this wonderful small business. Once things start opening up again, it would be easy to make a wonderful day out in Barlow. Combine a mooch around the Derbyshire gin shop with breakfast at The Peacock, exploring the beautiful church or walking in the surrounding countryside, be pampered at The Barn beauty salon, coffee at Hackney House, or lunch at Tickled Trout. All of which are all worth a visit.

Reap and Sow Spirits gin shop is currently open Friday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm (parking is clearly signposted in the farm yard) or shop online here.