Isaac Newton has been reborn in Cambridge. This time in a distillery.
Deep in the idyllic village of Grantchester, England, Cambridge Distillery has redefined gin-making. Founded in 2012 by William and Lucy Lowe, the distillery crafts its spirits with precision, vacuum-distilling each ingredient individually at optimal temperatures. Inspired by the lush meadows surrounding the distillery, William, a Master of Wine, applies a unique nine-variable distillation matrix to preserve the natural essence of each element. The result? A gin so groundbreaking, it’s earned the distillery the title of “the world’s most innovative.”
The gin innermost flavours are derived from a descendent tree (a clone, technically) of Newton’s tree in Woolsthorpe Manor in Lincolnshire, England.
Founded in 2012, the distillery—often likened to a chemistry lab—uses cutting-edge vacuum distillation techniques to capture the essence of nature, inspired by the picturesque Grantchester Meadows.
William, a Master of Wine and a “gin tailor,” blends each gin with a precision once reserved for perfumers or winemakers. He customizes every bottle by vacuum-distilling individual ingredients, using a 17th-century method that ensures each flavor is preserved at its peak. The distillery’s unique approach blends artistry and science, resulting in what many call the world’s most innovative gin.
Rather than follow traditional methods, William, a Master of Wine, vacuum-distills each ingredient at its ideal temperature. This allows the flavors of the surrounding Grantchester Meadows to be bottled in their purest form. “It’s about preserving the exact moment nature is at its peak,” William explains.
The distillery’s interior feels more like a chemistry lab than a traditional gin-maker’s workshop, with beakers and round-bottom flasks taking center stage. William’s approach includes a unique nine-variable distillation matrix, which customizes everything from temperature to pressure, ensuring each bottle is perfectly tailored.
Reflecting on his philosophy, Williams says: “We’re not following tradition. We’re creating a new one.”
For William, gin-making is a combination of art and science, where each bottle is meticulously crafted like a work of art. His expertise in winemaking, coupled with his passion for innovation, has led to Cambridge Distillery being called “the world’s first gin tailor.”
What makes this even more remarkable is William’s multifaceted background: an Ironman triathlete, Kung Fu black belt, and now a PhD student. His determination and pursuit of excellence mirror the precision with which he crafts every bottle of gin.
