Bucks &amp; Oxon


<p>Four years ago Oxfordshire business Sky Wave Gin delivered a batch of their new gin venture to our office and asked us to give them some feedback. We loved it, but we weren&#8217;t the only ones &#8211; 18 months later they&#8217;d snagged a World&#8217;s Best Contemporary Gin award for their Signature London Dry Gin. Zip to 2022 and Sky Wave has a shiny new event space at the historic Bicester Heritage (a former WW2 RAF base), and whole lot to shout about, so grab your gin goblet, get jiggy with your juniper berries and come on a tour behind the scenes with me.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prop-up-the-bar">Prop up the bar </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-BIT05566-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-140135" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-BIT05566-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-BIT05566-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-BIT05566-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-BIT05566-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-BIT05566.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Okay, technically it&#8217;s not a bar &#8211; not just yet. But Sky Wave Gin&#8217;s sleek new boutique and tasting space at Bicester Heritage, a former WW2 RAF base, is set to open in the evenings once a bar manager is in situ (watch this space &#8211; Muddy will update you as soon as it happens). </p>



<p>Currently, the space is used for Sky Wave Gin&#8217;s distillery, tasting and cocktail-making experiences, in which visitors get to poke around the shiny distillery next door and meet stills Tilly, Tessa and Basca (all named after co-founders Rachel and Andy&#8217;s dogs). I took a peek on my visit there, and not only does the room smell<em> amazing</em>, it&#8217;s also a fascinating insight into the process &#8211; and a reminder that despite winning a mind-boggling  39 international awards in the four years they&#8217;ve been running, Sky Wave Gin is still very much an indie operation. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2040.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-140130" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2040.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2040-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2040-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2040-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2040-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2041.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-140131" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2041.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2041-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2041-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2041-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2041-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2041-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The tasting space itself is small and perfectly formed, with enough space to seat 20 people (although I think ten is the sweet spot here), and interesting tidbits on every inch of the well-decorated walls. Artwork includes dedications to Lilian Rolfe, an Allied secret agent who was based out of the Bicester site, and pictures of the Blenheim Bombers &#8211; no surprise here, as Sky Wave Gin has a distinctly aeronautical theme (the clue&#8217;s in the name), with recipes inspired by Winston Churchill with distilled water from Blenheim Palace itself. There are also shots of owners Rachel and Andy performing death-defying stunts such as wing walking (Rachel) and mountaineering (Andy). Our advice; imbibe a medicinal bottle of Sky Wave if you&#8217;re thinking of attempting something similarly insane.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-BIT04734-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-140137" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-BIT04734-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-BIT04734-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-BIT04734-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-BIT04734-1-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-BIT04734-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You&#8217;ll see rows and rows of Sky Wave Gin&#8217;s products on display, as the tasting space also operates as a boutique for picking up your preferred tipple. Despite being somewhat squirrelled away at Bicester Heritage (I had to be given directions on arrival to the estate), it&#8217;s a surprisingly popular spot. Three people arrive to buy in the hour I&#8217;m there, including a couple who own every flavour of Sky Wave Gin (also the limited editions!), and a chap who&#8217;s popped in from McLaren to buy a present for his girlfriend. Rachel gives him recommendations based on his girlfriend&#8217;s tastes, including tonics for pairing, and he goes away a happy man. FYI there are also tutored gin tastings on offer on Saturdays (£24pp) if you&#8217;re looking for to, you know, &#8216;road test&#8217; the advice.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2042-750x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-140132" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2042-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2042-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2042-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2042-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2042-394x525.jpg 394w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-IMG_2042.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A new lease of life for Old Tom</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1832" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-Old-Tom-Gin.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-140144" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-Old-Tom-Gin.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-Old-Tom-Gin-655x800.jpg 655w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-Old-Tom-Gin-819x1000.jpg 819w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-Old-Tom-Gin-328x400.jpg 328w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-Old-Tom-Gin-1258x1536.jpg 1258w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Sky-Wave-Gin-Old-Tom-Gin-430x525.jpg 430w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Just released last week, and straight to the top of the Christmas list, Old Tom Gin is inspired by a 17th century style of gin, back when the spirit was a lot less regulated and people were chucking everything from sawdust to turpentine in their batches. As you can imagine, this tasted terrible, so the original Old Tom was spiced and sweetened to mask the taste. Sky Wave Gin has kept the spicy sweetness of the 17th century recipes but sensibly held off on the sawdust, and the result is a lip-smacking little number that connoisseurs might like to drink neat. The warmth from the spices makes it ideal for winter, although I can also imagine this making for an excellent cocktail in summer too &#8211; great for gin beginners.</p>



<p>As with all Sky Wave Gins, a portion of the profits is donated to the company&#8217;s brand new charity partner, Rona Sailing Project. Run out of the Southampton, this volunteer-based charity not only trains young people aged 14 to 25, it also works with vulnerable adults living with cancer, mental health issues and learning disabilities, as well as those recovering from substance misuse and addiction.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Rona-boat.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-140148" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Rona-boat.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Rona-boat-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Rona-boat-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Rona-boat-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Rona-boat-788x525.jpeg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Sky Wave Gin sponsors the training vessel for the 300-some volunteers, which is keeping with the company&#8217;s sprit of adventure ethos while still giving back to those in need. In other words, that&#8217;s a guilt-free G&amp;T right there. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Message in a bottle</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/1-14-SWD-RW007-Desert-landscape-1000x667.png" alt="" class="wp-image-140149" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/1-14-SWD-RW007-Desert-landscape-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/1-14-SWD-RW007-Desert-landscape-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/1-14-SWD-RW007-Desert-landscape-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/1-14-SWD-RW007-Desert-landscape-788x525.png 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/1-14-SWD-RW007-Desert-landscape.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;ve spent your gin budget for 2022, then look ahead to early summer next year, when Sky Wave Gin will be updating their bottles to these seriously luxe, Art Deco-inspired designs, following their successful crowdfunding campaign (<a href="https://www.seedrs.com/sky-wave-gin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">you can still sign up</a> at time of writing, but they&#8217;re already smashed their £185k target with over £200k raised). This is great news for anyone who loves Sky Wave Gin but found the bottle a bit &#8216;meh&#8217; (including co-founder Rachel, who agrees that the basic look of their current bottles belies the world-class gin within) &#8211; and, even better, the new bottles are slightly bigger, going from 50ml to 70ml. I&#8217;ll drink to that! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/1-17-SWD-RW007-Three-bottles-line-up-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-140152" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/1-17-SWD-RW007-Three-bottles-line-up-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/1-17-SWD-RW007-Three-bottles-line-up-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/1-17-SWD-RW007-Three-bottles-line-up-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/1-17-SWD-RW007-Three-bottles-line-up-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/1-17-SWD-RW007-Three-bottles-line-up.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Win a gin-lover&#8217;s weekend with Sky Wave Gin, worth £500!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Muddy-Sky-Wave-Gin-Hamper-Prize-22-2-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-140262" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Muddy-Sky-Wave-Gin-Hamper-Prize-22-2-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Muddy-Sky-Wave-Gin-Hamper-Prize-22-2-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Muddy-Sky-Wave-Gin-Hamper-Prize-22-2-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Muddy-Sky-Wave-Gin-Hamper-Prize-22-2-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/12/Muddy-Sky-Wave-Gin-Hamper-Prize-22-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Muddy elves have put together a whopping <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/reader-treats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>15 Days of Christmas</strong></a> Reader Treats this year including a gin-tasting experience at Sky Wave Gin’s sleek new tasting space and bar. You&#8217;ll also get two nights in a cosy converted&nbsp;<a href="https://bicesterheritage.co.uk/stay" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RAF Crew Room on the Bicester Heritage site</a> (within staggering distance of the distillery) and luxury gin hamper filled to the brim with supplies for the perfect G&amp;T (or three!). <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/reader-treats/win-skywave-gin-experience-oxfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Enter before 15 December to win!</a> </p>



<p><em>Find <a href="https://www.skywavegin.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky Wave Gin</a> at The North Tanker Sheds 105, Bicester Heritage, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX27 8AL</em>. <em>Tel: 01869 713813</em></p>


New bar, booze and bottles: behind the scenes with Sky Wave Gin

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New bar, booze and bottles: behind the scenes with Sky Wave Gin ￼

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New bar, booze and bottles: behind the scenes with Sky Wave Gin