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Gavin & Stacey-inspired spirits launch
A couple from Barry Island in Wales have created a limited edition line of Gavin & Stacey-inspired spirits.
The portfolio was created by Claire and Tim Whalley, founders of Barry Island Spirits Co. It includes a Barry Island gin, pink gin, rum, and vodka, with each presented in 500ml bottles that feature artwork inspired by the show.
The release comes ahead of the British sitcom’s finale, which will air on BBC One in the UK on Christmas Day (Wednesday).
Claire Whalley said: “When we found out that the final episode of Gavin & Stacey was coming out, we wanted to do something to commemorate it. Our shop is just around the corner from Trinity Street [where some of the show is filmed] and the cast filmed some of the Christmas Special on Hood Road where we run our bar, Craft Republic.”
Claire also confirmed that Rob Brydon, who plays Uncle Bryn in the show, gave the new designs “a thumbs up” when he visited the brand at CarFest in August.
“His wife bought a bottle of our dry gin and they stopped for a chat, asking how everything was going. He really liked the artwork and even pointed himself out in the outline,” she said.
Claire added: “We were contacted by Tidy Productions on their final day of filming as the director wanted some Barry Island Welsh Dry Gin hampers to present as gifts at the wrap party, so maybe James [Cordon] and Ruth [Jones] will be sipping our gin watching the Christmas special.”
Surprising demand
Barry Island Spirits Co is described as an ‘accidental’ second business for the couple, after it started off as an idea to develop a house gin to be enjoyed in the pair’s bar.
However, the gin was so popular that they decided to launch a spirits range.
Now, they have a dedicated high street store and supply bottles to shops and restaurants, including chef Heston Blumenthal’s Michelin-starred restaurant the Hinds Head at Bray.
Claire added: “When we launched the gin we thought we’d sell a bottle a week max, but the demand surprised us. In the first four months we sold 2,000 bottles and to date we’ve sold tens of thousands.
“We realised that what started out as an add on to the bar had infinite growth potential. Now we want to grow the brand and continue to enjoy our work in and around Barry Island by taking our spirits out on the road to markets and festivals all year round and coming up with creative limited editions like the G&S Edition bottles.
“As we’ve only had a limited number of these bottles made we’ll be hand-numbering each one before they’re sent out,” Claire added, noting that “a bottle of our Welsh Dry Gin, pink gin, spiced rum or organic vodka will be the perfect gift for fans as they prepare to watch the final episode.”
As of the beginning of December, the couple had sold half of the 1,000 bottles available in the limited run.
The limited edition bottles are available from barryislandspirits.co.uk and retail at £40 (US$50) each.
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