The Black Swan and Cooper King Distillery combine to create 'Yorkshire in a glass’
As if you didn’t know already, today (August 1st) is Yorkshire Day, and in honour of the occasion, two Yorkshire-based food and drink businesses - Michelin-starred restaurant, The Black Swan and Yorkshire’s self-built gin and whisky distillery, Cooper King Distillery - have got together for a very special collaboration.
The distillery, which only launched its inaugural, hand distilled Cooper King Dry Gin in May 2018 (using honey from the distillery’s beehives, lemongrass and a touch of locally-grown lavender), has been asked to produce a range of bespoke Yorkshire spirits for The Black Swan’s famous drinks list. The spirits will also make an appearance at The Black Swan’s new restaurant, Roots York, due to open this autumn.
@drinksattheblackswan_oldstead have been working with a local independent producer on an exciting collaboration. We can’t wait to share more information soon ✊🏼🌿🍸 • #announcement #comingsoon #yorkshireday #fromthegarden #localmade #collab #independents #foodanddrink #kitchengarden #yorkshire #northyorkshire #seasonal #botanicals #supportlocal #yorkshireproducers
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Founded in 2006, The Black Swan, which has been described as ‘a reflection of Oldstead; traditional Yorkshire with a swirling mix of creativity and eccentricity’, will celebrate its twelfth anniversary on Yorkshire Day 2018.
The restaurant was named ‘Travellers Choice Best Fine Dining Restaurant in the World’ by TripAdvisor in 2017, while head-chef Tommy Banks, who earned a Michelin star at just 24, won Great British Menu in both 2016 and 2017.
Cooper King Distillery is self-built and powered by 100% green energy
Following extensive trial distillations, the new spirits have been created using marigold flowers grown in the Black Swan’s two acre kitchen garden, which are picked, delivered and freshly distilled on the same day. As a result, the bespoke vacuum-distilled spirit has a stunning ‘Yorkshire summer-in-a-glass’ aroma and beautiful floral flavour. More spirits will be distilled as other fruit, flowers and herbs come into season.
Cooper King Distillery is based on the site of a former stable in Sutton-on-the-Forest in North Yorkshire. It was established by co-founders Chris Jaume, a chartered architect and Dr Abbie Neilson, a former scientist.
It is self-built and powered by 100% green energy. Their spirits are produced in micro-batches, combining innovative cold vacuum distillation with traditional hot copper-pot distillation, in a process that’s tailored to suit each individual botanical.
“It has been inspiring to follow Abbie and Chris's journey in setting up Cooper King Distillery,” said James Banks, co-owner at The Black Swan. “With their infectious enthusiasm and meticulous attention to detail, it is no surprise that they are doing so well.
“These amazing distillates are enabling us to improve clarity, freshness and intensity of flavour to our drinks.”
The Black Swan and Cooper King Distillery both have a history of working actively with local businesses with an aim to increase food tourism in the wider Yorkshire region.
