“Not all gins are made equal”: Masons of Yorkshire celebrates 10th anniversary with Limited Edition

Masons of Yorkshire has launched a Limited Edition London Dry gin to celebrate 10 years of gin making. The distillery was the first to open in Yorkshire, and an early beneficiary of the gin boom that has swept the UK and beyond. 

The brand has since played a significant role in the growth of the gin industry in Yorkshire, helping more than 60 other distilleries to open in the county: 

“We’re proud to have been one of the founding companies here that showed gin from Yorkshire has a place, and hopefully we’re a source of inspiration to other gins that have experienced success too.” 

Masons of Yorkshire says it always intended to take a purist approach.

Its 10th anniversary special edition gin has been crafted to be juniper rich. The gin features two different varieties of juniper, distilled three ways: pot still, vapour basket, and vacuum distillation. Additional complexity comes from botanicals such as coriander, fresh lime, bay leaf, and Szechuan pepper.  

On the nose, the Limited Edition offers an intricate mix of juniper and coriander, with dried citrus peel in the background. On the palate strong juniper, is crossed with pine, and sweet berries.

Bottled at 52% ABV, 10% higher in ABV than the Masons of Yorkshire Original, the release comes in a smart presentation box with foiled copper detailing.  

Masons of Yorkshire interview: “No gimmicks, no shortcuts and absolutely no compromises!”

To learn more about Masons of Yorkshire, The Luxe Review talked exclusively to co-founder Karl Mason, about the brand’s journey in gin.

A decade ago, Karl and Cathy Mason set up a Facebook page about one of their favourite topics, gin. They posted about their favourite brands, and soon amassed some 10,000 followers on the platform.

The time had come to take their obsession with Mother’s Ruin to another level. 

Today, Masons of Yorkshire employs 24 people, and operates from a state-of-the-art distillery in Bedale, that people can come visit. It exports all over the world. 

Could you share some insights into the inspiration and unique elements that make this Limited Edition gin special?

Masons of Yorkshire: “Since we started, we’ve set out to create a different gin, a cut above the rest. To mark our 10 year anniversary, our ‘Decade of Distilling’ Gin celebrates, quite simply, what made us fall in love with gin. And that is Juniper! We’ve also packaged it up in a beautifully presented gift box, to give a sense of occasion and make this a perfect gift for the gin lovers in your life.”

With so many gins available in the market, what sets Masons of Yorkshire apart from other gins, in terms of flavour profile and botanical selection?

“We really do believe not all gins are made equal. No gimmicks, no shortcuts and absolutely no compromises. A lot of the gins on the market today are not really gin, they are just flavoured alcohol, claiming to be gin to cash in on the gin boom. We take a different approach, we never went pink.

“We never add any flavour that hasn’t been distilled. We call this the Masons way, with no gimmicks, no shortcuts and absolutely no compromises. Simply the purest and most delicious gin, made properly!”

As a gin maker with a purist approach, how do you balance tradition with innovation in your gin-making process, especially while creating Limited Edition releases? 

“All our flavours come from the distilling process and we never resort to using fruit juice or flavourings to cut corners.” 

What trends or changes have you observed in consumer preferences when it comes to gin, and how do you keep up with these shifting demands?

“Masons of Yorkshire: “Volume is down in the category as a whole in 2023 – as much as 25 per cent in some channels. A continuous launch of new brands and flavours is now unsustainable and the focus has to be on the quality of the existing flavours and re-enforcing the quality message – no gimmicks!”

Gin cocktails are perennially popular. Are there any specific cocktail creations that you recommend trying with this Limited Edition to fully appreciate its unique character?

“You really want the Juniper to shine through, so I’d recommend something classic like a Martini, or if you’re going to go G&T, then keep it simple with a plain, premium choice. Lots of ice, a bit of sunshine and you’re got the perfect summer.”

Masons of Yorkshire 10 anniversary limited Edition is available online, priced at £45 a bottle.