{"title":"Spirit of the Downs","description":"\u003cp\u003eMichael Yeoman, the distiller at the Spirit of the Downs was inspired by assisting with the annual harvest for his friend Peter Hall who runs Breaky Bottom vineyard at Rodmell, near Lewes in West Sussex.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeter and his wife Christine have been making wine for over 45 years and have won many awards for their Champagne Method English sparkling wines. As they were working the press for the 2017 harvest, Michael saw that the grapes were only being pressed lightly to prevent any bitterness coming through into the eventual sparkling cuvée. When the wine press was emptied, the grapes were then wheelbarrowed to the compost heap at the back of the winery to be mulched down. It seemed such a waste to effectively dump that pomace when it had so much juice and flavour in it. He knew that many wine producing countries such as France and Italy produce their own characteristic spirits such as Eau De Vie (Water of Life) and Grappa so wondered how one made in the South of England would turn out. He asked Peter if he would let him take some pomace to create a “grappa” and so plans for the first spirit were born.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe first Spirit of the Downs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMichael and Angus (one of the Breaky Bottom winemakers), decided to create a small amount of ferment in order to create a first sample of Grape Spirit. The first Spirit surprised them in terms of freshness on the nose with sweetness from the grapes coming through on the palate. The Spirit was excellent on its own or with a piece of ice or when mixed with soda water and bitters. Because of the success of the first run they decided to create a larger run of 120 bottles for the 2018 harvest using old German fermentation tanks kindly borrowed from Breaky Bottom Vineyard.    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter successfully creating an initial Grape Spirit, as a Cognac lover, Michael was keen to create a Sussex brandy using the grapes and pomace from English Sparkling wine. So, in 2019, he focused on producing both a larger quantity of Grape Spirit and also his first Sussex grape brandy. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first releases won 3 stars at the Great Taste Awards and two medals at the International Wine \u0026amp; Spirits Competition. In their first official release in 2019 they launched two Brandies and one Grape Spirit and entered them into Great Taste Awards and International Wine and Spirits Challenge (IWSC). The clear Grape Spirit was made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes providing plum and dark fruits whilst the Brandy was made from Chardonnay, one aged in English Oak barrels which gave Honeysuckle and Caramel notes in between an Armagnac and Calvados, the other aged with Oak from old Cognac barrels, giving Crème Brulée and Sultanas with Oak and Vanilla similar to a VS Cognac. These won two Great Taste Awards and two medals at IWCS for the 2019 Vintages.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"boosy-barista-coffee-liqueur-70cl","title":"Boosy Barista Coffee Liqueur, 70cl","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis high quality coffee liqueur uses English Sussex Brandy aged in French oak for its base. Add a classic coffee blend from Award Winning Coffee Roaster \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.beansmitten.co.uk\/\" title=\"Bean Smitten Coffee Roasters\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBean Smitten\u003c\/a\u003e and you get a bold, upfront liqueur, with chocolate and caramel notes and a silky mouthfeel. It's great on its own over ice, or as part of an Espresso Martini cocktail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe signature Sussex French Aged Brandy is made using grapes from the best Sussex Sparkling Wine producers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSilver Medal at the World Liqueur Awards 2025\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spirit of the Downs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54047402328449,"sku":"5065007131176","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0698\/3896\/2981\/files\/boosy-barista-70cl-165359.jpg?v=1742920511"},{"product_id":"spirit-of-the-downs-english-sussex-brandy-70cl","title":"Spirit of the Downs English Sussex Brandy, 50cl","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis English Brandy has been lovingly hand-crafted by The Spirit of the Downs Distillery in Sussex. Using 100% Chardonnay grapes grown locally at Breaky Bottom Vineyard, it is distilled from the crop of a single vintage: 2021 before ageing in English Oak barrels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis brandy has delicate floral notes with white pepper and a light caramel with spice and oak on the nose. On the palate, there is nuttiness, hazelnut, apricot and marzipan with a warm lingering finish. Perfect on its own or as long drink with ginger ale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nose of sandalwood and vanilla with a rich, complex palate of crème brûlée, almond, sultanas, and vanilla.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spirit of the Downs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54135948706177,"sku":"5065007131138","price":37.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0698\/3896\/2981\/files\/spirit-of-the-downs-english-sussex-brandy-70cl-845416.jpg?v=1742602914"},{"product_id":"spirit-of-the-downs-english-cask-strength-brandy-50cl","title":"Spirit of the Downs English Cask Strength Brandy, 50cl","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis extremely rare cask strength English Brandy has been lovingly hand-crafted by The Spirit of the Downs Distillery in Sussex. Using 100% Chardonnay grapes grown locally at Tickerage Vineyard, it is distilled from the crop of a single vintage: 2021 before ageing in French Oak barrels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFLAVOUR PROFILE\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eCask strength spirit made with the pomace of local Chardonnay grapes has been aged with three different types of Oak to give a rich, aromatic and robust Brandy which is complex with notes of oak and vanilla with a smooth lingering finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAt 61% volume this is one of the world’s highest strength Brandies, one to enjoy and cherish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spirit of the Downs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54166380839297,"sku":"SOTD-CASK_ST-BRANDY-001","price":91.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0698\/3896\/2981\/files\/spirit-of-the-downs-english-cask-strength-brandy-50cl-968465.webp?v=1742920507"},{"product_id":"spirit-of-the-downs-distillery-tour","title":"Spirit of the Downs Distillery Tour","description":"\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eDiscover how The Spirit of the Downs make their Sussex brandies and Grape vodka, following every step of the journey from grape to glass. You will gain an insight to what makes their spirits special and also have a guided spirits tasting giving you a chance to truly appreciate the distillery's range of spirits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDuration:\u003c\/strong\u003e 45-60 minutes\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTasting: \u003c\/strong\u003e8 spirits\/liqueurs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays and Times:\u003c\/strong\u003e Saturdays at 13:00 and 15.00\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExclusive offer when you buy this tour: \u003cstrong\u003eget £3 OFF a 50cl bottle of Spirit of the Downs Brandy\u003c\/strong\u003e bought online at Digital Distiller with any purchase of an Adult Ticket for a Spirit of the Downs Distillery Tour. \u003csmall\u003eCode sent after ticket purchase. See \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Promotional Terms and Conditions\" href=\"\/pages\/promotional-terms-conditions\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePromotional Terms \u0026amp; Conditions\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/small\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Ticket\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e for 1 person\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e- for one adult\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Ticket for 2\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003epeople \u003c\/strong\u003e- for two people visiting together\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Ticket for 4 people\u003c\/strong\u003e - for four people visiting together\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAfter placing your order, you will be emailed your ticket together with instructions on how to book your tour at the time and date of your choice.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spirit of the Downs","offers":[{"title":"1 x Adult","offer_id":55378760827265,"sku":"SOTD-DT-001","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 x Adults","offer_id":55437096911233,"sku":"SOTD-DT-002","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 x Adults","offer_id":55437101629825,"sku":"SOTD-DT-004","price":80.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0698\/3896\/2981\/files\/spirit-of-the-downs-distillery-tour-distillery-tours-spirit-of-the-downs-digital-distiller-2809544.jpg?v=1772573590"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0698\/3896\/2981\/collections\/spirit-of-the-downs-7782085.jpg?v=1772490012","url":"https:\/\/www.digidistiller.com\/collections\/spirit-of-the-downs.oembed","provider":"Digital Distiller","version":"1.0","type":"link"}