Meet the Maker: Papillon Distillery on Dartmoor
After an unwelcome break because of Covid we are so glad to be back out there meeting the people behind our favourite spirits. Our visit to Papillon Distillery was long overdue and, as the distillery is based in the same area of Dartmoor National Park as the Azu head office, we’re lucky to have one of our favourite local gins right on our doorstep.
The Flavours
Part of both the Devon Gins and South West Specialist in our regional craft spirits collections, this gin is distinct and unique yet in no way overbearing; the delicate feel and floral notes make this a perfect sipping gin, a wonderful illustration of the individuality that can only be found in craft spirits.
The sense of place is one of the elements that make Papillon so attractive and we’ve been a big fan since we started our journey exploring craft gins. The flavours inspired by the Dartmoor countryside include Devon violets, gorse, rowan and hawthorn berries. The botanicals used in their release Carabus (named after the Blue Ground Beetle) are inspired by the area’s rich woodland, with nettles and wood sorrel promoting local ecology.
The Spirits
In the five years years since Papillon was first established, their original London dry gin has won numerous awards for its quality in flavour and care for the natural environment. During our visit we were lucky enough to taste the rest of their selection, which includes a navy strength, a sloe gin, a limited edition gin created in partnership with nature presenter Nick Baker, and Mariposa, their original gin aged in sherry casks.
The Mariposa, matured in Pedro Ximenez casks, instantly caught our eye. It’s dark and sweet, with a likeness to whisky. The flavour is complex - a fireside Christmas spirit - perfect neat with the spiced, oaky tones not overpowering the distillery’s distinct florality. This is a great gin for someone looking for something a bit different. The Admiral, their navy strength, surprised us with how palatable it is. The subtle spice and heat are wonderfully balanced with the floral notes, with a citrus burst for good measure.
The Purpose
It’s not just the flavour that drives founders Claire and Adam. During our conversation it became clear that their passion for their local area is really what drives the nature of the gins from this distillery.
Both are driven by a love of the natural environment, and work closely with local organisations like Buglife & Butterfly Conservation to support local conservation efforts, running surveys and raising money to help promote wildlife - 1% of sales are donated to a Butterfly Conservation project. The threatened pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly feeds on Devon violets, one of the reasons they are a key ingredient, and the inspiration behind the name (‘papillon’ is French for butterfly). Carabus, another gin in their collection, is named after a Devon wood ground beetle. The species is limited to only 12 sites in the South West, and one in Wales, and Papillon donates £2 per bottle to Buglife to support its conservation.
The Story
At Azu we love delving into what inspired people to make the move to craft spirits. Claire’s love of the countryside, the freedom self-employment allows them, and the joy of creating something unique, really resonates with our own values. Before they set up Papillon Gin, Claire worked in the public sector and Adam as a thatcher. Keen explorers, it was on a bike tour around America that they realised they wanted a change from their day-to-day life and work.
Working with family and friends offers a strong foundation upon which to build a product. Knowing each other so well and working together in every aspect of life, Claire and Adam have been able to build on each other’s strengths and create something really special.
Claire speaks fondly of her time working as a teacher but was drawn by a desire to create something tangible and to work amongst nature. Adam’s job as a thatcher was hard manual work, but Claire had seen the satisfaction he found creating something physical about which he could be proud and she knew this was something she also wanted.
After deciding to take the leap and set up their own craft distillery, the couple were inspired by the incredible botanicals on their doorstep. Hours of reading up on the traditional science of the alembic still and distillation followed. Experimenting with numerous recipes and combinations came next.
Attention to detail and quality are Papillon’s strengths. Their name was chosen carefully as Claire has long loved butterflies and it encapsulates their passion for the natural environment. If you look closely, you even can see tiny illustrated cyclists on the label; a nod to the gin’s origins, and the personal nature of the spirit.
Find out more about Papillon Gin here.
Order our Devon Gins tasting set to taste Papillon alongside five other premium Devon craft gins.