The beGINning of a beautiful friendship!

P&O Cruises are partnering with Salcombe Gin to develop the very first distillery at sea!

The bespoke gin will make its debut alongside the launch of Iona in May 2020, with gin being distilled in Iona’s dedicated still, before being bottled and labelled on board.

Salcombe Gin will also showcase their masterclass opportunities aboard with two unique experiences available to guests…

In the first class, guests are able to learn about the nation’s favourite spirit and sample a variety of different gins; much like an educational tasting session. Whilst the second masterclass is a more intimate event, with guests being invited to devise their very own signature recipe.

Paul Ludlow, P&O Cruises president, said: ““Salcombe Gin is the perfect partner for us as it shares our zest for adventure and discovery. It has an unrivalled passion and attention to detail, not only in the award-winning gins created, but also in the unique gin experiences offered. We are incredibly excited by the bespoke gin being created for us, the maiden production run of which will be distilled in the first ever distillery at sea.”

Following the premiere aboard Iona, Salcombe Gin will distill the exclusive gin in it’s 450 copper still ‘Provident’ in Salcombe. The gin recipes will be inspired by the various ports of call and will be served across the P&O fleet.

Angus Lugsdin, co-founder of Salcombe Distilling Co, said: “We are extremely excited to partner on this exciting project with P&O Cruises. Our two brands have an amazingly rich and shared history. At the same time that P&O expanded into leisure cruising in the mid-19th century, the famous Salcombe Fruit schooners were entering their heyday, importing cargoes of precious fruits and spices from the Mediterranean to England’s ports and the ships probably passed each other on their voyages.

“Both brands are kindred spirits, born of the sea with a history of breaking new ground and exploring new horizons. To be responsible for creating a unique gin and distilling it on board the first distillery at sea is a very romantic notion and brings us closer to the intrepid adventurers who travelled the world’s oceans seeking out the finest fruits, spices and herbs.”

Here’s to the beGiNning of a beautiful friendship!