Penwortham distillers Ellis McKeown and Liam Stemson are celebrating after their Fairham Signature Gin was chosen as the favoured tipple for the new ASK Italian at Preston’s entertainment and leisure destination, Animate.
ASK Italian launched at the start of April, bringing a slice of Italy to the centre of Preston. As part of its efforts to bring a sense of community to each restaurants, ASK Italian implement an initiative to champion the best local gin producers.
Restaurant teams carry out the search, meet suppliers first-hand, hear their stories, and most importantly make sure the gin passes their taste tests.
This was no different for the new Preston restaurant, with the team collaborating with Ellis and Liam to make Fairham Gin the house pour.
Ellis said: “We launched the gin in April 2021 from our outhouse on Fairham Avenue. Now, to be approached and selected by a high-profile restaurant chain such as ASK Italian is something for us to celebrate. Not many companies of this size give this sort of opportunity to local producers, and it’s refreshing to see.”
The Preston ASK Italian – the 67th across the UK – is decorated with murals painted by North West based artist Jazz Stan, using the Italian region of Lombardy as the inspiration.
Read more: Inside Ask Italian ahead of latest Animate Preston restaurant opening
Fairham Signature Gin will form part of the drinks menu, with customers being able to enjoy a gin and tonic, or try spring cocktails, Candy Cloud Bramble and Elderflower Burst.
ASK Italian Marketing Director, Corinne Prior, said: “We may be a large family of restaurants, but we know that each ASK Italian is different and serves its own unique community, which is why we’ve got a local gin listed on the menu in each of our restaurants.
“Supporting local enterprise by making these connections has been great for our teams and our customers. We’re so pleased to have partnered with Fairham Gin, who have been incredibly welcoming, to bring the spirit of Preston – literally – into our newest opening.”
In 2022, Signature Gin was awarded a coveted 1-star at the renowned Great Taste Awards, being touted as offering ‘a perfect citrus-laden G&T experience’ by the judges. Signature is a smooth, bold and unapologetically modern expression and features 13 botanicals including juniper, lemon peel, guava, kumquat and physalis, to name a few.
Liam added: “While our Signature Gin being selected above other competition within Lancashire is fantastic, it’ll be a proud moment for us to see it on the menu and being enjoyed by customers.
“Signature is a true contemporary London Dry gin exploding with fresh, smooth, citrus – perfect for Italian cuisine.”
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