Ansom Damson Gin
Ansom Damson Gin is Hand-Crafted using locally foraged damsons from around Cornwall. Star anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and orange are added to the infusion
Type
Country
Producer
Featured Flavours
Alcohol %
25%
Serving Size
- 25ml
Suggested with
In Cocktails
Ansom Damson Gin
Ansom Damson Gin, from Cornwall’s Pocketful of Stones distillery, opens with the bright, juicy tartness of foraged Cornish damsons, their red fruit character carrying a touch of tannic acidity that gives the spirit real backbone rather than jammy sweetness. Warming spice follows close behind: star anise, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove weave through the fruit alongside a citrus lift from orange, giving the gin a spicy, mulled-wine warmth without ever tipping into cloying territory. The whole experience settles into a long, smooth finish, with “notes of Christmas” lingering in the background — that festive, fireside quality that makes it feel more like a considered dram than a simple fruit gin.
Ansom Damson Gin is made by Pocketful of Stones, a small distillery based on Causeway Head in Penzance, Cornwall. The company was founded by four hospitality veterans who came up through London bars and kitchens rather than the drinks trade proper: Shaun Bebington, who ran the Lukin pub in Fitzrovia and first started distilling gin in its cellar; Balazs Schieber, a Hungarian chef who moved from West End kitchens into the role of master distiller, bringing a cook’s approach to selecting botanicals; Paul Motley, who provided the business and financial backbone after decades in London hospitality; and Mike Cunliffe, who leads marketing and strategy. Their own tagline sums up the arc nicely: “From behind the bar, to the distillery and back to the bar.” They relocated the operation to Cornwall to distil using local landscape and foraging, and their flagship is Caspyn Cornish Dry Gin, alongside a range of fruit and flavoured expressions.
The Damson variant fits that foraging ethos: it’s made using damsons gathered locally around Cornwall, then infused with warming spice (star anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove) and orange, in the same hedgerow-and-orchard tradition as sloe gin. The name “Ansom” is a nod to Cornish and West Country dialect — “‘ansome” (from “handsome”) is a well-worn term of affection and approval in Cornwall, used the way you might say “lovely” or “gorgeous,” including in the familiar greeting “me ansome.” It reads as a wink at Cornish identity rather than a reference to a historical event or old family recipe — I couldn’t find a published account of a specific origin story for this particular expression, so it looks like a modern seasonal release built on that same craft distilling story rather than one with its own separate history.
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The story of Pocketful of Stones began in the bustling heart of central London, born from a shared love of great hospitality and exceptional spirits. Founder Shaun Bebington, a surf-loving South African native, was running The Lukin, an eclectic pub in Fitzrovia, alongside his friend Balazs Schieber, a talented chef from Budapest. Intrigued by the art of distillation, Balazs swapped his chef’s knives for botanicals, hydrometers, and copper stills right in the pub’s basement cellar. Joined by partners Paul Motley and Mike Cunliffe, the team experimented endlessly until they perfected their inaugural Caspyn Dry Gin, officially giving life to the distillery.
Despite their success in the capital, the lure of the ocean and a coastal lifestyle proved irresistible. Driven by Shaun’s passion for surfing and a desire to craft drinks inspired by nature, the quartet relocated their operation to Long Rock, near Penzance, in 2016. Settling on the rugged Cornish coastline provided a brand new palette of wild landscapes and sea breezes to draw from. Surrounded by rich local folklore and dramatic seascapes, Pocketful of Stones transformed from an ambitious London basement project into a proudly Cornish, small-batch craft distillery.
Today, Pocketful of Stones is celebrated for its inventive approach that continually pushes the boundaries of traditional distilling. From their signature classic gins to bold creations like Dr Squid Gin—an eye-catching spirit infused with real squid ink that transforms from jet black to vivid pink when mixed with tonic—every bottle reflects their playful, creative ethos. Housed in distinct apothecary-style copper flasks that celebrate their artisanal roots, these exceptional spirits are a natural fit for our curated collection at the Penventon, bringing a true taste of Cornwall’s coastal soul straight to your glass.
