Baytown, the Robin Hood’s Bay producer of smugglers’ beer, has launched a new range of premium spirits. The range comprises gin, vodka, whisky and port in 700ml and 500ml smugglers’ style heritage bottles.
Each drink commemorates the key characters of 18th century smuggling around Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby.
Zachariah Storm Gin highlights how the Storm family has lived in Robin Hood’s Bay for almost 500 years. It is likely that members of the Storm family were at the centre of the village’s smuggling activity.
Lingers’ Ghost Vodka notes how the modern day folklore of a ghost at Lingers’ Hill, just outside Robin Hood’s Bay, has its roots in smuggling times. A rider in white mounted on a white horse would be seen out and about just before a smuggling run took place.
21st Light Dragoon Whisky relates how the army was brought in to patrol the coastal areas in order to apprehend smuggling gangs. The area was remote which made the dragoon’s job extremely dangerous. Tales of fights, arrests and betrayal can be found in the local archives.
Squire Farsyde Port reminds how the local gentry, the Farsyde family of Thorpe Hall, were probably involved in funding and supporting smuggling activity. Thorpe Hall in Fylingthorpe, half a mile from Robin Hood’s Bay, had a special pit built to hide smuggled goods and it can still be seen today.
Baytown’s new spirits range is already available at Station Road Stores and the Victoria Hotel in Robin Hood’s Bay, Barnards of Fylingthorpe, Whitby Tourist Information Centre, Village Stores and Gifts in Goathland and Grosmont Coop.
The range is also available by mail order and details can be found on www.baytownrhb.com
Paul Johnston of Baytown says: “We have aimed to produce a high quality range of spirits which complement our beers and which continue to commemorate the area’s rich smuggling heritage.”
Baytown’s new spirits range is supported by the North York Moors National Park Authority through its Local Distinctiveness and Tourism Grant, which funds projects that make it easier for visitors to enjoy the area’s local distinctiveness. The Moors Centre at Danby and Sutton Bank Visitors Centre also stock the Baytown spirits range.
New stockists are welcome and trade details can be obtained from Paul Johnston of Baytown on 01947 880513.
Retail prices are as follows;
700ml bottles: Storm Gin & Ghost Vodka £18.25, Farsyde Port £15.25, and Dragoon Whisky £19.25.
500ml bottles: Storm Gin & Ghost Vodka £15.25, Farsyde Port £13.25 and Dragoon Whisky £16.25.