AN INTRODUCTION There s nothing more marvellous than a gin at 11 o clock on the river to wake the spirits - Mr. H. E. Hobbs
This book is an introduction to Mr. Hobbs - the man, the legend and the gin! Within these pages, you ll find information and details about Mr Hobbs Gin, and our brand. 2 3
N 1870 MR HARRY HOBBS, founder of Hobbs and Sons (now Hobbs of Henley) and publican of The Ship Hotel was renowned throughout the town for his flamboyant beard and high-spirited nature. He was often seen in his punt around 11am enjoying his home-distilled gin. Frequently spotted sipping from his unique glass or his wood-rimmed drinking flask, Mr Hobbs was forever throwing river parties along the banks of the Thames in Henley. He also hired out his boats for like-minded members of the public to host their own shindigs. Mr Hobbs famous drinking flask, which a local boat maker made him as a thank you for introducing him to his future wife, was normally concealed within his jacket in a pocket on which his initials, H.E. HOBBS, were proudly emblazoned. The gin was renowned for its unusual ingredients and until now that secret recipe had been lost for nearly 150 years. Recently the secret recipe for distilling this gin was discovered in the back of an old framed photograph of Mr Hobbs himself, along with step by step instructions to make Mr Hobbs favourite drink. Today we are proud to share our cherished family tipple. HIGHLY SPIRITED SINCE 1870 4 5
WHO Mr Hobbs Gin has been launched by Jonnie and Suzy Hobbs, Directors of Hobbs of Henley, who give you the most enjoyable way to mess about on the river whether it is in a small rowing boat or on one of their prestigious luxury river cruisers. WHAT Jonnie and Suzy Hobbs have launched a new premium gin to play their part in a remarkable renaissance in British gin. Distilled from only the most refined ingredients, the gin is in keeping with the reputation and brand of Hobbs of Henley, and will be a unique extension of the Hobbs family business. The gin will be distilled in limited amounts to maintain its high quality and its special refreshing properties. WHY Henley hosts some of England s most important and exclusive cultural events such as Henley Royal Regatta, Henley Music & Arts Festival, Henley Literary Festival. Jonnie and Suzy felt that such a great town deserved its own special gin. So they created a gin worthy of the Henley name. 6 7
obbs is a Henley institution, as inextricably linked with the genteel Oxfordshire town as the world-famous Royal Regatta. Established by H.E. (Harry) Hobbs in 1870, it is a family business through and through. The present managing director, Jonathan Hobbs, is the great, great, great grandson of the founder. Indeed the Hobbs family doesn t do things by half, being able to trace its ancestry through the direct male line back to 1490 another Harry Hobbs of Hambleden! Hobbs of Henley s first base was in Wharfe Lane, at the town s original riverside wharfe, but a move to new premises in Station Road followed in 1898. The company is still there today. Business boomed, pleasure boating on the Thames thrived and further boatyards were acquired at Goring and Shiplake. 8 9
r Hobbs suggests you serve his Henley gin by pouring over a full glass of ice, adding tonic water and a curl of orange peel and serving with a mischievous smile! d. a. b. c. e. a. Glass We prefer a tall glass, preferably chilled. b. Ice Fill the glass on the brim with ice we like large cubes as they melt more slowly! c. Tonic Water Take your pick slimline, original, Mediterranean? We prefer Fever Tree Original. e. Mischievous Smile Show your personality! d. Curl of Orange Peel Stripped from a fresh orange to compliment our unique combination of botanicals. 10 11
arry Hobbs original recipe dates back to 1870. We have based the modern recipe on five of his original botanicals, and have added Orris Root and Lime Leaf Oil for a modern twist. Mr Hobbs gin is a distilled gin, meaning it is distilled more than once, and flavours are added after the base recipe has been produced. This is unlike London Dry Gin which is made in only one distillation. c. d. We wanted to keep the distillation local and our production is done at Foxdenton Estate in Buckinghamshire. It is produced in small batches making each distillation extra special. e. f. a. Angelica Promotes healing & protection against negative energies. Once distilled, angelica has a lovely earthy flavour, both bitter and herbal which carries through beautifully. a. b. b. Marshmallow Its name meaning, a type of mallow which is found in the marshes. Sourced in the meadows behind the Hobbs boatyard, famed for it s internal soothing properties. c. Lemon peel Containing a spectrum of vitamins and minerals this particular botanical is ideal for giving you an overall nutritional boost. Rich in vitamin C and perfect for cleansing the system- not only is it good for your insides it actually slows down the aging process which explains why Mr Hobbs always kept his youthful playfulness. e. Lime Leaf Oil Traditionally it has been used to treat headaches, think of it as a precautionary element for any occasional overindulgence. 12 13 d. Orris root With it s lovely sweet, floral scent, the orris root demands at least five years of preparation before going into our gin. Not only is it used in Mr Hobbs drinks, it was later favoured by French couturier Gabrielle Coco Chanel in the perfumer s famous No.5- Harry always was a bit of a trend setter clearly. f. Juniper Probably best known for flavouring gin, Juniper is actually responsible for the drinks name. A bit of dinner party trivia: Gin is a shortening of the Dutch word for juniper, genever.
FAQ Q: Where is the gin made? A: Our gin is produced at the Foxdenton Estate in Buckinghamshire, established in 1935 by Major C.R.E. Radclyffe. Q: How much does the gin cost? A: RRP 36.00 (inc VAT) Q: Where can you buy the gin? A: Visit us at the boatyard or at a number of selected local establishments or www.mrhobbsgin.co.uk Q: What is the favoured tonic and garnish? A: We recommend pairing our gin with a Fever - Tree tonic and a curl of orange to bring out the citrus notes. Q: What ingredients are used to make the Gin different from other Brands? A: The gin is distilled with a range of local botanicals to create its distinctive taste but how they are mixed and in what proportions is a closely guarded secret. For all stockist enquiries please contact Suzy Hobbs. For media or brand guardianship enquiries please contact our crew at Strength+Honour hello@strengthandhonour.co.uk or on 01628 474422 15
@mrhobbsgin @MrHobbsGin @MrHobbsGin Suzy and Jonnie Hobbs e: suzy@mrhobbsgin.co.uk e: jonathan@mrhobbsgin.co.uk t: 01491 572035 www.mrhobbsgin.com Hobbs of Henley, The Boat House, Station Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1AZ