THE GIN PASSPORT ATLAS - DISTILLERY STORY- PINNED ON THE MAP - EUROPE
CATFORD GIN, London, UK
If you know Catford, you'll know the Catford Cat.
Perched above the entrance to the Catford Centre, this enormous fibreglass feline has been watching over the neighbourhood since 1974. Created as part of the original town-centre development, it was designed by the architects Owen Luder and Rodney Gordon and quickly became one of Catford's most recognisable landmarks.
The name Catford itself is thought to derive from Cattle Ford, referring to the crossing over the River Ravensbourne. The giant cat, however, has rather taken over the naming rights!
Love it or hate it, the Catford Cat has become a local icon. It has faced several threats during plans to redevelop the town centre, but local affection for the landmark has helped keep it in place. Lewisham Council still describes it as one of Catford's most iconic features.
Naturally, it was only a matter of time before somebody turned the local legend into gin.
That somebody was Catford Gin, a London brand inspired by the neighbourhood and, rather unusually, made with catnip.
Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a member of the mint family and contains a compound called nepetalactone, which is responsible for the rather entertaining reaction it produces in many cats. For humans, though, it has a much more subtle character, with fresh, herbal and slightly citrusy notes.
It makes for a rather good gin botanical.
Catford Gin was created as a celebration of the neighbourhood, with catnip at the heart of the recipe alongside more traditional gin botanicals.
The result was certainly different, but not gimmicky. I found it beautifully smooth, with a lovely creamy mouthfeel and a gentle sweetness. There is freshness and citrus, followed by a little spice before a long, clean finish.
I particularly enjoyed it as a simple G&T. It is fresh enough to be refreshing but has sufficient character to make it interesting, rather than disappearing beneath the tonic.
I could also see it working brilliantly in a Gimlet or Gin Sour, where the citrus would bring out those brighter botanical notes.
The gin picked up several awards during its short life, including Silver at the World Gin Awards and Silver at The Gin Masters 2022.
There are plenty of gins inspired by places, but I rather like the fact that this one wasn't just named after Catford. It took one of the area's most famous residents, added a botanical that makes everyone think of cats, and created a gin around it.
You couldn't make it up. Well, actually, they did.
"A local landmark, a curious botanical and a gin with nine lives"
Atlas Note: Sadly, Catford Gin announced that production had come to an end after two years and multiple awards, making those remaining bottles rather more interesting for anyone lucky enough to have one tucked away. . was certainly pleased to have discovered it when I did.
Show me a bottle and
I'll tell you a story.
