SECTION 5: ABOUT ME
For the Love of Juniper ... and Travel
My Gin Journey
I've always believed that the best way to understand the world is to explore it.
Long before gin became a passion, travel was my first love. In the 1980s, I left South Africa with a backpack and ticket to Europe. What began as an adventure eventually became a new life in the United Kingdom, but my curiosity never changed. There was always another country to visit, another culture to experience and another story waiting to be discovered.
Years later, I realised I'd found another way to travel.
Through gin.
Like many enthusiasts, my journey began with familiar names—Gordon's and Schweppes, followed by Tanqueray and the iconic blue bottle of Bombay Sapphire. At the time, they were simply drinks to enjoy with friends and family. I had no idea they would spark a lifelong fascination with one of the world's most diverse and expressive spirits.
As the craft gin renaissance gathered pace, so did my curiosity. I became less interested in simply tasting gin and more interested in the stories behind it. Who created it? Why these botanicals? What makes this place unique? Whenever I travel, I naturally seek out local distilleries, hidden gin bars and the people whose passion is captured in every bottle.
A Collection Built Through Curiosity
Over the years, my shelves have grown into an international collection of gins. Around half come from the UK, reflecting the remarkable creativity of British distillers, while the rest represent Europe and destinations much further afield.
Some bottles were discovered while travelling, others were brought home from specialist shops or sourced directly from distilleries. Together, they represent far more than a collection. Each bottle is a reminder of a place, its people, its traditions and the stories that make it unique.
From Virtual Tours to The Gin Passport
When the world paused during the pandemic, so did my travels. Instead of exploring new destinations in person, I began exploring them through my gin collection.
Those virtual journeys became a series of regional tours across social media, travelling through Scotland, Europe and beyond—one bottle at a time. Each stop explored not only the gin itself but also the history, landscapes, folklore and culture that inspired it.
It quickly became clear that these weren't simply gin reviews.
They were stories.
The response was overwhelming, and when people suggested turning the tours into a coffee table book, it planted the seed for something even bigger. Rather than creating a book that would eventually become outdated, I created The Gin Passport—a living, evolving destination where those journeys could continue to grow.
Always Learning
One of the things I love most about gin is that there's always something new to discover.
I'm fortunate to have spent time with many talented distillers who have generously shared their knowledge, deepening my appreciation for the craftsmanship behind every bottle.
Since 2021, I've also had the privilege of judging alongside some of the spirits industry's leading experts at the World Gin Awards, Gin Masters and the Scottish Gin Co-operative Awards. It's been an incredible opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business while tasting exceptional spirits from around the world.
The Journey Continues
Today, I continue to share stories, discoveries and the occasional tasting note through The Gin Passport and on social media. I also enjoy collaborating with distilleries and brands whose stories deserve to be told, so if you'd like to work together, I'd love to hear from you.
Above all, I hope this website encourages you to look beyond the label. Every bottle reflects a place, every distillery has a story and every gin offers a new way to explore the world.
Thanks for coming along for the journey.
Allison
