

About Waterton's Reserve Gin
Waterton's Reserve Gin is inspired by our district's history.
The nightingale on our label isn’t just to make it look pretty, there’s a story behind why we chose it. It’s a link to a very remarkable Victorian period Yorkshire Explorer and gentleman named Charles Waterton. You might not be familiar with his legend but you will certainly have been touched by the legacy he left behind.
Charles, known locally as The Squire, was an extraordinary chap with views on conservation and wildlife that was very much out of step with his Victorian contemporaries. He lived in the small Yorkshire village of Walton, only a few miles from our distillery, and travelled all over the world studying plants and animals,very much like a 19th century David Attenborough.
In fact Mr Attenborough cites Charles Waterton as huge influence in shaping his own career and Waterton’s writings were also an inspiration to Darwin.
Charles Waterton was a pioneer of conservation, he fought a local soap manufacturer that was polluting nearby waterways with harmful chemicals and as a result had the factory relocated! He also established the World’s first nature reserve at his home in Yorkshire where he settled with his native American wife, and often patrolled his grounds personally to protect the resident wildlife from local poachers.
Waterton was a well respected true gent, a published scholar and his rich spirit of adventure led him to be the supposed influence behind fictional explorer Indiana Jones, and he certainly behaved like the Indiana Jones of his era. His refined background crossed with rugged stories of him wrestling caiman in the jungles of South America certainly provide a host of similarities between the Squire and his more modern day, fictional American counterpart.
It was Waterton’s adventurous spirit, bold approach and passion for nature that inspired us to capture these qualities in our small batch gin. With a strong focus on classic 19th century gin botanicals of Waterton’s period, South American cocoa nibs, local flavours and pure mineral water from a spring only a few miles from our Yorkshire distillery, we’ve created a range of gins that celebrate Waterton’s passion for exploration, his Yorkshire roots and his South American travels.
And why the nightingale?
Waterton’s last entry into his journal on May 2nd 1865 read “On this night at 11 o’clock two nightingales were singing melodiously in the Park.”
It was the final time Waterton’s words were put to paper and it was this snippet that inspired the Nightingale on our label and led us to base both our botanical selection and our range of gin with Waterton and his nightingales at the heart of our work.
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If you have an interest in stocking our fine gins,
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Get In Touch
01226 380893
If you have an interest in stocking our fine gins please reach out.
Our phone is nearly always on but we cannot always get to it.
In the event that we cannot get to the phone, leave a message and we promise to return your call as soon as we are free.
01226 380893
gin@watertonsreserve.com
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Crafted in very small batches in a traditional copper still at the heart of Yorkshire's Old West Riding. Followers must be over 18, drink responsibly!
Don’t miss our silent auction this Friday in aid of @WfldHospice 👌 Prizes kindly donated @ENGIEgroup @WDHupdate @WDHupdate @ouragency @thehepworthcafe @JordanSolicitor @commerciallaw_j @IrisWakefield @ossettbrewery @farmercopley @watertonreserve @OfficialHARIBO @VizBiz_Design
TWO DAYS until our #NostellNights #Christmas special - All That Glitters - an adults' only spectacular with food & drink from @LovePodge & @watertonreserve ,music from @Long_Division_ & theatre from @WakeyDramaPaul - just some of the highlights. http://ow.ly/KJml50xoAjW
Only 3 DAYS until Friday's #NostellNights #Christmas special - All That Glitters - an adults' only spectacular with food & drink from @LovePodge & @watertonreserve ,music from @Long_Division_ & theatre from @WakeyDramaPaul - just some of the highlights. http://ow.ly/KJml50xoAjW
Just 4 DAYS until Friday's #NostellNights #Christmas special - All That Glitters - an adults' only spectacular with food & drink from @LovePodge & @watertonreserve ,music from @Long_Division_ & theatre from @WakeyDramaPaul - just some of the highlights. http://ow.ly/KJml50xoAjW
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Dec 4
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Dec 4
#earlymorning #christmas #distill ...
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Dec 4
Join us @ntnostell this week. ...
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Dec 3
We were at Castleford Beer Festival last month spreading the Waterton’s spirit. @nailmakerbrewing ...
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Nov 30
It's chilly but perfect weather for a Christmas market! 🎅🏻
The gazebo is all set at Worsbrough Mill Museum & Country Park for this Sunday. 🎅🏻
We'll be on show for Christmas gin gifts from 10 till 4pm with @nailmakerbrewing and supping tea and eating cakes from Millers Tea Room! ...
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Oct 22
#new #distillery #floor ...
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1 day ago
Join the Waterton’s team Nostell NT.The house is dressed in decadent finery this #Christmas - here's a tiny peak as we get ready to open the doors for #NostellNights this Friday & for all to enjoy from Saturday along with lots of festive family treats in the gardens & buildings. ow.ly/EU5Z50xpl2o #NostellMade ... See MoreSee Less
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1 day ago
We can’t wait. #watertons #christmasWhoop! One more sleep to go until #NostellNights this Friday! Get in the Christmas spirit with food, drink, theatre and music from local artists & artisans including Long Division, Love Podge James Bywood - Print & see the house decked for the season before we open to the public on Saturday. No need to pre-book apart from cellar&attic tours. ow.ly/KJml50xoAjW
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2 days ago
Behind the scenes at our little photo shoot with Chris Whittam Photography at The The Wentworth Arms with a little wet of the delicious Chocolate Safari Stout from to get the creative juices flowing! ... See MoreSee Less
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Didn’t realise you could move so fast David Owens 🙂
Waterton’s Reserve Gin Waterton’s Reserve Gin shared a photo.
2 days ago
Join us at Nostell NT for a great evening and our special #gin only available on the night.THREE DAYS TO GO until #NostellNights this Friday! Get in the Christmas spirit with food, drink, theatre and music from local artists & artisans including Long Division, Love Podge James Bywood - Print & see the house decked for the season before we open to the public on Saturday. No need to pre-book apart from cellar&attic tours. ow.ly/KJml50xoAjW ... See MoreSee Less
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3 days ago
#watertons #christmas ... See MoreSee Less
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