As someone who grew up in Dorset, I love discovering local businesses that celebrate the area’s character. Over the years, I’ve been on several gin tours with bigger companies, but the Conker Gin tour felt completely different—more personal, more intimate, and truly connected to Dorset itself.
Located just a 30-minute bus ride from Bournemouth Square, Conker Spirit may be classified as a London Gin, but it’s deeply rooted in local traditions and community. Founded in 2014, Conker Spirit has made a name for itself by crafting premium small-batch spirits with a focus on botanicals and sustainability.
From the moment I arrived, the team made me feel welcome, guiding us through the gin-making process, the Dorset-inspired botanicals, and the story behind Conker Gin. The team behind Conker Gin is passionate about representing the local area, sourcing botanicals from the Dorset coast and countryside.
The tour is a compact, two-hour experience that takes place in a single room, yet it manages to pack in an impressive amount of knowledge, history, and—of course—gin tasting.
The first part of the tour delves into the fascinating process of gin making, focusing on the botanicals that go into each bottle of Conker Gin. The team at Conker is dedicated to using the finest local ingredients, giving their gin a distinctly Dorset flavour profile. We learned about the carefully selected botanicals, including:
Juniper berries – The backbone of any gin, providing its signature piney and resinous character.
Samphire – Sourced from the UK, adding a fresh, slightly salty edge that reflects the region’s maritime heritage.
Citrus fruits – Bringing a zesty, vibrant kick to the gin’s flavour profile.
Gorse flowers – This was a real highlight! Conker uses handpicked gorse flowers grown in the local Southbourne area, adding delicate coconut and vanilla-like notes to their gin. What’s even better is that if you sign up to their newsletter, you get the chance to join the team in picking these flowers when they are in season. It’s a fantastic way to connect with the process and contribute to the making of a truly local spirit.
Of course, the real highlight of the tour was the gin tasting session. We sampled six different types of gin, experiencing each in three stages: neat, with ice, and finally with tonic. This method really allowed us to appreciate the changing characteristics of the gin as it evolved.
My personal favourite was the Classic Conker Gin, which had a wonderfully smooth, citrus-forward profile that felt refreshingly Dorset. The Raspberry Gin was another standout—a fruity, vibrant take on the original that felt perfect for a summer’s day. We also tried:
Black Cherry Gin – Deep and rich, with a natural sweetness.
Navy Gin – Bold and powerful, with a high proof that packs a punch.
Port Barreled Gin – Aged in port casks, giving it a warm and complex finish.
Bowser – A non-alcoholic botanical spirit that still captures the essence of gin, perfect for designated drivers.
One of the biggest surprises of the evening was their Coffee Liqueur. I love a good Espresso Martini, and this liqueur was a game-changer. Unlike Kahlúa, which can sometimes be overly sweet, Conker’s version is smooth, rich, and made using fairer trade coffee beans from Ethiopia and Brazil. They’ve even partnered with local Dorset coffee roasters to ensure the best quality. It’s safe to say my next homemade cocktails will definitely feature this!
One thing I really appreciated was that, after the tour, we had the option to stay in the tasting room, which is open until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s a relaxed space to enjoy another gin (or two!) and soak in the atmosphere.
And if you’re feeling peckish, just outside is an amazing pizza van that serves, hands down, the best pizza in Dorset. For around £11, I wasn’t expecting the food to be a highlight, but it honestly was—wood-fired, fresh, and the perfect pairing with a Conker Gin cocktail.
At £30 per person, the Conker Gin tour is incredible value for money, especially considering the quality of the gin, the personal touch of the experience, and the option to make a full evening out of it. If you’re interested, you can book your tour here.
If you love gin, great local experiences, or simply want to taste a true Dorset spirit, the Conker Gin tour is a must. It’s the perfect mix of learning, tasting, and socialising—all while supporting an independent distillery. With the option to stay and enjoy the tasting room (plus incredible pizza!), it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
Cheers to great gin and unforgettable Dorset moments!
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