Win 10 expert's guides to gin + a G&T for each winner

A father and son business partnership who own a string of successful pubs, including what's thought to be the world's smallest gin bar, have launched a guide to their favourite gins.
The Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar Ginologist book. Trevor Davis with son BenThe Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar Ginologist book. Trevor Davis with son Ben
The Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar Ginologist book. Trevor Davis with son Ben

Trevor and Ben Davis have sampled hundreds of gins for their Durham City pubs Tin of Sardines, Old Tom’s and The Court Inn, ranging from rare bottles priced at more than £1,000 to locally-distilled versions.

Now they’ve launched their own guide to their top 50 gins called Tin of Sardines, named after their Elvet Bridge gin bar, which holds just 16 people.

The Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar Ginologist book. Trevor Davis with son BenThe Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar Ginologist book. Trevor Davis with son Ben
The Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar Ginologist book. Trevor Davis with son Ben
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It features 50 of the best gins they’ve sampled over the years, including Sunderland’s own Poetic License gin, as well as serving suggestions.

Trevor said: “Because Tin of Sardines is so small everyone talks to each other when they drink here and the ginologists chat to the customers as they make the gins about what their preferences are.”

He added: “Me and Ben first came up with the idea of the gin bars four years ago and we’ve tried hundreds of gins over the years to find ones to stock in the bars. Tin of Sardines has 250 varieties and Old Tom’s more than 300, so we decided that the next step would be to make a book about the best ones we’ve tried. There’s just so many varieties and botanicals out there. It’s a simple read but it tells you everything you need to know about the garnishes and how to serve the gins.”

Speaking about the popularity of gin, he said: “Gin has, of course, been around for centuries, but in 2007 Sipsmith got permission to make small batch gins, leading to more varieties, and it went massive. That popularity shows no sign of slowing down.”

The Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar Ginologist book.The Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar Ginologist book.
The Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar Ginologist book.
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The Tin of Sardines book is priced £5 and is available to buy at Tin of Sardines, Old Tom’s and The Court Inn as well as at Waterstones in Durham City.

We have 10 copies of the book to give away, as well as a G&T from one of the bars for each winner.

To be in with a chance of winning, answer this question: What’s a common nickname for gin?

A) Mother’s Ruin;

The Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar Ginologist book.The Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar Ginologist book.
The Tin Of Sardines Gin Bar Ginologist book.

B) Father’s Joy;

C) Grandpa’s Cough Medicine.

Send your answer and full contact details, including address to Gin Competition, Katy Wheeler. Johnston Press North East, 2nd Floor, Alexander House, 1 Mandarin Road, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton, Sunderland, DH4 5RA. Alternatively you can email your entry to [email protected]. All entries are deleted once the competition is drawn.