Midland Hotel celebrates anniversary with launch of premium gin

A renowned Lancashire hotel is marking an historic anniversary milestone with the production of its very own brand of quality gin.

The art-deco classic Midland Hotel in Morecambe has launched the new premium gin, Seahorse No.10, as part of its ten year anniversary celebrations this year.

The hotel, run by English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues since 2008 following its imaginative restoration, has been working with Chorley based artisan distillery Speakeasy Spirits to craft a bespoke gin based on a blend of ten different ‘botanical’ flavours.

The launch of Seahorse No.10 takes place at the Midland Hotel’s Gin Festival on World Gin Day, following months of careful research to produce a distinctive spirit, taste and brand.  The new gin includes ten flavouring ‘botanicals’, including juniper, elderflower, lavender, black cardamom and lemongrass.

Mark Needham (above) from English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues, the general manager of The Midland, explains:  “We wanted to mark our ten year anniversary at The Midland in a memorable way, with the production of a high quality, premium gin which matches the unique style of the hotel.

“We have created a personalised gin with a smooth floral profile and a very delicate spice on the finish to mark the occasion.  Key members of our team worked together to come up with a series of different flavour profiles, with Speakeasy Spirits then presenting three gins of different strengths and volume for sampling.

“We’re delighted with the final choice and Seahorse No.10 is perfect for a gin and tonic with a subtle difference.  It also mixes well for a classic martini with a twist of lemon and is great on the rocks too.  We think it will quickly become an established favourite with our guests.”

English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues worked with Kendal based Cactus Creative on the branding for Seahorse No.10.  The gin is now available on sale exclusively at the Midland Hotel.

The Midland Hotel’s busiest year since 2008 sees more than 40 major events at the venue this year, from music sessions at the Rotunda and themed murder mystery nights to the increasingly popular Seafood Festival in early July and the Vintage by the Sea Festival in September.

Originally built in a single year and opening in 1933, The Midland has a wonderful past steeped in local history.  It was originally commissioned to replace the old Victorian railway hotel and was designed to look like an ocean liner.  The hotel was frequented by the likes of Noel Coward, Laurence Olivier, Wallace Simpson and Coco Chanel.