Mother's Ruin

Plagues, pandemics and pathogens: Lockdown special

We're back for a lockdown special, in which we'll explore gin's role in past pandemics. Plus we have interviews with The Cotswolds Distillery and Hepple, to find out how producers are coping with the COVID-19 crisis. Plus all the latest gin news. 

Ginfluencers: Five titans of gin

Modern culture is all about 'influencers', but to find the people who really made gin what it is today, we have to look beyond Instagram. From ancient Egypt to 21st century Britain - we take a look into the lives of those without whom gin may have been confined to the history books. 

The science of tasting

This week we learn all about the science of taste, and how we can apply this when tasting gin. We also visit The Continental gin bar in Newcastle for a tonic tasting, featuring delights from Indi, Ledgers, Lamb and Watt and The Artisan Drinks Company.

26: Number crunching: The gin industry in statistics

Which country consumes the most gin per head? How do our gin consumption levels match those of the gin craze years? And is the industry really still on its way up? All these and more as we delve into some fascinating facts and figures about gin. Plus we taste some non-alcoholic or low alcohol alternatives to gin.

From the craze to the Krays: More gin and crime

More gin and crime is on the menu, as we complete our look at highwaymen’s relationship with gin, comparing gin’s reputation in the 18th century with that of 1960s gangland London. We also have a masterclass from Hepple, and of course all the latest gin news.

Stand and deliver: Crime in the gin-craze era

In this episode we examine the myths and mystique surrounding highwaymen and their relationship to gin. We also talk to Emma from York Gin about Outlaw, their roguish new gin inspired by York's notorious ne'er-do-wells, plus a tasting with mixologist Sophia Holt. 

Weird science

This episode explores strange scientific phenomena associated with gin, from the wonders of yeast to spontaneous human combustion and hangover-free gin. We also concoct some marvellous medicinal gin cocktails, all in the name of science. Plus the latest gin news. 

The story of Genever part two

This week we complete the history of Genever, the precursor to gin which remains hugely popular today. We also have a Gin of the Week special featuring a tasting Isle of Harris, plus an interview with their brand ambassador Iona Cairns. Plus all the latest gin news.

World Gin Day special

In honour of World Gin Day, we return with a show dedicated to gins around the world. We learn about the history of Genever, we play Top Trumps - around the world in eight gins, plus we have an interview with Thomas Steinhart, from the Steinhart distillery in Canada. And of course all the latest gin news. 

The great big gin quiz part two

As season two draws to a close, Matthew takes the great big gin quiz, which reveals some of the fascinating facts we didn’t get to cover in previous episodes. We also speak to Jen and Robby from the South City Gin Club over in St Louis, Missouri, who give us the lowdown on the best American gins.