Shows
Mother's RuinPlagues, pandemics and pathogens: Lockdown specialWe'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.
2020-05-1258 min
Mother's RuinGinfluencers: Five titans of ginModern 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.
2019-09-1749 minMother's RuinThe science of tastingThis 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.
2019-09-021h 06Mother's Ruin26: Number crunching: The gin industry in statisticsWhich 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.
2019-08-1957 minMother's RuinFrom the craze to the Krays: More gin and crimeMore 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.
2019-08-0454 minMother's RuinStand and deliver: Crime in the gin-craze eraIn 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.
2019-07-2153 minMother's RuinWeird scienceThis 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.
2019-07-071h 09Mother's RuinThe story of Genever part twoThis 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.
2019-06-2259 minMother's RuinWorld Gin Day specialIn 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.
2019-06-071h 07Mother's RuinThe great big gin quiz part twoAs 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.
2019-02-161h 00Mother's RuinGin: Medicine or poison?Gin began its life as a miracle cure for all ills, but later came to be regarded as a deadly poison. Here we uncover the truths and myths behind gin’s effects on the human body. We also have an interview with Dobson and Parnell, a restaurant and gin bar hailed as one of the best in the world.
2019-02-1140 minMother's RuinMessage on a bottle: Gin bottles, names and labelsThis week we re-visit the topic of gin bottles, names and labels. Why does the Gordon's bottle bear the symbol of a boar? What was so different about the Beefeater brand when it launched, and where do Roku, Rock Rose and Kouru get their names? We also interview Costswolds Gin to find out all about the origins of their whiskey-style bottle design.
2019-02-0345 minMother's RuinGin and foodThis week's episode looks at gin's relationship with food. Can you cook with gin? Can gin-soaked foods get you drunk? And what is the science behind gin as an aperitif? We also talk to the team from Fezziwig's Gin Yard in Liverpool, who give us all the bartender secrets on choosing a good gin.
2019-01-271h 08Mother's RuinThe gin glossary part twoIn this show we complete the gin glossary from N-Z. What does ‘nose’ mean, what is ‘vacuum distillation’, and who was Zosimos of Panopolis? Find out this week. We also have an interview with the head distiller at Newcastle Gin, and in battle of the gins we pitch two old toms against each other.
2019-01-191h 04Mother's RuinThe gin glossary part oneSome jargon-busting in store in this episode, as we cover part one of the A-Z gin glossary. We also interview Suzy Hobbs of Mr Hobbs gin, and we have a brand new section - battle of the gins - in which Elephant gin battles it out with Durham gin.
2019-01-1247 minMother's RuinGinfamous: Bootlegging and prohibitionThis week we revisit the topic of gin and crime, as we head to prohibition America, and learn about bathtub gin, speakeasys, wiseguys and bootlegging. We also make Al Capone’s favourite cocktail, the Southside Gin Fizz, plus all the latest gin news.
2019-01-0548 minMother's RuinGin in literatureJoin us as we interview none other than Sam Galsworthy, co-founder of the great Sipsmith brand. We also explore gin's relationship with literature, and how it affected the lives of some of the greatest 20th century writers.
2018-12-3058 minMother's RuinThe drinker's vernacularMore festive fun in store this week with a quick Christmas tasting, plus we show you how to make your own colour-changing gin at home. We also explore the origins of gin and booze-related words and phrases, including 'mother's ruin', 'tonic' and 'drunk as a newt'.
2018-12-2258 minMother's RuinGin meets religion and the supernaturalMother’s Ruin returns in time for Christmas. This week we explore gin’s relationship with religion, spirituality and the supernatural. Plus we have some incredible gin-related gift ideas, and the latest gin news.
2018-12-151h 16Mother's RuinGreat big gin quizIn the final episode of this season (back soon), Mat takes the Great Big Gin Quiz, plus we visit the Poetic License distillery, taste some homemade infusions with guest Katherine Tanney and play some disastrous outtakes.
2018-07-141h 18Mother's RuinAlong came the cocktailThis episode takes a look at the history of cocktails from their early beginnings to prohibition and James Bond. We also discover Osmoz grape gin via the Craft Gin Club's monthly box of delights, and we have the final of the Tin Gin World Cup.
2018-07-071h 02Mother's RuinA look behind the labelsJoin us to take a look at some of the fascinating fables behind gin bottles, gin labels and gin names. Matthew takes a quiz to test his knowledge on the subject, plus we have the semi-finals of the Tin Gin World Cup featuring Gavin Webster, and we put Ginfusions garnish packs to the test.
2018-06-301h 01Mother's RuinGin and crimeGin has been linked with some of the most heinous crimes in British history. But was gin really to blame, or were there more complex factors at play? This week we also hold the quarter final of the Tin Gin World Cup alongside comedian and whiskey drinker Gavin Webster, whom we try to convert to gin while trying some ready-mixed tinned gins.
2018-06-231h 00Mother's RuinGin, industry and Birmingham's Best-kept secretsThis week we take the podcast to Birmingham. This city holds some of the best-kept secrets in gin, from the largest still in Europe to the best gin bar in the UK, 40 St. Paul's. We meet some of the people involved, and talk about gin drinking at the peak of Britain's Industrial Revolution.
2018-06-1655 minMother's RuinGin gets the blues: Gin in musicIn this episode we look at the story of gin in the 20th century through the lens of music - from Jazz and blues to hip-hop...via George Formby. We also taste Unicorn Tears, Try out a juniper perfume and bring you all the latest gin news on World Gin Day.
2018-06-0954 minMother's RuinGin meets tonicIn this episode we bring the history of gin timeline through Britain's imperial century - where it meets tonic water, through prohibition and up to the present day. We also have guest Ben Crompton from Game of Thrones tasting a GOT themed cocktail.
2018-06-0247 minMother's RuinThe recoveryThis week we see gin move out of the gutter an into the gin palaces, as the dawning of the 19th century hails a new beginning for gin. We also make Purl, and bring you the latest gin news.
2018-05-2653 minMother's RuinThe gin crazeIn this episode we talk about the dark years of the 'Gin Craze', give you a roundup of this week's gin news and review Old Curiosity's Lavender and Echinacea gin.
2018-05-1951 min
Mother's RuinThe origins of ginFor our very first episode, we look at the origins of gin, from early Middle-Eastern alchemy to the Dutch golden age. We also make and taste Dog's Nose, a forgotten (and frankly disgusting) hot gin-beer concoction that's not for the weak of stomach.
2018-05-1257 min