George, M Dorothy. London Life in the Eighteenth Century, Penguin Harmondsworth, Middlesex, 1925: 56. Greenwood Distillers will launch seven spirits in the UK this year, with the aim of expanding to exports markets including France, Japan and the US by 2020.

Hogarth, on his own admission, wished to draw attention to various social and moral issues in society. He would have had nothing to gain and much to lose by misrepresentation of facts with regard to these issues. Although his interpretations of the facts might differ from that of other witnesses, they had to be seen to be realistic. By co-ordinating his graphic images with those images provided by his literary contemporaries and in medical writings of the time, it can be seen that they represent a realistic scenario with regard to the prevailing medical scene and to some of the opinions expressed at the time. Hogarth offers a well-informed layman's view of the world of medicine as it impinged on the society that he portrayed. Alcohol abuse is just one example. In this first experimental batch of Theodore, sixteenbotanicals, including pine, damask rose, pomelo and bourbon vetiver, have been distilled in a multi-stage process using an old Charentais still alongside a rotovap to extract the best flavours and aromas from each distinct botanical.These verses, written by William Hogarth's friend and collaborator, the Rev. James Townley, accompany the artist's print, Gin Lane. Alcohol abuse is hardly a uniquely modern problem - Hogarth's print depicts the results of such abuse in the eighteenth century and highlights many of its social consequences.

The body-painted warriors are alleged to have travelled from as far as Scythia and Scandinavia to settle amidst the rugged landscape of the Scottish Highlands. The only traces of this lost tribe, famed for their courage and craftsmanship are echoed in the art, engravings and forgotten fortresses of Scotland.That is, of course the next great obstacle to overcome - to complete the distillery itself and move production to Scotland without impacting the flavour. It’s a mighty task even for a team who can rely on handover notes from two of the most talented distillers of their respective generations, namely as it involves a new distiller stepping into their shoes and maintaining it over the months to come whilst also getting used to a new environment. If that in itself wasn’t a daunting task, consider the following; currently, if the information provided is accurate at least five different distillations are happening on three different stills, with a further three separate post-infusions going on thereafter. Try to replicate that without making a noticeable alteration in the profile! It’ll be fiendishly complicated. Founder Barthelemy Brosseau said: “We have collaborated with an eclectic team of individuals who are pushing boundaries in their respective fields to create something special. Theodore pays tribute to the Picts with a bold and characterful gin that embodies the Pictish spirit. It is for anyone who is looking to whet a curious appetite.”

Theodore’s initial top note is of elegant, citric pomelo and crisp pine needles that evoke the scent of fresh grass. As the top notes give way, honey ushers in a floral heart of Damask rose and oolong tea. A Dissertation on Mr. Hogarth's Six Prints Lately Publish'd inscrib'd to the Lord Mayor, City of London and Worshipful Court of Aldermen, 1751. The first edition of Theodore Gin has been created with guidance from olfactory expert and perfume designer, Barnabé Fillion. The Picts are history wrapped in legend, the truth of their civilisation shaded by rumour and lore. Little is known about this race of Scotsmen, who held off the Roman legions and left us nothing but intricately carved metal and stone, including the famous Wolf of Ardross. In a G&T, the lime leaves are a little clearer, enhancing the citrus and vetiver. Botanically rich, that impression fills out further over time and quite uniquely, becomes more complex as it all dilutes - most probably from the Oolong coming to its own as the ice melts. Pair it with a grapefruit peel if you are keeping it simple, but for those wanting a fancy pants concoction come G&T time, try a lime leaf and some pink peppercorns.

Founder Barth Barthelemy Brosseau, said: ‘We have collaborated with an eclectic team of individuals who are pushing boundaries in their respective fields to create something special. While not much is known for sure about the Picts, we enjoy that sense of mystery.