Isle of Wight Distillery’s Wight Mermaids Gin branding will feature on the sides of one of the world’s fastest powerboats during this year’s Cowes Torquay race over the weekend of 3rd­ - 4th September.

Earlier this year the Irish Hibernia Racing Team smashed the Round Ireland speed record and the boat, which is powered by two engines developing 1140hp, will now be one of the star entrants in this year’s prestigious Cowes event. The powerboat will carry Mermaids Gin livery and is also supported by Tom Crean’s Lager, produced by the Dingle Brewing Company. Isle of Wight Distillery founder Xavier Baker explains: “I worked at Dingle and have remained great friends with its owner Jerry O’Sullivan who’s been a long­term supporter of the Hibernia Racing Team. We jumped at the opportunity to join them for this classic weekend that’s right on our doorstep and raise the profile of Wight Mermaids Gin.”

John Ryan is driver and throttles of the Mermaids Gin Hibernia craft with co­drivers Philip Fitzgibbon and Jonathan Napier as well as crew Denis Dillon. John commented: “We were really impressed by the taste of Mermaids Gin and were very happy to associate our race entry with this new Isle of Wight brand. Our livery for the Cowes Torquay race will feature Mermaids alongside our regular supporters Crean’s Lager and Henry Lloyd, which we hope is a winning combination!”

Wight Mermaids Gin is carefully infused with Juniper berries, rock samphire hand­picked from the Island and Boadicea hops grown at Ventnor Botanic Garden. These feature alongside England’s first home­grown coriander seeds, fresh lemon zest, angelica root, liquorice root, orris root and elderflower. The gin has a real focus on local hand­picked ingredients and capturing the spirit of the Isle of Wight.
For more information on Wight Mermaids Gin and the other spirits produced by the Isle of Wight Distillery, visit isleofwightdistillery.com