‘UK’s Most Haunted Gin’: Distillery Housed in Historic Inn Releases Booze Made Under ‘Watchful Eye’ of Ghost

Effectively putting the “boo” in booze, Hooting Owl Distillery in the United Kingdom releases a gin it claims was made under the creepy gaze of a cheeky specter. If that’s not enough to raise your hair, the Halloween tipple is also stored in what’s described as the distillery’s most haunted room. (Photo: Hooting Owl Distillery)

In the charming ambiance of Barmby Moor House, a historic coaching inn situated near Pocklington in East Yorkshire, a limited-edition gin is maturing in the darkness, poised for its moment in the Halloween spotlight. This mysterious elixir, named “Where Ghosts Walk (WGW) Batalicious Gin,” has discovered an unconventional sanctuary within the inn’s locked room, reputedly haunted by the unsettled spirit of a young coachman.

Also known to have once hosted a young Queen Victoria, the Barmby Moor House is now home to the Hooting Owl Distillery and its many small-batch, Yorkshire-inspired libations. Within the purportedly haunted walls, the ghostly presence of the Barmby Coachman is said to wander. According to Hull Live, stories tell of him pacing restlessly and muttering incoherently, having left his fatigued horses at the inn during a challenging winter journey across the ominous “Black Moor” from York.

Tragically, a duel of love cut the man’s life short, compelling him to return in the form of a specter, seeking his horses within the inn’s storeroom, the “most haunted” nook of the distillery, right where Hooting Owl’s new blackcurrant and licorice gin is kept behind closed doors. Hooting Owl Distillery’s founder, the former soldier Dominic M’Benga, shared insights into this spooky distillery, describing it as potentially one of the most haunted in the United Kingdom.

“If there’s a more haunted distillery in the UK I haven’t heard of it,” M’Benga informed Hull Live. “It can get exceptionally eerie at night in that room, so it seemed like the obvious place to store the Halloween gin, although the bottles do seem to have a habit of moving around!”

The Barmby Coachman is not the sole supernatural resident of this establishment. Old Joe, the phantom of a former landlord, is a red-haired apparition that also reportedly frequents the distillery. He is said to stroll about as if inspecting the process of crafting artisan gin, often with a wry, cheeky smile.

“If there was ever a haunted gin, this is it,” M’Benga added, per the report. “Not only has the gin been distilled under the watchful eye of Old Joe, we also chose to store it in the most haunted part of the distillery, even though none of us like to have to go in there too often. Hence it being limited edition.”

The Halloween-themed gin is a nod to M’Benga’s nostalgic childhood trick-or-treating days, drawing inspiration from a blend of sweet candy flavors. The recommended serving options are straightforward: enjoy it neat with crushed ice or add a splash of your favorite cola.

WGW Batalicious Gin can be purchased online through the Hooting Owl website, but prospective buyers should act swiftly, as the limited stock may vanish as mysteriously as Old Joe himself.

Founded by Dom in 2018, Hooting Owl Distillery crafts premium Yorkshire spirits, including gin, rum and vodka, inspired by the region and its heritage. Notably, a portion of the company’s profits are dedicated to supporting veteran causes.

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