NORTH Yorkshire has long been known for its real ales and mineral waters.

Now it is developing a reputation for a more potent beverage after being identified as the second biggest contributor to the UK’s rising premium gin sales, with 64,188 more litres – equivalent to 800 bath tubs – selling at bars than last year.

While a quarter of all gin drinking is done in London, gin distribution and consumption is exploding in the county, with researchers finding cities including York are driving its growth.

The findings by market consultants CGA, follow a number of gin producers launching in recent years in North Yorkshire, including Harrogate-based Slingsby Gin, Whittaker’s Gin, which is produced in Nidderdale, and Bedale-based Mason’s Gin. It also comes after the launch of premium gin bars in the region, such as Genever in Darlington earlier this month, which offers 38 different types of the spirit.

The producers claim North Yorkshire water has been a factor in their success, while Karl Mason, of Mason’s Gin, said he set up a distillery in his home town after struggling to find of top quality gin.

Marcus Black, co-owner of Slingsby Gin, said the firm had sold about 15,000 bottles in its first year and rising demand had led the business to open a “store and gin experience”, The Spirit of Harrogate, in the town.

He said the stigma of the drink being known as Mother’s Ruin and the idea of only serving the drink with ice and a slice were long gone.

Mr Black said: “With so much history behind it, it comes as no surprise that Yorkshire is top when it comes to the premium gin renaissance. Yorkshire folk are taking to gin like nowhere else and we are continually having customers coming through the door who have excellent and building gin knowledge.”

Former Yorkshire Dales property landlord Toby Whittaker, who launched his venture last year and is celebrating winning a silver award at the International Wine and Spirits Competition earlier this week, said he believed the rapid rise in consumption of the drink could be linked to people in the area being canny with their money.

Mr Whittaker, who is set to produce 20,000 bottles of the drink this year, added: “When you are trying to to assess what value you get for your buck, you look at the gins and find they are cheaper than premium whisky.”