A NEW eco-friendly gin bottle has been launched by an award-winning distillery.

The new sustainable Whitby Gin bottle is the result of 18 months research and testing by the co-founders of Whitby Distillery, Luke Pentith and Jess Slater.

Jess said: “Our new bottle has docked! We are very proud to launch our environmentally-friendly, plastic-free bottle, which has been designed and manufactured in Yorkshire.

“Our beautifully sculpted bottle contains the coastal spirit of the North Sea and is an extension of Whitby Distillery’s identity and commitment to sustainability."

The bottle is sealed with an all-natural cork with a wooden top and a paper seal featuring Whitby maritime co-ordinates, and when the bottle is turned upside down, customers will discover the base is designed as an ammonite.

The bottle, which retails at £39, is available from retail outlets across the county, including Keelham Farmshop, near Skipton, English Heritage sites, Fenwick's in York and Castle Howard.

She said: “The colour is a nod to the oak used for local shipbuilding. The overriding shape reflects the buoys that you can spot bobbing up and down in Whitby Harbour, while the ripples are reminiscent of the rugged North Sea. If you look carefully, you’ll notice waves crashing up the neck of the bottle, like those which crash against the West Pier on stormy nights.

“The flared finish guarantees an easy pour. The beautifully crafted label was designed in North Yorkshire and encapsulates the classic British seaside spirit. Each bottle is hand numbered.”

Since Luke and Jess founded their company three years ago, they have grown their business from a project to one where their gin is stocked in more than 300 outlets across the country.

The gin is crafted using hand-foraged botanicals from the Yorkshire coast and moorland and more than 600 bottles of it are sold every week.

Subject to planning, Luke and Jess are now looking to move close to Whitby Abbey by renovating empty buildings on Abbey Lands Farm. A decision from the planners is expected next month.

For further information, and a full list of gins and stockists, visit www.whitbydistillery.com.