A NEW gin made up of smoky ingredients has been launched by the owners of a distillery which was completely destroyed by a fire earlier this year.

Cathy and Karl Mason, owners of Masons Yorkshire Gin, have continued to run the firm despite the devastating fire at their factory in Bedale, North Yorkshire in April.

On Tuesday, April 2, an explosion at the factory was reported at about 8am.

It took 35 firefighters, six fire engines and an aerial ladder platform to gain control of the blaze which had already spread across the site.

No-one was injured, but the factory was rendered unusable and existing stock destroyed.

In the aftermath of the fire, the Mason’s said they had set-up a “makeshift office” around their dining-table, while they recruited their head distiller to visit other distilleries to continue production of their labels

This week, a new gin, ‘Smouldering Heights’ – named as a representation of how the firm had overcome” the fire – was released.

The drink was developed in a collaboration with distillery company, That Boutique-y Gin and is made up of smoky ingredients, including beech-smoked and peat-smoked malt, heather and Szechuan pepper.

Mr Mason said: “This is a liquid created at Masons Yorkshire Gin distillery prior to the fire, that represents our local heritage and traditions.

“Even the label design, complete with flame-thrower, was conceived before the fire – which could be seen as a little spooky.

“Now the gin, and the design, just so happen to also represent the way we’ve managed to overcome the disaster we’ve had thrown our way.

“We’re excited for this gin to get out into the world to celebrate our recovery from the fire and looking forward to feedback from our loyal Masons drinkers and some new Boutique-y fans.”

Mr Mason said the flavours of the drink had originally been inspired by the annual heather burning that takes place on the North York Moors.

Since the fire, the pair have vowed to move on from the distillery and take the firm onto “bigger and better” things.

Mr Mason added: “Things are going really well on the whole, within a week we had secured new office space, Bedale Hall, and food-grade premises where we bottle and label our gin.”

A spokesperson also confirmed that Masons would not be returning to the site of the former distillery.