From Camino Pilgrim to Gin Maker: Tom Cartwright’s Journey

At 18, Tom Cartwright set out on the Camino de Santiago after hearing about it from a friend. With no set expectations, he embraced the adventure, meeting fellow pilgrims and soaking in the landscapes of northern Spain. That first walk planted the seed for what would later become Camino Gin – a tribute to the journey that shaped him.

The Journey Begins

Tom Cartwright first heard about the Camino de Santiago from a friend and quickly decided to make the trek himself in 2016. At just 18, he was searching for a personal challenge and a fresh perspective on life. With little preparation and no set expectations, Tom embraced the Camino’s rhythm – meeting fellow pilgrims from around the globe, experiencing the beauty of northern Spain, and discovering the joy in life’s simple essentials.

A Taste of Inspiration

After completing his Camino, Tom returned to the UK determined to keep the spirit of the journey alive in his everyday life. As a cocktail bartender with a love for craft spirits, he had an idea: create a gin inspired by botanicals found along the Camino Francés. Partnering with a local distillery, he experimented with over 30 ingredients, eventually crafting a gin infused with flavors like fig, elderflower, bilberry, and blue cornflower – each one a nod to the landscapes and memories of the pilgrimage.

Sharing the Camino Spirit

Camino Gin isn’t just a drink – it’s Tom’s way of telling the Camino’s story and connecting with fellow pilgrims around the world. From sending his first bottle to Casa Susi on the Camino to dreaming up a Camino cocktail book, Tom continues to merge his two passions: distilling and sharing the magic of the pilgrimage. His next big plan? Walk from his distillery in Cheshire all the way to Santiago, tracing a personal route that links his craft directly to the Camino’s heart.