Collection: The Gin Straw Collection - When Celebrities Get Serious About Spirits

When Hollywood Meets the Still

Something remarkable happens when celebrities stop slapping their names on bottles and actually become gin makers. Ryan Reynolds didn't just acquire Aviation Gin - he became obsessed with it. James May approached gin-making with the same meticulous attention he brings to reassembling motorcycles. Jeremy Clarkson turned Diddly Squat Farm into a gin distillery because, well, why not? These aren't vanity projects. They're genuine craft spirits that deserve to be served properly.

Supporting the Farmers Who Make It Possible

In deference to Reynolds, May, Clarkson, and all the distillers who take their craft seriously, we want to acknowledge something important: the farmers who grow the grains that become these exceptional spirits face enormous challenges, including mental health struggles that often go unrecognized. We're committed to supporting farmers' mental health initiatives, because without healthy farmers, there are no grains. Without grains, there's no gin. It's that simple. When you choose our natural rye straws, you're supporting both the agricultural community and the craft spirits they make possible.

Why Your Straw Matters More Than You Think

Here's what Reynolds, May, and Clarkson understand that most people don't: gin is fragile. Those delicate botanicals - the juniper, coriander, angelica root, and whatever secret ingredients they're using - can be completely overwhelmed by the wrong serving vessel. Metal straws? They add metallic notes that mask the botanicals. Plastic? Off-flavors that distort the distiller's intent. Natural rye straws are completely neutral. They're what bartenders used before plastic existed, and they're what serious gin bars are returning to today.

Aviation Gin & The Reynolds Effect

Ryan Reynolds bought Aviation Gin, then proceeded to market it with the kind of irreverent genius that made Deadpool a phenomenon. But beneath the hilarious ads is a genuinely excellent gin - smooth, balanced, with a botanical profile that rewards attention. When you're serving Aviation, you're serving a spirit that someone actually cares about. Natural straws honor that commitment by staying completely out of the way, letting the gin speak for itself.

James May's Methodical Madness

Of course James May makes gin. Of course he approached it with obsessive attention to detail. Of course he insisted on traditional methods and carefully selected botanicals. James Gin is what happens when someone who once spent three days assembling a lawnmower from scratch decides to make spirits. It's meticulous, it's British, and it absolutely demands to be served with the same attention to authenticity. Natural rye straws? Obviously.

Clarkson's Agricultural Rebellion

Jeremy Clarkson's Hawkstone Gin, made at Diddly Squat Farm, represents his characteristic approach to everything: do it properly, do it British, and don't apologize. It's agricultural, it's traditional, and it's unapologetically excellent. Serving Hawkstone with natural rye straws - themselves agricultural products - creates a perfect connection from farm to glass. It's the kind of detail Clarkson would approve of, probably while complaining about something else entirely.

The Gin Cocktails That Matter

• Gin & Tonic: The ultimate test. If your gin can't shine in a G&T, it's not worth making. Natural straws won't interfere with the botanicals or the tonic's quinine bite.
• Martini: Stirred, obviously. The straw is almost beside the point here, but if you're going to use one, make it neutral and authentic.
• Tom Collins: Tall, refreshing, and perfect for showcasing gin's versatility. Our 8-inch straws are ideal for this classic.
• Negroni: Bold, bitter, botanical. The gin needs to hold its own against Campari and vermouth. Natural straws respect that complexity.

The Craft Gin Renaissance

We're living through a gin revolution. Small-batch distillers are experimenting with local botanicals, traditional methods are being rediscovered, and yes, celebrities are getting genuinely involved in the craft. This isn't your grandmother's gin (unless your grandmother had excellent taste). Modern gin demands modern thinking about service - which, ironically, means returning to pre-plastic authenticity.

For Gin Bars & Serious Enthusiasts

If you're running a gin bar with 200 bottles on your back bar, you already know that details matter. If you're a home enthusiast who seeks out Aviation, James Gin, or Hawkstone, you understand that how you serve matters as much as what you serve. Natural rye straws are the authentic choice - historically correct, completely neutral, and fully compostable. They're what serious gin service looks like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do celebrity gins actually deserve this level of attention?

When celebrities genuinely commit to craft - like Reynolds, May, and Clarkson have - absolutely. These aren't vanity projects. They're legitimate spirits that compete with traditional distilleries on quality.

How do you support farmers' mental health?

We're committed to supporting farmers' mental health initiatives because the agricultural community that grows the grains for these spirits faces unique challenges. Healthy farmers mean healthy agriculture, which means exceptional spirits.

Why are natural straws better for gin specifically?

Gin's delicate botanical profile can be altered by reactive materials. Natural rye straws are completely neutral, ensuring you taste what the distiller intended, not what your straw adds.

Which length for which gin cocktail?

5-inch for rocks glasses and martinis, 8-inch for tall drinks like G&Ts and Tom Collins. Serious gin bars stock both because different drinks demand different presentations.