AS days of celebration go, this has got to be one of our favourites yet. Did you know it was World Gin Day? If not, don’t panic, our resident expert in all things alcoholic has you covered.

Here is what CN Group columnist, Gerard Richardson MBE, has to say:

“As it’s World Gin day, I thought it only right that we should revisit the subject. After all it’s perhaps the fastest growing and most exciting sector in the whole of the drinks industry right now. That’s not bad for a product that governments have tried to ban in the past, and that has the unenviable nickname of ‘Mothers Ruin’.

“When Gin arrived on our shores in the 16th Century from Holland, it quickly grew in popularity because it was so cheap to produce and fast became the drink of the underclass. Ironic then that, when you fast forward to the 20th Century, a G and T was seen as middle- to upper-class.

“Now, in the early part of the 21st Century, it's finally found itself being embraced by all. Gin parties and Gin making experiences are becoming quite common now although for me personally it still really comes into it’s own in cocktails.

“At its most basic level, gin is just a clear spirit flavoured with various botanicals - the most common of which is of course Juniper - but it’s the vast number of potential botanicals that make it such an interesting product. Rhubarb, nettle, fennel, citrus and on, and on, and on: the list is basically endless.

“If it’s aromatic or carries a strong flavour then someone will add it to Gin these days and then of course when its poured into the glass its often partnered with flavoured tonics and all manner of fruits of the forest. Gin is basically an alcoholic Meccano set for adults and the possibilities are endless.

“We cant discuss the subject without mentioning some of the incredible locally distilled gins and we really are spoiled in West Cumbria with the Lakes Distillery, the award winning Bedrock Gin and the newest addition to the pack, Shed 1 Distillery in Ulverston.

“Shed 1 was founded by the Shakespearian actor Andy Arnold Bennett, who has made compound gins as a hobby for many years. When he moved into his current house which has two garden sheds, boxes were sorted according to whether they were going into Shed 1 or Shed 2 so when he realised he could fit a micro still in Shed 1 the name was obvious.

“I asked Andy why he thought gin had suddenly become so popular in the UK and he gave me a cracking answer. He said that people have realised there's a world of flavours inside the world of gin and that, when you combine this with the growing choice of garnishes and tonics, the flavour possibilities are endless. Basically, we’re all becoming master blenders in our own homes. What's not to like?”

Follow @gerardfinewine on Twitter for all his alcoholic expertise.