James May is working on a new 'top secret' gin recipe, with the help of a distillery near Salisbury.

The former Top Gear presenter, who released his first batch of James Gin this summer, is collaborating with Hugh Anderson, founder of Downton Distillery.

Mr Anderson has been helping James from the beginning of his craft gin journey - the two worked together to create the first batch of James Gin, called Asian Parsnip Gin.

The limited-edition batch of 1,000 litres was distilled at the Downton Distillery.

The bottles were personally signed and numbered by James, but quickly sold out.

Since then, the James Gin company says manufacturing and delivery had to be moved to English Spirit Distillery in Essex, because of their capacity to meet the "unexpectedly large order volumes".

Asian Parsnip Gin Batch Two is now on sale, and the number of bottles is unlimited this time.

The James Gin spokesperson also revealed: "Hugh and James are working on a new recipe - but that’s a secret for now…"

Asian Parsnip Gin mixes the English parsnip with South-East Asian spices, inspired by James' love of both his homeland and international travel destinations.

The James Gin website says: "I’m very flattered by your enthusiasm for my limited edition signed and numbered Asian Parsnip. I am now making another batch.

"The gin is exactly the same, but it isn't signed and numbered, because I can’t be arsed, and it's unlimited. As a result it's slightly cheaper.

"So, in essence, a more presentable bottle not defaced with the scrawl of an infant, at a better price. Order now."

It costs £39 for 70cl, and can be ordered on www.jamesgin.com

James May bought "half a pub" in Wiltshire last year.

Read more: James May's pub The Royal Oak, Swallowcliffe, has reopened

He announced in September 2020 that he had bought "one half" of the Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe.

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