The national awards programme which celebrates excellence in Scottish gin has revealed the best gins made in Scotland as part of its 4th annual competition.
The Scottish Gin Awards is the largest gin competition in the UK and revealed its winners last night following a rigorous judging process involving 38 leading experts, the assessment of 85 written entries and the blind tasting of 194 gins, all distilled in Scotland.
The ultimate award, Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year, was presented to Crafty Distillery in Newton Stewart, Dumfries and Galloway, following a year in which it had achieved international growth while maintaining its locally crafted, high quality product values.
The team behind Hills & Harbour Gin were praised for achieving a perfect balance between provenance, sustainability, sales growth, and product quality. Judges commended evidence that it had extended its reach across the UK and globally with a series of new and extended distribution deals.
The biggest product award of the night went to Port of Leith Distillery who won The Gold Award for London Dry Gin of the Year for their Lind and Lime Gin. The product fought off competition from 51 finalists in the most popular category of the night. The Silver Award was presented to Eidyn Gin (Pronounced Eden) a collaboration between The Old Curiosity Distillery in Midlothian and ALDI. The Bronze Award was presented to a small batch gin, The Purist Gin made by a lockdown start up, Designer Spirits with Distillutions of Arbroath.
Chair of the judging panel, Adam Hardie, Head of Food and Drink for Johnston Carmichael, commented:
“Congratulations to all our Scottish gin businesses for their achievements in this most challenging of years. Despite the head winds, the Scottish Gin industry has demonstrated its creativity, resilience, and determination to succeed, while maintaining our status as creators of some of the best gin in the world.
“Winning a Scottish Gin Awards medal is a significant achievement and provides a huge opportunity to promote Scottish gin both at home and abroad. I hope that this year’s winners will take the opportunity to promote their successes and increase their sales, in what was the largest and toughest competition to date.”
The distillery which scored the highest in the taste competition was Moray distiller, El:gin Findrassie, who collected two Gold Medals for El:Gin Speyside Heather Honey (Flavoured Gin) and El:Gin Moray Berry (Gin Liqueur) MacIntosh Gin and McQueen Gin also performed well collecting a Gold Medal and a Silver Medal each while Edinburgh Gin collected three medals, two Silver and one Bronze.
In the business categories, Eden Mill of St Andrews collected three awards for Best Branding Experience, Excellence in Branding and Product Development Team of the Year.
The news of the winners was announced at a live digital event broadcast from the Glasgow Doubletree by Hilton Hotel by host, the comedian Des Clarke. Over 250 guests from across the UK logged on to participate in the digital event which was highly interactive involving 40 virtual tables designed in a virtual Awards Room. Guests enjoyed 1:1 live chat, table to table chat and sent messages of support to all guests.
The annual awards are supported throughout the year by support sponsors Schweppes, Vetroelite, Scottish Distillers Association, Cara Technology, Wolffe and Vision Events Glasgow. Three award sponsors also supported the event on the night presenting categories sponsored by Halewood, Rankin Brothers & Sons and The Gin Cooperative.
The competition founded by KDMedia in 2016, developed the blind tasting and scoring regime with the award winning, international sensory management consultancy, Cara Technology. Their sensory experts moderated tastings over several carefully designed sessions when samples were despatched in batches to judges to judge from home. All judges had to participate in a live Zoom to make sure that all samples were judged at the same time, to eliminate any outside environmental factors.
194 gins were analysed based on a 5-point scoring system with judges recording scores for aroma, appearance, taste, and an overall score. The results were compiled using these four scores, plus an average score taken from the appearance, aroma, and taste marks. The gins were then ranked based on their overall score average to produce the winners.
Only three medals are presented in every category making the Scottish Gin Awards tough to win and highly sought after.
THE WINNERS IN FULL
Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year sponsored by Schweppes
Winner: Crafty Scottish Distillers
Finalists:
- Glasgow Distillery Company
- Isle of Skye Distillers
- John Crabbie & Co
- McQueen Gin
- The Port of Leith Distillery
Gin of the Year sponsored by Vetroelite
The gin which scored the highest average mark in the competition
Winner: Mackintosh Pineapple & Grapefruit Old Tom Gin; Mackintosh Gin
Best Newcomer
Winner: Highland Liquor Company, Seven Crofts Gin
Finalists:
- Bloodline Spirits
- Double Trouble Drinks
- Inspirited
- Isle of Raasay Distillery
- Nautilus Gin Foundry
- North Uist Distillery
- Roehill Springs Distillery
- Tayport Distillery
- Wallhouse Distillery
Growth Business of the Year
Winner: John Crabbie & Co
Finalists:
- Fidra Gin
- Isle of Barra Distillers
- Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin
- Lenzie Gin
Excellence in Sustainability
Winner: Beinn an Tuirc Distillers
Finalists:
- Electric Spirit Co.
- Ice and Fire Distillery
- Kilty Gin
- Little Brown Dog Spirits
- Tarbraxus Distillers
Best Brand Experience sponsored by Rankin Brothers & Sons
Winner: Eden Mill St. Andrews
Finalists:
- City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School
- Crafty Scottish Distillers
- Inspirited
- Skaill House
- South Loch Gin Distillery at 56 North
- Toll House Spirits
Best Marketing Campaign
Winner: Edinburgh Gin for “Filled with Wonder”
Finalists:
- Eden Mill St. Andrews for “Stay Home and Chill with Eden Mill”
- International Beverage for Caorunn “Simple Pleasures”
- John Crabbie & Co for “Gins Launched in Partnership with Scottish Rugby”
Excellence in Branding sponsored by Wolffe
Winner: Eden Mill St. Andrews
Finalists:
- Carse of Stirling Distillers
- City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School
- El:gin Findrassie
- Fidra Gin
- Glasgow Distillery Company
- Glaswegin Distilling Co.
- Highland Liquor Company
- Kinrara Distillery
- Lussa Drinks Company
- North Uist Distillery
- Snawstorm Scottish Spirits
- Stewart Brewing
- The Biggar Gin Company
- The Pentland Still
- Tiree Whisky Company (Tyree Gin)
Scottish Gin Destination of the Year sponsored by Scottish Distillers Association
Winner: Darnley’s Gin
Finalists:
- Fairytale Distillery
- Orkney Distilling
- Red Door Gin at Benromach Distillery
- South Loch Gin Distillery at 56 North
- The Old Curiosity Distillery
- The Wee Farm Distillery
Product Development Team of the Year sponsored by Halewood
Winner: Eden Mill St. Andrews
Finalists:
- Black Thistle Distilleries
- ELJ Drinks
- Loch Lomond Group (Ben Lomond Gin)
- McQueen Gin
- Toll House Spirits
TASTE CATEGORIES
London Dry Gin of the Year sponsored by Cara Technology
GOLD: Lind & Lime Gin; Port of Leith Distillery
SILVER: Eidyn Gin; The Old Curiosity Distillery and Aldi
BRONZE: Purist Gin; Purist Gin
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
- Ben Lomond Gin
- Darnley’s Original Gin
- Edinburgh Gin Classic
- Isle of Harris Gin
- Inspirited Original
- Kintyre Botanical Gin
- Lenzie Gin
Finalists
- 1881 Hydro Gin London Dry; Peebles Hydro
- Aberdeen Gin; City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School
- Acquine Scottish Craft Gin; Lidl GB
- Black Thistle Cluaran; Black Thistle Distilleries
- Cairngorm Gin; Cairngorm Gin Company
- Caorunn Small Batch Scottish Gin; International Beverage
- Ceann Loch Citrus Gin; Beinn an Tuirc Distillers
- Crabbie’s 1837 London Dry Gin; John Crabbie & Co
- Darnley’s Spiced Gin; Darnley’s Distillery
- Downpour Scottish Dry Gin; North Uist Distillery
- Eden Mill Original Gin; Eden Mill St. Andrews
- Edinburgh Gin 1670; Edinburgh Gin
- Edinburgh Gin Christmas; Edinburgh Gin
- Edinburgh Gin Seaside; Edinburgh Gin
- Farmhouse Gin; Farmhouse Gin
- Fidra Gin; Fidra Gin
- Fresh Gin; City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School
- Glaswegin; Glaswegin Distilling Co.
- Heart Of Alba; John Crabbie & Co
- Hills & Harbour Gin; Crafty Distillery
- Isle of Bute Island Gin; Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin
- Isle of Bute Oyster Gin; Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin
- Kilty Gin; Kilty Gin
- King’s Hill Gin; The Pentland Still
- Kirkjuvagr Gin; Orkney Distilling
- Mackintosh London Dry Gin; Mackintosh Gin
- Makar Original Dry Gin; Glasgow Distillery Company
- McQueen Super Premium Dry Gin; McQueen Gin
- Miss G. Gorgeous Scottish Gin; Gorgeous Gin
- Misty Isle Cill Targhlain Gin; Isle of Skye Distillers
- Perth Gin; Perth Distillery Company
- Red Door Gin; Benromach Distillery
- RSPB Wild; The Old Curiosity Distillery
- Scottish Dry Gin; Eden Mill St. Andrews & ALDI UK
- Seven Crofts; Highland Liquor Company
- Snawstorm Dry Gin; Snawstorm Scottish Spirits.
- The Collector; Stewart Brewing
- The Wandering Gin; City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School
- Thyme for Rosemary Gin; City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School
- Tuck Shop Gin; City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School
- Wild Juniper; Kinrara Distillery
Distilled Gin of the Year sponsored by Cara Technology
GOLD: Isle of Bute Gorse Gin; Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin
SILVER: Rule Gin; Bloodline Spirits
BRONZE: Wild Rose Gin; Tayport Distillery
Finalists
- Achroous; Electric Spirit Co.
- Artist Edition & Freya; Kinrara Distillery
- Barra Atlantic Gin; Isle of Barra Distillers
- Biggar Gin Original; The Biggar Gin Company
- Caithness Highland Gin; Ice and Fire Distillery
- Crofters Tears Highland Gin; Ice and Fire Distillery
- Drovers Gin; The Wee Farm Distillery
- Edinburgh Gin Valentines; Edinburgh Gin
- el:gin; El:gin Findrassie
- Elements by Haysmiths Air; ALDI
- Elements by Haysmiths Earth; ALDI
- Elements by Haysmiths Fire; ALDI
- Gin No 5; Roehill Springs
- Isle of Bute Oaked Gin; Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin
- Isle of Raasay Gin; Isle of Rassay Distillery
- Kinrara Highland Dry; Kinrara Distillery
- LBD Gin; Little Brown Dog Spirits
- Lunun Gin; Lunun Gin
- Misty Isle Gin; Isle of Skye Distillers
- Redcastle Handcrafted Scottish Gin; Toll House Spirits
- Skaill House Gin; Skaill House
- Sutors Gin; Nautilus Gin Foundry
- Wallhouse Gin “Wally”; Wallhouse Distillery
- Wild Island Botanic Gin Distiller’s Cut; Colonsay Beverages
High Strength Gin of the Year (50% ABV and over) sponsored by The Gin Cooperative
GOLD: Tarbert Legbiter Navy Strength Gin; Beinn an Tuirc Distillers
SILVER: Mackintosh Mariner Strength Gin; Mackintosh Gin
BRONZE: Edinburgh Gin Cannonball; Edinburgh Gin
Finalists
- 1881 Navy Strength Hydro Gin; Peebles Hydro
- Biggar Strength Gin; The Biggar Gin Company
- Caorunn Gin Masters Cut; International Beverage
- Caorunn Highland Strength; International Beverage
- Farmers Strength Drovers Gin; The Wee Farm Distillery
- Navy Strength Rock Rose Gin; Dunnet Bay Distillery
- Spiced Gin Navy Strength; Darnley’s Distillery
Gin Liqueur of the Year
GOLD: Moray Berry; El:gin Findrassie
SILVER: Edinburgh Gin Raspberry Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin
BRONZE: Redcastle Raspberry & Pomegranate Gin Liqueur; Toll House Spirits
Finalists
- Colonsay Gin Bramble Liqueur; Wild Thyme Spirits
- Crabbie’s 1858 Wildberry Liqueur; John Crabbie & Co
- Edinburgh Gin Apple and Spice Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin
- Edinburgh Gin Elderflower Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin
- Edinburgh Gin Mulled Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin
- Edinburgh Gin Orange Blossom & Mandarin Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin
- Edinburgh Gin Plum and Vanilla Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin
- Edinburgh Gin Pomegranate and Rose Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin
- Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb and Ginger Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin
- Edinburgh Gin Strawberry and Pink Pepper Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin
- King’s Hill Rhubarb & Amaretto Liqueur; The Pentland Still
- Kintyre Orange and Coffee Liqueur; Beinn an Tuirc Distillers
- Lenzie Gin Liqueur; Lenzie Gin
- Mango and Pineapple Liqueur; Eden Mill St. Andrews
- Moray Mocha; El:gin Findrassie
- Raspberry, Vanilla and Meringue Liqueur; Eden Mill St. Andrews
- Redcastle Blood Orange & Rhubarb Gin Liqueur; Toll House Spirits
- Redcastle Strawberry & Elderflower Gin Liqueur; Toll House Spirits
- Salted Caramel & Baked Apple Gin Liqueur; Eden Mill St. Andrews & ALDI UK
- Spiced Rhubarb Crumble Liqueur; Eden Mill St. Andrews
Flavoured Gin of the Year
GOLD: El:gin Speyside Heather Honey; El:gin Findrassie
SILVER: McQueen Premium Pink Gin; McQueen Gin
BRONZE: Rose & Cardamom; Kinrara Distillery
Finalists
- 1881 Pavilion Pink Hydro Gin; Peebles Hydro
- 1881 Subtly Smoked Hydro Gin; Peebles Hydro
- Chocolate and Chilli Gin; Eden Mill St. Andrews
- El:gin Gin-gle Gin; El:gin Findrassie
- Hebridean Pink Gin; Tiree Whisky Company
- Inspirited Pink; Inspirited
- Isle of Bute Heather Gin; Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin
- Lavender and Echinacea Gin; The Old Curiosity Distillery
- Misty Isle Mulled Christmas Gin; Isle of Skye Distillers
Fruit Flavoured Gin of the Year
GOLD: Toradh Rhubarb and Ginger Gin; McQueen Gin & ALDI
SILVER: Edinburgh Gin Lemon & Jasmine Gin; Edinburgh Gin
BRONZE: Crabbie’s Citrus Orange Gin – George Crabbie Edition; John Crabbie & Co
Finalists
- Ben Lomond Raspberry & Elderflower Infused Gin; Loch Lomond Group
- Boe Passion Fruit Gin; Boe Gin
- Caorunn Scottish Raspberry; International Beverage
- Clydesdale Gin; The Wee Farm Distillery
- Crabbie’s Pink Raspberry & Ginger Gin – Jack Crabbie Edition; John Crabbie & Co
- Double Trouble Gin; Double Trouble Drinks
- Downpour Sloe & Bramble Gin; North Uist Distillery
- Edinburgh Gin Bramble & Honey Gin; Edinburgh Gin
- Edinburgh Gin Raspberry Gin; Edinburgh Gin
- Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger Gin; Edinburgh Gin
- Ellis Gin No.5 Lemon Gin; ELJ Drinks
- Heart Of Alba Raspberry; John Crabbie & Co
- Lemon Verbena; The Old Curiosity Distillery
- McQueen Black Cherry and Vanilla Gin; McQueen Gin
- Plum and Pink Grapefruit; Eden Mill St. Andrews & ALDI
- South Loch Citrus & Lime Flower; South Loch Gin Distillery at 56 North
Old Tom Gin of the Year
GOLD: Mackintosh Pineapple & Grapefruit Old Tom Gin; Mackintosh Gin
SILVER: Makar Old Tom Gin; Glasgow Distillery Company
BRONZE: South Loch Black Raspberry Old Tom; South Loch Gin Distillery at 56 North
Finalists
- Colonsay Gin Cait Sith; Wild Thyme Spirits
- Crabbie’s 1891 Old Tom; John Crabbie & Co
- Kirkjuvagr Beyla Gin; Orkney Distilling
- Misty Isle Pink Raspberry Old Tom Gin; Isle of Skye Distillers
- No 29; Fairytale Distillery
- Smithies Honeycomb Old Tom; Smithies Gin Company