North-east companies shortlisted in national gin awards

Five gin companies in the north-east will represent the region at a national awards ceremony taking place later this year.

Flying the flag at the second annual Scottish Gin Awards will be: The Teasmith Spirits Company from Udny Green; , eeNoo Gin, created by The Lost Loch Distillery on Deeside; Granite North Spirits, of Aberdeen; Still River Gin, of Deeside and Esker Gin at Kincardine O’Neil have all been recognised across the various tasting categories.

Other north-east finalists include The Craftsman Company, Aberdeen, and Cheers Café Bar, Fraserburgh both shortlisted in the Scottish Gin Bar of the Year category, and Scottish gin festival, OriGINs which took place for the first time at Duthie Park last year was nominated in the Scottish Gin Event of the Year category.

A total of 46 producers and 80 gins distilled across Scotland have progressed to the finals of the national competition. Winners will be announced on Thursday September 20 at the awards ceremony which takes place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Glasgow Central.

The awards honour both taste and business performance and were judged by a highly experienced judging panel consisting of some of Scotland and the UK’s most prestigious distilling and gin experts.

The wide-ranging competition covers 18 categories and the gins were judged earlier this month in two sessions.

Chair of the judging panel, Alex Bruce, managing director of Adelphi Distillery, said: “Congratulations to all the finalists announced today in the second annual Scottish Gin Awards.   The competition has been very tough but everyone can be assured that the process of judging is independent and free from commercial influence.

“All the finalists have progressed purely on merit and thanks to the support of a highly experienced judging panel.  We look forward to celebrating with the entire Scottish gin industry in Glasgow on the 20th September 2018.”

Here’s a look at the award categories the north-east business are contending in:

Distilled gin of the Year:

• The Teasmith
• Still River – Deeside Distillery
• eeNoo – The Lost Loch Distillery

London Dry Gin of the Year:

• Granite North Spirits

Navy Strength Gin of the Year:

• Still River – Uncut, Deeside Distillery

Speciality Gin of the Year:

• Still River Spiced Plum – Deeside Distillery
• Esker Honey Spiced Gin – Esker Spirits

Excellence in Marketing:

• Deeside Distillery & Brewery
• The Teasmith Spirit Company

Excellence in Branding:

• Esker Spirits
• The Lost Loch Distillery
• The Teasmith Spirit Company

Scottish Gin Bar of the Year:

• The Craftsman Company – Aberdeen
• Cheers Café Bar – Fraserburgh

Scottish Gin Event of the Year

• OriGINs – The Scottish Gin Festival