Dunnet Bay Distillers Is Scottish Gin Distillery Of The Year At The Scottish Gin Awards 2019

15th October 2019

The national awards programme which celebrates excellence in Scottish gin has revealed the names of the best gins made in Scotland this year, as part of its 3rd annual competition.

The Scottish Gin Awards revealed the winners last night following a rigorous judging process involving 30 leading experts from across the UK, the assessment of 104 written entries and the blind tasting of 173 gins, all distilled in Scotland.

The ultimate award, Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year, was presented to Caithness-based Dunnet Bay Distillers after phenomenal growth in demand for their Rock Rose Gins worldwide.

The team were praised for a commitment to sustainable business practices, community engagement and investment in people as a key employer in the area. The Rock Rose team also collected two coveted taste awards - a Gold Award for Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin Winter Edition and a Silver Award for Rock Rose Old Tom Pink Grapefruit.

However, it was a small batch gin made on contract for a local delicatessen which was the surprise star of the night. Lenzie Gin which was developed by the owners of Billington's of Lenzie with contract distillers, Distillutions of Arbroath, fought off competition from 44 other contenders to win the gold medal in the London Dry Gin of the Year.

Lenzie Gin went on to win the judges prize for Gin of the Year; the best gin in the competition. The gin is made using cranberry and bilberry which grows locally in the hills around the small town located 6 miles north east of Glasgow.

Chair of the judging panel, Alex Bruce, Managing Director of Adelphi Distillery commented;"Once again, and with rising numbers of nearly 600 people, we have managed to gather as one industry, to celebrate our world-leading Scottish gin. Congratulations to all the Scottish distilleries and supporting businesses which have been successful. 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 tonight's winners will take the opportunity to promote their successes in what was the largest and toughest competition to date.

"Such is global demand in the gin category, we have increasing competition. But right across the food and drink industry, Scotland enjoys an enviable reputation for quality, innovation and endeavour, so let’s continue to work for, and with, that well-deserved reputation."

Other winners on the night included Edinburgh Gin who picked up a clutch of awards; Best Marketing Campaign for their Botanical Bouquets; a Bronze medal for Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger Gin and a Highly Commended award in the London Dry category for their Christmas Gin.

Last year’s Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year, Isle of Harris Distillers, were rewarded for their achievements in the Exporter of the Year category while the popular Scottish Gin Destination of the Year award was presented to The Orkney Distillery who also collected a silver award for their high strength gin, Kirkjuvagr Arkh-Angell. Callander-based McQueen Gin collected the award for Growth Business of the Year after tremendous growth in sales across the UK.

The news of the winners was announced at a well-attended dinner in Glasgow for almost 600 guests, largely attended by representatives from Scotland’s many gin businesses. The awards are supported by sponsors including Aldi, Schweppes, Vetroelite and the Scottish Distillers Association.

The competition founded by KDMedia, launched its third year in February and conducted a Scotland-wide search for the best gins and gin businesses. Following a blind tasting adjudicated by the international sensory management consultancy, Cara Technology, 117 gins progressed to the finals.

The awards raise funds for two nominated charities; The BEN, the Benevolent Society of the Licensed Trade of Scotland and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, set up by rugby legend Doddie Weir to help improve the lives of those affected by Motor Neurone Disease.

THE WINNERS IN FULL

Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year sponsored by Aldi

Winner: Dunnet Bay Distillers

Finalists:

Crafty Scottish Distillers

Edinburgh Gin

McQueen Gin

Gin of the Year sponsored by Vetroelite

Winner: Lenzie Gin

Best Newcomer sponsored by Kimia UK

Winner: GlenWyvis Distillery

Finalists:

Badvo Distillery

Fidra Gin

Glaswegin Distilling Co

Ice and Fire Distillery

The Pentland Still

The Port of Leith Distillery

The Wee Farm Distillery

Growth Business of the Year sponsored by Halewood

Winner: McQueen Gin

Highly Commended: The Shetland Distillery Company

Finalists:

Edinburgh Gin

Electric Spirit Co.

Gleann Mor Spirits Co

Isle of Harris Distillers

Redcastle Spirits

Innovation of the Year sponsored by MacRoberts

Winner: Lussa Drinks Company

Finalists:

Beinn an Tuirc Distillers

Crafty Scottish Distillers

John Crabbie & Co

Loch Ness Spirits

Summerhall Distillery, Pickering's Gin

The Borders Distillery

Wee Hemp Spirits

Exporter of the Year sponsored by Forth Ports

Winner: Isle of Harris Distillers

Finalists:

Dornoch Distillery Company

Glasgow Distillery Company

Best Marketing Campaign sponsored by Orb Group

Winner: Edinburgh Gin - Botanical Bouquets

Highly Commended: Beinn an Tuirc Distillers

Finalists:

Eden Mill

Mackintosh Gin

McLean's Gin

McQueen Gin

Excellence in Branding sponsored by McLaren Packaging

Winner: Lind & Lime, The Port of Leith Distillery

Finalists:

Beinn an Tuirc Distillers

Crafty Scottish Distillers

Eden Mill

Fidra Gin

Glasgow Distillery Company

Glaswegin Distilling Co

Loch Ness Spirits

Moray Distillery

Smithies Gin Company

The Biggar Gin Company

The Garden Shed Drinks Company

The Torridon

Best Brand Experience sponsored by Rankin Brothers & Sons

Winner: The A Club by Arbikie Distillery

Finalists:

Blendworks Gin School by Eden Mill

The BAFTA Scotland VIP Experience by Edinburgh Gin

Scottish Gin Destination of the Year

Winner: The Orkney Distillery, Orkney

Finalists:

Caorunn Balmenach Distillery,Speyside

Crossbill Distilling, Glasgow

Darnley's Gin, Kingsbarns

Eden Mill Blendworks, St. Andrews & Glasgow

Isle of Harris Distillery, Harris

Persie Distillery, Perthshire

Pixel Spirits, North Ballachulish

The Old Curiosity Distillery, Midlothian

The Distillery at Dalton (Oro) Lockerbie

Scottish Gin Event of the Year sponsored by Schweppes

Winner: The Big Big Gin Festival, Edinburgh Corn Exchange

Highly Commended: Gintyre, Beinn an Tuirc Distillers, Explore Campbeltown and South Kintyre Development Trust

Finalists:

Gin Jazz, Inshriach Distilling

The Gin Fayre Earles & Co.

Juniper Gin Festival, Summerhall Drinks Lab

The Gin To My Tonic Show,The Gin to My Tonic

TASTE CATEGORIES

London Dry Gin of the Year sponsored by Franklin & Sons

GOLD Lenzie Gin

SILVER Mackintosh Gin

BRONZE Glaswegin; Glaswegin Distilling Co

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Original Gin; Eden Mill

Fidra Gin; Fidra Gin

Firkin Try Me Naked; Gleann Mor Spirits Co

Edinburgh Gin Christmas; Edinburgh Gin

Holyrood Dry Gin; Holyrood Distillery

Gorse Gin; Lundin Distilling

Isle of Harris Gin; Isle of Harris Distillers

Finalists

Artist Edition - Struan, Kinrara Distillery

Avva Scottish Gin; Moray Distillery

Barra Atlantic Gin; Isle of Barra Distillers

Biggar Gin; The Biggar Gin Company

Caithness Highland Gin; Ice and Fire Distillery

Caorunn Gin; Caorunn Balmenach Distillery, International Beverage

Caorunn Gin Masters Cut; Caorunn Balmenach Distillery,

International Beverage

Crabbie's 1837; John Crabbie & Co

Crofters Tears; Ice and Fire Distillery

Crossbill 100% Scottish Dry Gin; Crossbill Distilling

Darnley's Original Gin; Darnley's Gin

Edinburgh Gin 1670; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Classic; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Seaside; Edinburgh Gin

Garden Shed Gin; The Garden Shed Drinks Company

Hills & Harbour Gin; Crafty Scottish Distillers

King's Hill Gin; The Pentland Still

Kintyre Botanical Gin; Beinn an Tuirc Distillers

Leith Gin; Gleann Mor Spirits Co

Lind & Lime Gin; The Port of Leith Distillery

Loch Ness Gin; Loch Ness Spirits

Makar Original Dry Gin; Glasgow Distillery Company

NB Samphire; NB Distillery

Oro; The Oro Distilling Co

Oro V; The Oro Distilling Co

Persie Labrador Gin; Persie Distillery

Persie Zesty Citrus Gin; Persie Distillery

Pickering's Gin; Pickering's Gin

Redcastle Scottish Gin; Redcastle Spirits

Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin Original Edition; Dunnet Bay Distillers

Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin Spring Edition; Dunnet Bay Distillers

Selkirk Gin; Selkirk Distillers

Shetland Reel Gin - Filska; The Shetland Distillery Company

Smithies Gin; Smithies Gin Company

Uisge Lusach; Uisge Lusach - The Gaelic Gins

Distilled Gin of the Year sponsored by Contract Bottlers Glasgow

GOLD Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin Winter Edition; Dunnet Bay Distillers

SILVER Kinrara Highland Dry; Kinrara Distillery

BRONZE Isle of Bute Gorse Gin; Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin

Finalists

Arcturus Gin; The Torridon

Devil's Staircase; Pixel Spirits

Edinburgh Gin Valentines; Edinburgh Gin

Four Marys Zesty Sherbet Gin; Linlithgow Distillery

Glasgow Warriors Gin - Wild Myrtle Gin; Eden Mill

Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Oyster Gin; Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin

Misty Isle Gin; Isle of Skye Distillers

Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin Autumn Edition; Dunnet Bay Distillers

Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin Summer Edition; Dunnet Bay Distillers

The Poshist; Madderty Micro

Tommy's Gin & Lest We Forget; Isle of Skye Distillers

High Strength Gin of the Year (50% ABV and over) sponsored by The Gin Cooperative

GOLD Pickerings Gin Navy Strength; Pickering's Gin

SILVER Kirkjuvagr Arkh-Angell; Orkney Distilling

BRONZE Something Clear; McLean's Gin

Finalists

Caorunn Highland Strength; Caorunn Balmenach Distillery, International Beverage

Crossbill 200yo Single Specimen Dry Gin; Crossbill Distilling

Darnley's Navy Strength Gin; Darnley's Gin

Inshriach 57% Navy Strength Speyside Dry Gin; Inshriach Distilling

LeithAl Gin; Gleann Mor Spirits Co

Navy Strength, Avva Scottish Gin; Moray Distillery

Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin Navy Strength; Dunnet Bay Distillers

Gin Liqueur of the Year

GOLD El:gin Moray Mocha; El:gin

SILVER Redcastle Passion Fruit & Mango Gin Liqueur; Redcastle Spirits

BRONZE Blackcurrant, Rhubarb & Ginger; Eden Mill in collaboration with Aldi

Finalists

Berry Good – Raspberry; Moray Distillery

Berry Good – Strawberry; Moray Distillery

Edinburgh Gin Orange Blossom & Mandarin; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Pomegranate & Rose; Edinburgh Gin

El:gin Moray Berry; El:gin

Redcastle Cranberry & Orange Winter Spice Liqueur; Redcastle Spirits

Redcastle Raspberry & Pomegranate Gin Liqueur; Redcastle Spirits

Shetland Reel, Rhubarb and Bramble Gin Liqueur; Shetland Distillery

The Glesart, McLean’s Gin

Cask Gin of the Year sponsored by Wolffe

GOLD Makar Mulberry Aged Gin; Glasgow Distillery Company

SILVER Cask Finish Gin, Avva Scottish Gin; Moray Distillery

BRONZE Firkin Cask Aged - Cote Du Roussilion Red; Gleann Mor Spirits Co

Finalists

Firkin Cask Aged – Islay; Gleann Mor Spirits Co

Firkin Gin - Navy Strength Cask Aged; Gleann Mor Spirits Co

Firkin Oak Aged American Oak; Gleann Mor Spirits Co

GlenWyvis Christmas GoodWill Spiced Gin; GlenWyvis Distillery

Kintyre Oak Aged Gin; Beinn an Tuirc Distillers

Makar Oak Aged Gin; Glasgow Distillery Company

Rock Rose Reserve Sauternes Cask Edition; Dunnet Bay Distillers

Shetland Reel Gin - Up Helly Aa 2019; The Shetland Distillery Company



Flavoured Gin of the Year

GOLD Persie Herby & Aromatic Gin; Persie Distillery

SILVER Persie Spaniel Gin; Persie Distillery

BRONZE Misty Isle Mulled Christmas Gin; Isle of Skye Distillers

Finalists

Elgin Heather Honey; El:gin Findrassie

Kinrara Distiller's Edition - Oaked Spice Gin; Kinrara Distillery

Kinrara Distiller's Edition - Rose & Cardamon Gin; Kinrara Distillery

Kinrara Hibiscus Gin; Kinrara Distillery

Lemon Verbena; The Old Curiosity Distillery

Fruit Flavoured Gin of the Year

GOLD Caorunn Scottish Raspberry; International Beverage

SILVER Passion Fruit & Coconut Gin ,Eden Mill in collaboration with Aldi

BRONZE Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger Gin; Edinburgh Gin

Finalists

Blueberry & Vanilla Gin; Eden Mill

Kinrara Distiller's Edition - Lime & Lemongrass Gin; Kinrara Distillery

Madderty Micro Orange Marmalade Gin; Madderty Micro

Makar Cherry Gin; Glasgow Distillery Company

McQueen Pink Gin; McQueen Gin

Plum & Pink Grapefruit; Eden Mill

Ripple Gin; Lundin Distilling

Old Tom Gin of the Year sponsored by Scottish Distillers Association

GOLD Holyrood Auld Tam; Holyrood Distillery

SILVER Rock Rose Old Tom Pink Grapefruit; Dunnet Bay Distillers

BRONZE Firkin Old Tom; Gleann Mor Spirits Co

Finalists

Crabbie’s 1891; John Crabbie & Co.

Esker Honey Spiced Gin; Esker Spirits

Makar Old Tom; Glasgow Distillery