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Perthshire distillery among cream of the crop at Scottish Gin Awards

Winning gin-makers deliver perfect tonic for Scotland's food and drink sector.

Simon and Chrissie Fairclough, of Persie Distillery.
Simon and Chrissie Fairclough, of Persie Distillery. Image: Dougie Nicolson / DCT Media.

Persie Distillery, near Bridge of Cally in Pethshire, has scooped one of the top honours at the latest annual “Oscars” for Scotland’s gin-makers.

It was recognised in the category for excellence in branding at the seventh annual Scottish Gin Awards in Glasgow.

Persie Distillery is run by Simon and Chrissie Fairclough.

North Uist Distillery in the Western Isles was crowned distillery of the year for a second year in a row.

Judges hailed it as a “formidable business with an impressive range of gins”.

The Hebridean distillery also scooped the award for best new product for its Downpour Coast & Croft gin.

Five colorful gin tonic cocktails in wine glasses on bar counter.
Image: Shutterstock

The Scottish Gin Awards is the one of the largest competitions do its kind in the UK.

Winners were chosen after a blind tasting of nearly 200 gins, all distilled in Scotland.

Judging panel chairman Adam Hardie, partner and head of food and drink at Aberdeen-based accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael, said: “It continues to be a very tough and challenging year but many are not just surviving but excelling.

Adam Hardie, head of food and drink at Johnston Carmichael.
Adam Hardie, head of food and drink at Johnston Carmichael. Image: Peter Ranscombe

“For success in business we need formidable leadership, strong brands, great tasting products, good distribution and profitable growth.  Congratulations to all the finalists and winners.

“We wish them future success on the back of these well-deserved awards.”

North Uist Distillery co-founders Jonny Ingledew and Kate MacDonald.
North Uist Distillery co-founders Jonny Ingledew and Kate MacDonald. Image: North Uist Distillery

Kirsten Speirs, director of KDMedia and founder of the accolades, said: “The Scottish Gin Awards continues to highlight achievements in gin distilling at a national level.

“Wise gin drinkers will see that these gins are the best made in Scotland right now and shop with the knowledge they come highly recommended by our gin experts from across in the UK.”

The winners:

  • Scottish gin distillery of the year  – North Uist Distillery
  • Excellence in branding – Persie Distillery
  • Excellence in sustainability – North Point Distillery
  • Excellence in packaging – Isle of Barra Distillers
  • Gin tourist destination of the year – Beinn an Tuirc Distillers
  • Ready to drink product of the year – Angels Dare Cocktails, Cheeky Wee Kiss
  • Best new product of the year – North Uist Distillery, Downpour Coast & Croft
  • London dry gin of the year – North Point Distillery, Crosskirk Bay
  • Distilled gin of the year – Edinburgh Gin, Seaside
  • Citrus flavoured gin of the year –  Edinburgh Gin, Orange & Basil
  • Herb and spice flavoured gin of the year – Linlithgow Distillery, Four Marys Subtly Spiced
  • High strength gin of the year – The Biggar Gin Company, Biggar Strength
  • Pink gin of the year – Great Glen Distillery, Premium Pink
  • Festive gin of the year – Fassfern Distillery, Christmas Gin
  • Old Tom of the year – North Uist Distillery, Downpour Pink
  • Gin liqueur of the year – Summerhall Distillery, Pickering’s Sloe Gin
  • Cask gin of the year – Linlithgow Distillery, LinGin Cask Aged #3 (Oloroso)
  • Flavoured gin of the year – Lanark Distillery, Corra Linn Handcrafted Scottish Raspberry Gin

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