Two awards for Caithness distillery at Scottish gin competition
A CAITHNESS distillery is toasting its success in the Scottish Gin Awards. Dunnet Bay Distillers won two awards – for excellence in sustainability and for the gin tourist destination of the year.
The wins delighted the company which was set up by husband and wife, Martin and Claire Murray in 2014. It is the latest in a number of awards the distillery has won in the past eight years.
The ceremony – taking place for the sixth year – is the one of the largest gin competitions in the UK. The winners were announced following a rigorous judging process involving 46 leading experts, the assessment of 63 written entries and the blind tasting of over 200 gins, all distilled in Scotland.
The ultimate award, Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year, was presented to North Uist Distillery which also collected the award for Excellent in Branding.
The chairman of the judging panel, Adam Hardie, partner and head of food and drink at Johnston Carmichael, said:
"Do not underestimate how difficult the conditions are just now for Scottish Gin distillers across Scotland. To have been recognised in the Scottish Gin Awards this year is a phenomenal achievement and these results shine a light on those businesses which have excelled under pressure and can deliver excellent product whatever the weather holds. Congratulations to all our winners across the country."
Over 300 guests from the Scottish drinks industry attended the event in Glasgow.
Dunnet Bay Distillers is aiming to expand its operations by creating a £4 million whisky distillery on the outskirts of Castletown.
As previously reported, the company hopes the distillery at the old mill, near the beach, could be open in under two years time.
The company sells its award-winning gin and vodka throughout the UK and to over 20 countries worldwide.
