Ullapool Seven Crofts Gin in line for Scottish industry award final
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A WESTER ROSS gin has been shortlisted among the finalists of a prestigious national industry award, qualifying in multiple categories.
Ullapool’s Highland Liquor Company has entered the Scottish Gin Awards 2020 with Seven Croft Gin, which was first released in April 2019, and is now running for the title in the London Dry Gin of the year, Best Newcomer, and Excellence in Branding categories.
Co-founder Robert Hicks said this result stands as a recognition of the hard work that the team at the distillery has put in since the company was founded in 2018.
"This is the first time we enter the competition and it's very flattering to be in the run up for the final and to be among so many great Scottish producers.
"It has been a strange few months, there have been many difficulties but we have managed to be stocked in many fantastic bars and restaurants and even online retail sales have been growing. We have also opened a local retail shop in Ullapool, which is a great place for people to come in."
The company, which was founded by Mr Hicks and Helen Chalmers, launched its first gin with a special release for the 14th edition of Loopallu festival in September 2018, to which followed a series of experimental bottlings the same year.
After the release of Seven Crofts London dry gin, which is named after the original seven private dwellings that made up Ullapool in 1791 and was awarded the Best New Launch Design at the World Gin Awards, they launched a Navy Strength gin on the gin called Fishermen’s Strength gin earlier this year, marking the heritage of Ullapool’s fishing community.
Seven Crofts Gin was one of 194 gins entering the competition this year, which were blind tasted by a panel of 26 judges.
Chair of the judging panel, Adam Hardie, said: “To make it to the final stage of the Scottish Gin Awards is a huge achievement so congratulations must go to all these businesses who are operating at the top of their game in Scottish gin.
“For the consumer, this list is important as it is a comprehensive study for any gin fan looking for high quality Scottish products which taste great. They have all achieved the rating of a highly regarded panel of independent experts in gin production from across the UK. We look forward to celebrating the news of the winners when we gather as an industry next week in a digital celebration.”
Winners of the competition will be announced on Thursday, November 12.
For more information visit the Awards' website at scottishginawards.co.uk.
