Scottish Gin Awards 2019 finalists revealed - did your favourite make the list?

This national competition celebrates Scotland’s thriving gin industry and covers a wide range of business and taste categories.

In May this year, an experienced and respected panel of experts from across the gin industry in the UK had the enviable task of tasting and judging each category.

How does the judging work?

Our judges are working hard assessing and tasting almost 200 gins today yhabka to all 20 of them for coming #scottishgin #gin #scottishginawards pic.twitter.com/SMM9VpZSvz

— Scottish Gin Awards (@ScotGinAwards) May 28, 2019

A judging panel of 20 experts blind tasted and graded every sample under strict technical conditions.

Led by the competition’s technical consultants, sensory management experts Cara Technology, the panel assessed 173 gins entered in the competition, all distilled in Scotland.

Four distilleries will compete for the ultimate award - the Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year.

These are: Crafty Scottish Distillers (Hills & Harbour), Dunnet Bay Distillers (Rock Rose), Edinburgh Gin and McQueen Gin.

Chair of the judging panel, Alex Bruce, Managing Director of Adelphi Distillery commented: “To make it to the final stage of the Scottish Gin Awards is a huge achievement.

"The gins which have progressed to the final had to achieve a high standard of marks in a rigorous tasting session, whilst the finalists we have selected in the business awards clearly demonstrate the strength and depth which is so evident in Scottish gin distilling today.

"I congratulate all the finalists announced today in what has been a very tough competition and I look forward celebrating with the industry in October.”

Founder of the Scottish Gin Awards, Kirsten Speirs, Director of KDMedia, said: “This competition gives us a totally unique and detailed insight into the good health of the thriving Scottish gin market.

"The combination of the business information received and the blind tasting is able to produce highly regarded recommendations on the best quality products and best performing businesses.

"Congratulations to all our finalists and we look forward to raising a Scottish gin and tonic to you this evening.”

When will the award ceremony take place?

The Scottish Gin Awards annual celebration and dinner will be held on Thursday 10 October 2019 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Glasgow Central and will see over 700 guests from the industry attend.

The awards have nominated two new charities this year which will be supported by the event.

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 Neuron Disease.

The full list of finalists

Last year's winners

Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year sponsored by ALDI

Crafty Scottish Distillers (Hills and Harbour)
Dunnet Bay Distillers (Rock Rose)
Edinburgh Gin
McQueen Gin

Best Newcomer sponsored by Kimia UK

Badvo Distillery
Fidra Gin
Glaswegin Distilling Co
GlenWyvis Distillery
Ice and Fire Distillery
The Pentland Still
The Port of Leith Distillery
The Wee Farm Distillery

Growth Business of the Year sponsored by Halewood

Edinburgh Gin
Electric Spirit Co.
Gleann Mor Spirits Co
Isle of Harris Distillers
McQueen Gin
Redcastle Spirits
The Shetland Distillery Company

Innovation of the Year sponsored by MacRoberts

Beinn an Tuirc Distillers
Crafty Scottish Distillers
John Crabbie & Co
Loch Ness Spirits
Lussa Drinks Company
Pickering's Gin
The Borders Distillery
Wee Hemp Spirits

Exporter of the Year sponsored by Forth Ports

Dornoch Distillery Company
Glasgow Distillery Company
Isle of Harris Distillers

Best Marketing Campaign sponsored by Orb Group

Beinn an Tuirc Distillers
Eden Mill
Edinburgh Gin
Mackintosh Gin
McLean's Gin
McQueen Gin

Excellence in Branding sponsored by McLaren Packaging

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 Port of Leith Distillery
The Torridon

Best Brand Experience sponsored by Rankin Brothers & Sons

Arbikie Distillery - The A Club
Eden Mill – Blendworks Gin School
Edinburgh Gin –BAFTA Scotland

Scottish Gin Destination of the Year

Balmenach Distillery (Caorunn) Speyside
Crossbill Distilling, Glasgow.
Darnley's Gin, Kingsbarns, Fife
Eden Mill Blendworks, St. Andrews & Glasgow
Isle of Harris Distillery, Harris
Orkney Distillery, Orkney
Persie Distillery, Perthshire
Pixel Spirits, North Ballachulish
The Old Curiosity Distillery, Midlothian
The Distillery at Dalton (Oro) Lockerbie

Scottish Gin Event of the Year

Gintyre, Beinn an Tuirc Distillers, Explore Campbeltown and South Kintyre Development Trust
The Big Big Gin Festival, Edinburgh Corn Exchange
Gin Jazz, Inshriach Distilling
The Gin Fayre (No. 18 Ltd, Scottish Spirit Consortium)
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

Artist Edition - Struan, Kinrara Distillery
Avva Scottish Gin; Moray Distillery
Barra Atlantic Gin; Isle of Barra Distillers
Biggar Gin; Biggar Gin Company
Caithness Highland Gin; Ice and Fire Distillery
Caorunn Gin; International Beverage
Caorunn Gin Masters Cut; 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 Christmas; Edinburgh Gin
Edinburgh Gin Classic; Edinburgh Gin
Edinburgh Gin Seaside; Edinburgh Gin
Fidra Gin; Fidra Gin
Firkin Try Me Naked; Gleann Mor Spirits Co
Garden Shed Gin; The Garden Shed Drinks Company
Glaswegin; Glaswegin Distilling Co
Gorse Gin; Lundin Distilling
Hills & Harbour Gin; Crafty Scottish Distillers
Holyrood Dry Gin; Holyrood Distillery
Isle of Harris Gin; Isle of Harris Distillers
King's Hill Gin; The Pentland Still
Kintyre Botanical Gin; Beinn an Tuirc Distillers
Leith Gin; Gleann Mor Spirits Co
Lenzie Gin; Lenzie Gin
Lind & Lime Gin; The Port of Leith Distillery
Loch Ness Gin; Loch Ness Spirits
Mackintosh Gin; Mackintosh Gin
Makar Original Dry Gin; Glasgow Distillery Company
NB Samphire; NB Distillery
Original Gin; Eden Mill
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
Reiver's Gin; Selkirk Distillers
Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin Original Edition; Dunnet Bay Distillers
Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin Spring Edition; Dunnet Bay 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

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 Gorse Gin; Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin
Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Oyster Gin; Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin
Kinrara Highland Dry; Kinrara Distillery
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
Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin Winter 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)

Caorunn Highland Strength; 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
Kirkjuvagr Arkh-Angell; Orkney Distilling
LeithAl Gin; Gleann Mor Spirits Co
Navy Strength, Avva Scottish Gin; Moray Distillery
Pickerings Gin Navy Strength; Pickering's Gin
Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin Navy Strength; Dunnet Bay Distillers
Something Clear; McLean's Gin

Gin Liqueur of the Year

Berry Good – Raspberry; Moray Distillery
Berry Good – Strawberry; Moray Distillery
Blackcurrant, Rhubarb & Ginger; Eden Mill
Edinburgh Gin Orange Blossom & Mandarin; Edinburgh Gin
Edinburgh Gin Pomegranate & Rose; Edinburgh Gin
El:gin Moray Berry; El:gin Findrassie
El:gin Moray Mocha; El:gin Findrassie
Redcastle Cranberry & Orange Winter Spice Liqueur; Redcastle Spirits
Redcastle Passion Fruit & Mango Gin 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

Cask Finish Gin, Avva Scottish Gin; Moray Distillery
Firkin Cask Aged - Cote Du Roussilion Red; Gleann Mor Spirits Co
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 Mulberry Aged Gin; Glasgow Distillery Company
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

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
Misty Isle Mulled Christmas Gin; Isle of Skye Distillers
Persie Herby & Aromatic Gin; Persie Distillery
Persie Spaniel Gin; Persie Distillery

Fruit Flavoured Gin of the Year

Blueberry & Vanilla Gin; Eden Mill
Caorunn Scottish Raspberry; International Beverage
Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger Gin; Edinburgh Gin
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
Passion Fruit & Coconut Gin - Duty Free Exclusive; Eden Mill
Plum & Pink Grapefruit; Eden Mill
Ripple Gin; Lundin Distilling

Old Tom of the Year

Crabbie’s 1891; John Crabbie & Co.
Esker Honey Spiced Gin; Esker Spirits
Firkin Old Tom; Gleann Mor Spirits Co
Holyrood Auld Tam; Holyrood Distillery
Makar Old Tom; Glasgow Distillery
Rock Rose Old Tom Pink Grapefruit; Dunnet Bay Distillers