Scottish Gin Awards 2020 finalists revealed – did your favourite make the list?

The finalists for this year's Scottish Gin Awards have been announced.

The Scottish Gin Awards 2020 finalists have been announced, with 65 companies and 154 gins progressing to the final stage of the anticipated awards night, which this year will be a virtual event.

Earlier 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.

These 26 judges 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 194 gins entered in the competition, all distilled in Scotland.

Six businesses will compete for the coveted award, the Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year, sponsored by Schweppes and these are Crafty Scottish Distillers, Glasgow Distillery Company, Isle of Skye Distillers, John Crabbie & Co, McQueen Gin and The Port of Leith Distillery.

This year, 194 gins were entered in the 2020 awards, an increase of 12 per cent on the 2019 awards.

The products were entered by 71 different organisations all distilling in Scotland and consisting of distilleries, contract distilleries and supermarket collaborations.

154 gins have made the 2020 finals, up from 116 gins in 2019 and 80 gins in 2018.

The most popular category is London Dry Gin with 51 products in the finals.

The categories with the biggest increase in products entered in 2020 compared to 2019 is distilled gin (up by 44 per cent) and fruit flavoured gin (up by 42 per cent).

Speaking of this year's awards, 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.

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"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.”

When will the award ceremony take place?

The virtual event will be broadcast on Thursday 12 November from the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Glasgow and hosted by comedian Des Clarke.

To find out more and buy a ticket, visit the Scottish Gin Awards website.

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The finalists

Scottish gin awards 2020

ALDI UK

Beinn an Tuirc Distillers

Benromach Distillery

Black Thistle Distilleries

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Bloodline Spirits

Boe Gin

Cairngorm Gin Company

City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School

Colonsay Beverages

Crafty Distillery

Darnley's Distillery

Deerness Distillery

Double Trouble Drinks

Dunnet Bay Distillers

Eden Mill St. Andrews

Edinburgh Gin

El:gin Findrassie

Electric Spirit Co.

ELJ Drinks

Fairytale Distillery

Farmhouse Gin

Fidra Gin

Glasgow Distillery Company

Glaswegin Distilling Co.

Gorgeous Gin

Highland Liquor Company

Ice and Fire Distillery

Inspirited

International Beverage

Isle of Barra Distillers

Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin

Isle of Harris Distillers

Isle of Rassay Distillery

Isle of Skye Distillers

John Crabbie & Co

Kilty Gin

Kinrara Distillery

Lenzie Gin

Lidl

Little Brown Dog Spirits

Loch Lomond Group

Lunun Gin

Mackintosh Gin

McQueen Gin

Nautilus Gin Foundry

North Uist Distillery

Orkney Distilling

Peebles Hydro

Perth Distillery Company

Purist Gin

Roehill Springs

Skaill House

Smithies Gin Company

Snawstorm Scottish Spirits.

South Loch Gin Distillery at 56 North

Stewart Brewing

Tay Spirits

The Biggar Gin Company

The Old Curiosity Distillery

The Pentland Still

The Port of Leith Distillery

The Wee Farm Distillery

Tiree Whisky Company

Toll House Spirits

Wallhouse Distillery

Wild Thyme Spirits

Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year sponsored by Schweppes

Crafty Scottish Distillers

Glasgow Distillery Company

Isle of Skye Distillers

John Crabbie & Co

McQueen Gin

The Port of Leith Distillery

Best Newcomer

Bloodline Spirits

Double Trouble Drinks

Highland Liquor Company

Inspirited

Isle of Raasay Distillery

Nautilus Gin Foundry

North Uist Distillery

Roehill Springs Distillery

Tay Spirits Ltd

Wallhouse Distillery

Product Development Team of the Year sponsored by Halewood

Black Thistle Distilleries

Eden Mill St. Andrews

ELJ Drinks

Loch Lomond Group

McQueen Gin

Toll House Spirits

Growth Business of the Year

Fidra Gin

Isle of Barra Distillers

Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin

John Crabbie & Co

Lenzie Gin

Excellence in Sustainability

Beinn an Tuirc Distillers

Electric Spirit Co.

Ice and Fire Distillery

Kilty Gin

Little Brow Dog Spirits

Tarbraxus Distillers

 

Best Marketing Campaign

Eden Mill St. Andrews

Edinburgh Gin

International Beverage

John Crabbie & Co

 

Excellence in Branding sponsored by Wolffe

Carse of Stirling Distillers

City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School

Eden Mill St. Andrews

El:gin Findrassie

Fidra Gin

Glasgow Distillery Company

Glaswegin Distilling Co.

Highland Liquor Company

Kinrara Distillery

Lussa Drinks Company

North Uist Distillery

Snawstorm Scottish Spirits.

Stewart Brewing

The Biggar Gin Company

The Pentland Still

Tiree Whisky Company (Tyree Gin)

 

Best Brand Experience sponsored by Rankin & Sons

City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School

Crafty Scottish Distillers

Eden Mill St. Andrews

Inspirited Ltd

Skaill House

South Loch Gin Distillery at 56 North

Toll House Spirits

 

Scottish Gin Destination of the Year

Darnley's Gin

Fairytale Distillery

Orkney Distilling Ltd

Benromach Distillery; Red Door Gin

South Loch Gin Distillery at 56 North

The Old Curiosity Distillery

The Wee Farm Distillery

London Dry Gin of the Year

1881 Hydro Gin London Dry; Peebles Hydro

Aberdeen Gin; City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School

Acquine Scottish Craft Gin; Lidl GB

Ben Lomond Gin; Loch Lomond Group

Black Thistle Cluaran; Black Thistle Distilleries

Cairngorm Gin; Cairngorm Gin Company

Caorunn Small Batch Scottish Gin; International Beverage

Ceann Loch Citrus Gin; Beinn an Tuirc Distillers

Crabbie's 1837 London Dry Gin; John Crabbie & Co

Darnley's Original Gin; Darnley's Distillery

Darnley's Spiced Gin; Darnley's Distillery

Downpour Scottish Dry Gin; North Uist Distillery

Eden Mill Original Gin; Eden Mill St. Andrews

Edinburgh Gin 1670; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Christmas; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Classic; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Seaside; Edinburgh Gin

Eidyn Gin; The Old Curiosity Distillery and ALDI

Farmhouse Gin; Farmhouse Gin

Fidra Gin; Fidra Gin

Fresh Gin; City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School

Glaswegin; Glaswegin Distilling Co.

Heart Of Alba; John Crabbie & Co

Hills & Harbour Gin; Crafty Distillery

Inspirited Original; Inspirited

Isle of Bute Island Gin; Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin

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

Isle of Harris Gin; Isle of Harris Distillers

Kilty Gin; Kilty Gin

King's Hill Gin; The Pentland Still

Kintyre Botanical Gin; Beinn an Tuirc Distillers

Kirkjuvagr Gin; Orkney Distilling

Lenzie Gin; Lenzie Gin

Lind & Lime Gin; The Port of Leith Distillery

Mackintosh London Dry Gin; Mackintosh Gin

Makar Original Dry Gin; Glasgow Distillery Company

McQueen Super Premium Dry Gin; McQueen Gin

Miss G. Gorgeous Scottish Gin; Gorgeous Gin

Misty Isle Cill Targhlain Gin; Isle of Skye Distillers

Perth Gin; Perth Distillery Company

Purist Gin; Purist Gin

Red Door Gin; Benromach Distillery

RSPB Wild; The Old Curiosity Distillery

Scottish Dry Gin; Eden Mill St. Andrews & ALDI UK

Seven Crofts; Highland Liquor Company

Snawstorm Dry Gin; Snawstorm Scottish Spirits.

The Collector; Stewart Brewing

The Wandering Gin; City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School

Thyme for Rosemary Gin; City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School

Tuck Shop Gin; City of Aberdeen Distillery & Gin School

Wild Juniper; Kinrara Distillery

 

Distilled Gin of the Year

Achroous; Electric Spirit Co.

Artist Edition & Freya; Kinrara Distillery

Barra Atlantic Gin; Isle of Barra Distillers

Biggar Gin Original; The Biggar Gin Company

Caithness Highland Gin; Ice and Fire Distillery

Crofters Tears Highland Gin; Ice and Fire Distillery

Drovers Gin; The Wee Farm Distillery

Edinburgh Gin Valentines; Edinburgh Gin

el:gin;    El:gin Findrassie

Elements by Haysmiths Air; ALDI

Elements by Haysmiths Earth; ALDI

Elements by Haysmiths Fire; ALDI

Gin No 5; Roehill Springs

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

Isle of Bute Oaked Gin;   Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin

Isle of Raasay Gin; Isle of Rassay Distillery

Kinrara Highland Dry; Kinrara Distillery

LBD Gin; Little Brown Dog Spirits

Lunun Gin; Lunun Gin

Misty Isle Gin; Isle of Skye Distillers

Redcastle Handcrafted Scottish Gin; Toll House Spirits

Rule Gin; Bloodline Spirits

Skaill House Gin; Skaill House

Sutors Gin; Nautilus Gin Foundry

Wallhouse Gin "Wally";  Wallhouse Distillery

Wild Island Botanic Gin Distiller's Cut; Colonsay Beverages

Wild Rose Gin; Tay Spirits

 

High Strength Gin of the Year (50% ABV and over)

1881 Navy Strength Hydro Gin; Peebles Hydro

Biggar Strength Gin; The Biggar Gin Company

Caorunn Gin Masters Cut; International Beverage

Caorunn Highland Strength; International Beverage

Edinburgh Gin Cannonball; Edinburgh Gin

Farmers Strength Drovers Gin; The Wee Farm Distillery

Mackintosh Mariner Strength Gin; Mackintosh Gin

Navy Strength Rock Rose Gin; Deerness Distillery

Spiced Gin Navy Strength; Darnley's Distillery

Tarbert Legbiter Navy Strength Gin; Beinn an Tuirc Distillers

 

Old Tom of the Year

Colonsay Gin Cait Sith; Wild Thyme Spirits

Crabbie's 1891 Old Tom; John Crabbie & Co

Kirkjuvagr Beyla Gin; Orkney Distilling

Mackintosh Pineapple & Grapefruit Old Tom Gin; Mackintosh Gin

Makar Old Tom Gin; Glasgow Distillery Company

Misty Isle Pink Raspberry Old Tom Gin; Isle of Skye Distillers

No 29; Fairytale Distillery

Smithies Honeycomb Old Tom; Smithies Gin Company

South Loch Black Raspberry Old Tom; South Loch Gin Distillery at 56 North

 

Cask Gin of the Year sponsored by Wolffe

Makar Mulberry Aged Gin; Glasgow Distillery Company

Makar Oak Aged Gin; Glasgow Distillery Company

Rock Rose Reserve Sherry Cask Edition; Dunnet Bay Distillers

 

Flavoured Gin of the Year

1881 Pavilion Pink Hydro Gin; Peebles Hydro

1881 Subtly Smoked Hydro Gin; Peebles Hydro

Chocolate and Chilli Gin; Eden Mill St. Andrews

El:gin Gin-gle Gin; El:gin Findrassie

El:gin Speyside Heather Honey; El:gin Findrassie

Hebridean Pink Gin; Tiree Whisky Company

Inspirited Pink; Inspirited

Isle of Bute Heather Gin; Isle of Bute Hand Crafted Gin

Lavender and Echinacea Gin; The Old Curiosity Distillery

McQueen Premium Pink Gin; McQueen Gin

Misty Isle Mulled Christmas Gin; Isle of Skye Distillers

Rose & Cardamom; Kinrara Distillery

 

Fruit Flavoured Gin of the Year

Ben Lomond Raspberry & Elderflower Infused Gin; Loch Lomond Group

Boe Passion Fruit Gin; Boe Gin

Caorunn Scottish Raspberry; International Beverage

Clydesdale Gin;  The Wee Farm Distillery

Crabbie's Citrus Orange Gin - George Crabbie Edition; John Crabbie & Co

Crabbie's Pink Raspberry & Ginger Gin - Jack Crabbie Edition; John Crabbie & Co

Double Trouble Gin; Double Trouble Drinks

Downpour Sloe & Bramble Gin; North Uist Distillery

Edinburgh Gin Bramble & Honey Gin; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Lemon & Jasmine Gin; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Raspberry Gin; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger Gin; Edinburgh Gin

Ellis Gin No.5 Lemon Gin; ELJ Drinks

Heart Of Alba Raspberry; John Crabbie & Co

Lemon Verbena; The Old Curiosity Distillery

McQueen Black Cherry and Vanilla Gin; McQueen Gin

Plum and Pink Grapefruit; Eden Mill St. Andrews & ALDI

South Loch Citrus & Lime Flower; South Loch Gin Distillery at 56 North

Toradh Rhubarb and Ginger Gin; McQueen Gin

 

Gin Liqueur of the Year

Colonsay Gin Bramble Liqueur; Wild Thyme Spirits

Crabbie's 1858 Wildberry Liqueur; John Crabbie & Co

Edinburgh Gin Apple and Spice Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Elderflower Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Mulled Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Orange Blossom & Mandarin Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Plum and Vanilla Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Pomegranate and Rose Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Raspberry Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb and Ginger Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin

Edinburgh Gin Strawberry and Pink Pepper Gin Liqueur; Edinburgh Gin

King's Hill Rhubarb & Amaretto Liqueur; The Pentland Still

Kintyre Orange and Coffee Liqueur; Beinn an Tuirc Distillers

Lenzie Gin Liqueur; Lenzie Gin

Mango and Pineapple Liqueur; Eden Mill St. Andrews

Moray Berry; El:gin Findrassie

Moray Mocha; El:gin Findrassie

Raspberry, Vanilla and Meringue Liqueur; Eden Mill St. Andrews

Redcastle Blood Orange & Rhubarb Gin Liqueur; Toll House Spirits

Redcastle Raspberry & Pomegranate Gin Liqueur; Toll House Spirits

Redcastle Strawberry & Elderflower Gin Liqueur; Toll House Spirits

Salted Caramel & Baked Apple Gin Liqueur; Eden Mill St. Andrews & ALDI UK

Spiced Rhubarb Crumble Liqueur; Eden Mill St. Andrews

Scran episode 10: The community spirit behind Scotland's favourite gin - with Iona Cairns

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Known for cake making, experimental jam recipes, Champagne, whisky and gin drinking (and the inability to cook Gnocchi), Rosalind is the Food and Drink Editor and whisky writer for The Scotsman, as well as hosting Scran, The Scotsman's food and drink podcast.
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