The Gin Masters 2021 results (first tasting)

If anybody thinks the recognition of gin is waning, suppose once more. This yr’s version of The Gin Masters noticed an ocean of gin entered into the competitors – with extra to come back later within the yr.

Check out the newest gin knowledge from the Wine and Spirit Commerce Affiliation (WSTA), and customers’ thirst for the class might be neatly summarised as totally unquenchable. Whereas the Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge effect on gin gross sales within the on-trade, the juniper spirit’s profile has gone from power to power within the off-trade.

Retailers within the UK skilled a 30% spike in gin gross sales within the 12 months to 27 March 2021, because the class reached £1.3 billion (US$1.8bn) – equal to 80 million bottles. Flavoured gin has been a burgeoning subcategory lately – and there was no slowing down for the sector throughout the identical interval. Gross sales of flavoured gin soared by 37%, which means round 30m bottles had been snapped up over the yr. Flavoured gin now accounts for about 40% of the entire gin market by each quantity and worth, in response to the WSTA, and its market share is barely anticipated to go in a single path: up.

The ‘go-to’ spirit

When the info was launched final month, Miles Beale, chief government of the WSTA, mentioned: “Our newest gin numbers underline that studies of gin’s demise because the ‘go-to’ spirit are incorrect. Regardless of the on-trade representing a lot of our nice British distillers’ ‘store window’, and a terrific place for Brits to strive new and thrilling tipples, hospitality’s closure hasn’t dampened our enthusiasm to benefit from the huge array of gins now available on the market.

“Gross sales of gin have by no means been this excessive in our retailers and supermarkets earlier than – however that is encouraging information for our reawakening hospitality trade, too – a few of these gross sales are sure to shift over to pubs, bars and eating places.”

If the magnitude of the gin class had been ever doubtful, The Gin Masters 2021 blind tasting will certainly put any uncertainty to relaxation. The tasting marked the most important competitors in The World Spirits Masters sequence to this point – and the second a part of The Gin Masters will likely be held in October, impressed by the sheer quantity of latest merchandise nonetheless coming to market.

The Gin Masters 2021 additionally marked a return to in-person tastings as Covid-19 restrictions had been eased in England. The competition was held over two days in a bodily distanced format on the Ibis Resort in London Bridge, with the bottles packed by Wine Sorted to ensure anonymity to all entrants. This yr’s tasting was sponsored by Bevica.

On day one of many tasting, the panels comprised Chris Tanner, bar supervisor at Milroy’s, Peter Downes, distillery partnerships specialist at Craft Gin Membership, and Nicola Carruthers, deputy editor of The Spirits Enterprise journal, who chaired the panel.

Forming the second panel had been Ben Lindsay, world spirits and on-premise guide, and Ivan Dixon, unbiased spirits guide, who chaired the staff.

The third and closing panel included David T Smith, spirits author, guide and co-founder of the Craft Distilling Expo, who joined me, Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Enterprise and chair, over Zoom.

The second day of the tasting welcomed a brand new choose to the combination, Julian de Feral, worldwide bar guide and author, who judged a part of the day with Tanner and Lindsay, earlier than becoming a member of me later within the day.

Tanner, Downes and Carruthers began day one with a flight of Normal gins, priced as much as £15. “Effectively balanced, lasting” Gin Bloomberry acquired the competitors off to a stable begin with a Gold medal. 4 Silver medals had been additionally awarded on this flight.

Smith and I tackled the Premium gins, priced from £16-£20, and located two Grasp medallists. The primary was awarded to Maison Ferrand’s Citadelle Gin Jardin d’Été. The gin was mentioned to ship “very good brilliant citrus”, and was discovered to be “effectively balanced and complicated – so mixable”.

Penderyn Distillery’s Brecon Particular Reserve Gin additionally collected a Grasp medal for its “brilliant, beautiful citrus notes, good mouthfeel and complexity with good juniper”.

Eight Gold medals had been additionally awarded on this flight. Aldi’s Eidyn Botanical Gin was deemed to be as much as the Gold normal, as was Gibson’s Exception from La Martiniquaise-Bardinet and Hrafn Gin Valkyrie from Raven Spirits. A pair of Silvers accomplished the flight.

“There was a superb normal of gins right here, fairly traditional on a regular basis type of gins which might be reasonably priced, however some that additionally go above and past,” famous Smith. “It gives a pleasant, high-end gin expertise at that decrease finish of the value bracket. Nice stuff.”

In the meantime, Lindsay and Dixon tackled a big portion of the Tremendous Premium flight, that includes gins priced between £21 and £35. Carruthers and her staff of judges tasted the opposite portion. The big spherical produced 20 Gold medals and 27 Silver medals.

Among the many Gold medallists had been: Bathtub Gin, Whitley Neill Connoisseur’s Lower London Dry Gin, Hernö Gin, Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin, and Hendrick’s Lunar Gin. The Silver medallists included: Chapel Down Pinot Noir Gin, Glendalough Rose Gin, Tobermory Hebridean Mountain Gin, and Bedrock Gin.

Tanner mentioned: “It was a step up from the earlier flight – it was fairly stable. [Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin] stood out for me; actually tasty.”

The Extremely Premium flight, consisting of gins costing greater than £36, produced a formidable 5 Grasp medallists.

Beg Boutique Distillery received a Grasp for its Beg New World Navy Gin, with its “nice steadiness and complexity” and “contact of spice”. G&H Spirits additionally secured a Grasp for its LDN Preliminary Gin, which had “good juniper on the nostril” and “some crisp, natural notes”.

Hernö Gin Distillery went dwelling with two Grasp medals – one for Hernö Gin, with its “brilliant floral notes, citrus, coriander and just a little waxiness”, and a second for Hernö Juniper Cask Gin, with “contemporary pine, zesty citrus” and a “lengthy end”.

Finishing the Grasp haul was Byron’s Gin Hen Cherry by the Speyside Distillers Firm, mentioned to have a “slight tartness mid-palate” and described as a “stable gin” total.

The Extremely Premium warmth additionally produced 17 Gold medals. Successful merchandise included: “effectively balanced” Amass Dry Gin; Hernö Pink Btl Gin, with “plenty of well-integrated citrus”; Canaïma Gin, with its “beautiful Sherry nostril”; and “earthy however cleanly distilled” Byron’s Gin Melancholy Thistle.

Eleven Silver medals accomplished the flight. “To essentially shine at this excessive value level, you’ve acquired to supply one thing a bit particular. That is perhaps botanicals and flavour mixtures, however flawless distillation is a given to start out with,” mentioned Smith. “A number of the gins right here right now completely did that – those that received Masters for positive. It’s a tricky a part of the competitors – individuals are up for purchasing costly gin, however they want and need worth for cash on the similar time, they usually need one thing particular when it’s £36-plus.”

London Dry was the most important flight of the day by fairly some margin – and it was encouraging to see requirements excessive throughout this traditional gin model. 5 standout London Dry expressions took dwelling the very best accolade. Isle of Harris Gin gained a Grasp medal, with “candy, nearly Sherry-like notes” and “good depth of flavour and complexity”.

“Fragrant, earthy” Bareksten Botanical Gin from Norway additionally secured the highest award, celebrated for its “scrumptious complexity”.

Cotton Gin was deemed Grasp-worthy for its “lime and grapefruit, citrusy” nostril, with “hints of cacao nibs” on the end.

Additionally taking dwelling a Grasp on this flight was Hrafn Gin Valkyrie, with hints of “lemon drizzle cake and nuttiness”.

Finishing the Grasp run on this warmth was Warner’s London Dry Gin, with “beautiful citrus and pine” notes. “Very effectively made with glorious integration of flavours and alcohol,” famous Smith. “Over the previous few years we’ve seen a rise within the high quality of London dry gins – not simply the occasional one,” he added. “We’ve seen a normal enhance in high quality and within the technical proficiency from distillers coming into the class as effectively, which is sensible. It’s nice for them, nice for us, and nice for the trade as complete.”

London Dry additionally produced the most important variety of Gold medals ever seen in a World Spirits Masters flight – 45 – backing up Smith’s constructive stance on the phase.

Among the many huge variety of Gold medallists had been “contemporary, zesty” No.3 London Dry Gin, with “punchy juniper” on the palate, and Whitley Neill London Dry Gin.

By no means By no means Triple Juniper Gin additionally obtained a Gold medal for having “some slight lemon, myrtle, leafy natural notes”, together with Hernö Gin Distillery, which picked up two Gold medals: one for “beautifully made’ Hernö Gin and a second for Hernö Gin 47.

“Natural, barely vegetal” Ha’Penny Dry Gin was additionally discovered to be worthy of a Gold award, as was fellow Gold medallist OP Anderson Distillery Natural Dry Gin, described as “clear and spicy, with a mild sweetness”.

Tanner famous: “This flight actually impressed me. It was so constant, with actually stable entries. I take a look at these juniper-forward gins, and that’s what I’d anticipate from these gins – and that’s what I acquired.”

The London Dry flight concluded with a staggering 51 Silver medals. Funds grocery store Aldi collected two Silvers for its Greyson’s London Dry Gin and Haysmith’s London Dry.

Beefeater collected three Silver awards for Beefeater London Dry, Beefeater 24 and Beefeater Crown Jewel.

Gordon & MacPhail additionally secured two Silvers for Pink Door Gin and Pink Door Gin with Summer time Botanicals.

Within the following flight – Up to date – three Grasp medallists made their presence identified. Australia’s 4 Pillars Distillery bagged two Masters, the primary of which went to 4 Pillars Trendy Australian Gin. The gin was described as a “distinctive, standout” expression, with its “spicy, earthy nostril”.

4 Pillars Uncommon Dry Gin additionally received a Grasp, hailed for having “layers”. “Refined lifts of tangerine and orange hidden within the background elevate this,” famous Downes.

Steam Gin from Small Distillery additionally received a Grasp within the Up to date spherical, loved for “allspice on the nostril” and “hints of acidity”.

“Up to date is sort of thrilling,” mentioned Downes. “These gins had been a bit hit or miss at occasions, although. Some misplaced the enjoyable you need from modern – those that did effectively had layers to them, not only one be aware. You need a complete vary of flavours from gins on this class.”

Along with the Masters, 28 Gold medals had been discovered on this warmth. These included a quadruple Gold streak for Zamora Firm: “traditional, juniper, cucumber” Martin Miller’s Authentic Gin; “herbaceous” Martin Miller’s Summerful Gin; Martin Miller’s Winterful Gin, which had some “warming spice notes”; and Martin Miller’s Westbourne Gin, with “citrus zest and nice alcohol integration”.

A complete of 25 Silver medals had been additionally awarded on this flight. These included Kavalan Gin, Manchester Gin – Mom of Pearl, Wolf Lane Distillery Tropical Gin and Martin Miller’s 9 Moons Gin.

The Gin Masters raised the ABV because the judges tackled a flight of Navy Energy expressions. One other three Grasp medallists had been found. Aura Gin Navy Energy took the highest award, with its “biscuit, buttery nostril, with plenty of cardamom and toasted notes, light lavender and a citrus end”.

4 Pillars Navy Energy Gin was additionally discovered to be worthy of a Grasp title, loved for evoking reminiscences of “inexperienced Skittles” on the nostril and its “good citrus flavour on the palate, with daring, punchy juniper – scrumptious”.

Kingdom’s Ginger Spiced Gin additionally obtained a Grasp medal, with hints of “lavender” and “warming juniper” on the palate.

Tanner mentioned: “This spherical was pretty much as good as I anticipated it to be. In gin there are such a lot of flavours working collectively in the identical product, the upper ABV simply pushes these flavours to be distinctive.”

De Feral agreed, and added: “Navy power is traditionally the bartenders’ selection, however while you do the maths, most dwelling customers can combine navy power gin at dwelling and can get much more out of that bottle.”

Eight Gold medals had been additionally awarded on this warmth. By no means By no means Distilling elevated its medal haul with a Gold award for its “large piney, flavoursome” Juniper Freak Gin.

Plymouth Gin Navy Energy additionally impressed the judges with its Gold-standard spirit, discovered to have a “contact of coriander, lashings of citrus and a protracted end”.

9 Silver medals rounded off the flight, with medallists together with Dunnet Bay Distillery’s Navy Energy Rock Rose and Ladoga Group’s Barrister Navy Energy Gin.

The Microdistillery spherical additionally introduced a flurry of Grasp medallists – three of which had been scooped up by Hernö Gin Distillery. The Swedish producer took the highest award for its Hernö Gin 47, Hernö Pink Btl Gin and Hernö Outdated Tom Gin.

“Very moreish” Hernö Gin 47 was held in excessive esteem for its “large juniper” opening nostril, resulting in a “very citrus” palate.

Good juniper notes

Hernö Pink Btl Gin scooped a Grasp for being “clear, crisp with good juniper notes” together with “just a little bitterness and citrus”.

Hernö Outdated Tom Gin offered some “honeyed pine” and “fruity berry notes with loads of juniper”, prompting the Grasp medal from the judges.

Jim and Tonic’s Mercato Mediterranean Gin received the fourth Grasp of the flight due to its “beautiful herbaceous nostril” and “savouriness with a touch of citrus peel” on the palate.

“With microdistilleries, typically distillers have a bit extra freedom to experiment and check out various things that is perhaps riskier, and I believe that generally the danger isn’t value it,” Smith famous. “However generally, threat pays off and producers give you one thing completely elegant, and the Masters of this are considering outdoors the field; they tried one thing completely different and it paid off.”

5 Golds – together with “advanced” Horsham Spirit from Cabin Stress Spirits, and “very clean” Technique and Insanity Irish Microdistilled Gin – and 4 Silvers accomplished the flight.

A pair of Masters had been additionally unearthed within the Outdated Tom sector. The primary was given to Hernö Outdated Tom Gin, because of its “daring juniper character” and “effectively balanced contact of sweetness”. Outdated Tom 6 by Liquorsmiths additionally received a Grasp accolade, with its “good mouthfeel” and a “contact of eucalyptus so as to add just a little freshness on the end”.

A Gold medal went to OTG Preliminary Gin, with “cucumber on the nostril, and a few citrus and herbaceous notes” resulting in “just a little woodiness, herbs and savoury components” on the palate.

5 Silver medals had been additionally awarded within the Outdated Tom flight, together with to Ki No Tou Kyoto Dry Gin and Gin Lane 1751 Outdated Tom.

A flight of Genever got here subsequent, producing a Gold medal for Hooghoudt Uncooked Genever, which had “good grain notes on the nostril with floral citrus, and good integration of alcohol”. A Silver medal was additionally given to Hooghoudt Candy Spiced Genever.

Hernö’s rising haul

Within the Natural flight, Hernö Gin Distillery added one other Grasp medal to its ever-growing haul. Hernö Navy Energy Gin was mentioned to be “large, daring and zesty”, and the judges thought the “larger ABV holds very well”. Tasting notes included “a touch of spice and floral, with a pleasant sweetness to enrich the citrus notes”.

Hernö additionally collected 4 Gold medals for Hernö Gin 47, Hernö Pink Btl Gin, Hernö Outdated Tom Gin and Hernö Gin. The Stillery’s Dutch Coastal Gin additionally obtained a Gold award.

A considerable Cask-Aged warmth generated two extra Grasp medallists: Sorgin Yellow Gin and Within the Welsh Wind Palo Cortado End. Sorgin Yellow Gin was described as having “beautiful, plump, aromatic notes, wooden and elderflower – actually uncommon and simply very good”.

Fellow Grasp winner Within the Welsh Wind Palo Cortado was equally celebrated, loved for its “wealthy spice, Christmas notes with juniper, citrus and spice – very Christmassy however a beautiful sipper”.

13 Gold-standard cask-aged gins had been additionally loved by the judges. Winners included: “completely balanced” Makar Mulberry Cask Aged Gin; “peaty, advanced” Ki No Bi Version Ok Kyoto Dry Gin aged in ex-Kilchoman Single Malt Casks; and “deep, woody” Nouaison Gin Reserve. 4 Silvers had been additionally awarded on this flight.

“These weren’t your typical aged gins,” famous Smith. “It’s in all probability been essentially the most thrilling yr of cask-aged gin that we’ve had and I discover it thrilling that there’s that a lot innovation happening, and why not? There are such a lot of completely different casks past typical oak finishes. Plus, for a distiller, how the cask interacts with the botanicals is such a wealthy sandpit to play in. It’s a playground for a distiller, and we’re seeing that with the stuff we’ve acquired right here. It goes to point out you are able to do very attention-grabbing issues at decrease ABVs, it doesn’t need to be cask power stuff.”

Blushed with success

Pink gin has soared in reputation lately, and the standard that got here to the fore within the competitors was spectacular. Apple and Hibiscus from 58 Distillery secured a Grasp medal on this spherical, delivering “crisp apple on the nostril with some delicate, jammy floral notes”. The gin had “good texture, good sweetness” and was discovered to be “very refreshing – a bit completely different”.

Seven pink gins lived as much as the Gold normal, together with Shortcross Rosie’s Backyard Gin, with “rosehip and juniper notes, some sweetness however some woodiness too”.

“Very effectively balanced” Barrister Pink Gin additionally secured a Gold medal, preferred for having a “candy pink profile with out being too overbearing”.

5 pink gins had been awarded Silver medals, together with Gibson’s Pink and Beefeater Pink Strawberry.

“This tasting means that there is no such thing as a definition of what pink gin is,” Smith famous. “I’ll say this – I do know some individuals may consider pink gin being very fruity and never tasting like gin in any respect. This flight proved there are some excellent spirits in there that may be pink in color, embrace some fruity flavours, however nonetheless style like gin and be balanced and never overly sugary.”

Flavoured Gin is one other subcategory that has boomed lately, with myriad flavours nonetheless launching week after week. The large flight produced a formidable 5 Grasp medals.

Atom Manufacturers’ Jaffa Cake Gin was one Grasp recipient. Tasting notes included “orange chocolate – like Terry’s Chocolate Orange – scrumptious”.

De Feral mentioned: “It is a nice instance of how a flavoured spirit can educate customers on how flavours might be distinctive, and how one can create flavours which might be actually enjoyable. This was actually distinctive, not simply one other raspberry or rhubarb flavour, it provided one thing very completely different.”

Unmistakably grapefruit

Cuckoo Supernova Gin additionally took a Grasp on this contingent, with its “vibrant, daring zingy nostril” that was “unmistakably grapefruit”. The gin was in a position to retain its juniper flavour, too. Forty Noticed Pinot Noir additionally collected the highest medal.

Downes mentioned “cranberry shines by way of on the palate constructing to a scrumptious mixture of candy gin and grapes”. Fellow Grasp Meredith’s Malvern Blush Gin was “fruity and contemporary”, with “crisp passionfruit notes”. Concluding the Grasp tally on this spherical was Wildcat Ardour Gin, with its “clear and daring passionfruit” on the nostril, giving technique to “orange” hints on the palate.

The Flavoured Gin spherical additionally awarded Gold medals to 21 deserving entries. These included “superbly delicate and juicy” Lonewolf Peach and Passionfruit with “tonnes of peach on the nostril”; “fruity and floral” Gin Ting – Berries, Berries, Berries; and Three Wrens Gin Apple Crumble Version, stuffed with “oats and brown sugar” on the nostril and “delicate, candy inexperienced apple” on the palate.

The flight concluded with a staggering 31 Silver medals, together with: Gordon’s Pink, Beefeater Blood Orange, Rosemont Madame Gin, Junimperium Cherry Version Gin, Malfy Gin Con Limone, Wembley Pink, Wildcat Bramble Gin, and Wildjac Damson and Raspberry Gin.

Tanner famous: “I really feel there’s scope for some extra ‘grownup’ flavours right here. A few of what we tasted was just a little overly candy, however some had been executed very well.”

Carruthers added how she was impressed with the range of flavours. “There was loads of selection within the flavoured flight, with producers placing the concentrate on high quality,” she added. “It was nice to see so many various merchandise which might be pairing some actually complementary flavours collectively, mixtures you wouldn’t even consider.”

Shining by way of

For Downes, Three Wrens Apple Crumble Version was one of many standout flavours. “It is a class that’s straightforward to get incorrect, but additionally straightforward to shine by way of in case you nail what you’re aiming for. Distillers have to know that finish consequence and get the flavour profile, just like the apple crumble. The wine-flavoured gins had been on the ball.”

Within the penultimate flight – Sloe Gin – 4 Gold medals had been dished out. English Berry had “lovely nutty notes, almond, some cherry and darkish chocolate”. Gold medallist Elephant Sloe Gin was “delightfully indulgent, with plenty of spice to go along with the sloe gin – textbook; a traditional sluggish gin with just a little twist”.

Gold winner Plymouth Sloe Gin provided “fino Sherry” flavours on the palate, complemented by a “barely sharp jamminess”.

And Hernö Sloe Gin was loved for its “fruitiness, cherries and boiled sweets” on the palate and “nice steadiness”.

“Sloe gin is a really established class within the UK and it’s good to see some innovation and a few new entrants to the market making high quality merchandise,” mentioned Smith. “On the similar time, there’s a warning that with some merchandise, the innovation can take the product to a spot the place it now not resembles sloe gin.”

A gin spine

Finishing the primary instalment of The Gin Masters 2021 was the Gin Liqueur flight, which offered the ultimate Grasp of the tasting. June Wild Peach was hailed for its “jammy fruitiness, however with a gin spine”, providing “peach on the nostril with some tea”.

Seven Golds and one Silver medal accomplished the flight, together with Golds for “fruity, floral, advanced and balanced” Hayman’s Peach and Rose Cup; “boiled sweets” Cygnet Cherry Drop Gin Liqueur; and “tangy passionfruit with balanced sweetness” Resort Chocolat Mango and Passionfruit Cacao Gin Liqueur.

Reflecting on the competitors, Downes famous: “There was persistently a very excessive normal throughout the competitors. It says so much about gin, which retains getting higher and higher. Flavoured gins have stepped again from the closely sugary class, and it’s nice to see that gin continues to be innovating and altering.”

Smith famous that worth for cash stays throughout the usual and premium value factors – and there are gins with large complexity to be discovered at extra reasonably priced costs.

“The opposite takeaway this yr is individuals have frolicked experimenting with stuff and taking issues in new instructions; generally if’s incredible and generally it wants refining, nevertheless it’s very thrilling to see individuals doing that,” he added.

“Sloe gin is an instance of that, but additionally cask-aged. Those we tasted had been nothing significantly typical – that was a wholesome choice of aged gin since you don’t at all times get these.

“There have been additionally some beautiful examples of pink and flavoured gins, which I believe serves as a reminder that even hardened gin followers shouldn’t write them off as a result of there are some lovely merchandise in there.”

*A Style Grasp will likely be introduced after the second tasting later this yr.

Click on by way of to the next web page for the total record of winners from The Gin Masters 2021 (half one). 

Claudio Martell – Bevica product director
“I’m delighted to be in partnership with The Spirits Enterprise [and the drinks business], with Bevica because the sponsor for The Gin Masters and The English and Welsh Wine Masters. With our in depth expertise of purchasers throughout the drinks sector, however in these two areas particularly, we all know that Bevica is a confirmed, dependable and efficient cloud SaaS answer powered by Microsoft. It’s perfect for organisations that wish to streamline and automate their processes, with an all-in-one answer that’s future-proofed and might flex to any enterprise progress necessities.”
Pippa Odell – MD, TVision Know-how
“At a time when companies are evolving because of the many challenges of this worldwide pandemic, it feels significantly related that Bevica sponsors initiatives inside the drinks sector. We’re delighted that Bevica is sponsoring the competitors this yr, as a result of we perceive that wine firms’ enterprise fashions and processes are evolving at unprecedented pace. And our Cloud-based Bevica platform can help
these companies to actually assist them evolve. We want the entire entrants good luck on this yr’s competitors.”