Membership numbers of the Gin Guild has reached an all-time high of more than 450 members, with a record 43 new members taking the oath at this month’s annual gin industry dinner at London’s Guildhall.
New members have come from all across the globe, including the US and various European countries including Estonia, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Italy, France and Ireland.
Three new members from Australia and New Zealand based distilleries Four Pillars Gin and Elemental are awaiting joining the guild but were unable to be in attendance at the event to take their oath.
Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Spring installation and annual dinner since the guild’s foundation, Grand Rectifier Lesley Gracie, from Hendrick’s, commented: “The Gin Guild membership is truly global and has grown to reflect the diverse, vibrant nature of our industry and gin-loving consumers.”
Guild director general Pal Gleed: “When the Guild was created, never in their wildest dreams did the founding members expect membership to reach 450.
“As the gin revolution has touched countries across all five continents and the major distilling and exporting companies have been joined by thousands of smaller, innovative craft distillers, the importance and reach of the Guild has continued to grow.
“We have become a truly international organization, committed to sharing good practice and tackling challenges together, and we have developed our role from a promoter of the category to a protector.”
Award-winning spirits writers and comedians Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham, otherwise known as the Thinking Drinkers, were in attendance as guest speakers, talking through the history of gin and hosting a variation of a gin quiz. The pair said on the event: “It was a great honour and a lot of fun to be the Gin Guild’s guest speakers – especially on its tenth anniversary after a decade during which gin sales have soared so spectacularly.
“It was a brilliant evening and wonderful to feel part of a global gin scene in fine fettle.”
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