Brand Innovator of the Year

Sponsored by WestRock

Citadelle Gin

One of the original progenitors of the craft gin movement, French brand Citadelle continues to push boundaries in the sector. It is the only gin brand to have patented an infusion process (progressive infusion); it has made innovative steps in the field of barrel ageing; and its Extrêmes range of yearly limited editions is an excellent showcase for what can be achieved in gin production with creativity and technical skill.

Highly Commended

Four Pillars

Craft Producer of the Year

Warner’s Distillery

Warner’s Distillery is keeping the ethos and operating model of craft distilling as its popularity grows. The company works hard to minimise its environmental impact and prizes the provenance of the ingredients it puts into its gins. During the past year it has continued to innovate, with the launch of its 0% Botanic Garden Spirits range and virtual tours to stay connected to fans new and old.

Highly Commended

Mallorca Distillery

Distiller of the Year

Sponsored by Hrastnik 1860

Amázzoni Gin

As the first, and now the biggest, gin distillery in Latin America, Amázzoni not only works to produce great spirits but uses its platform to educate Brazilian consumers about the world of gin. Founded in 2017, the distillery now produces 1,000 bottles of spirit a week – but it prides itself on taking the same care and attention in its ingredient sourcing and production as it has always done, and on staying true to its craft distilling principles.

Highly Commended

Golden Moon Distillery

Campaign Innovator of the Year

Giniversity
Gin & Culinary Cruise

In early 2020 Giniversity, Margaret River Distilling Company’s flagship gin range, joined forces with Cruise & Maritime Voyages for a first-of-its-kind gin and culinary cruise. Margaret River master distiller Cameron Syme and Albany cellar door manager Kylie Hooper provided lectures, masterclasses and serving demonstrations to the guests on board. The partnership had a positive response from gin lovers and foodies alike.

Highly Commended

Manly Spirits Co.
The Scavenger Hunt

Sustainable Distillery of the Year

Greensand Ridge Distillery

The rural Greensand Ridge Distillery was founded on a pledge to ”make a positive contribution to sustainability”. It takes the kind of holistic approach to environmental sustainability that all distillers should be embracing. From its water usage and energy supply to its packaging composition and raw materials sourcing, Greensand Ridge takes care to minimise its impact and support its community wherever possible.

Highly Commended

YVY Destilaria

Distillery Manager of the Year

Siobhan Feeley
Sacred Spirits

Siobhan has been at the forefront of Sacred Spirits’ development into a world-class gin producer, working to realise the exacting vision of the distillery’s founder Ian Hart with remarkable precision. Founded in 2008 in Highgate, London, Sacred Spirits uses vacuum distillation and organic botanicals to craft its range of products, which includes gin, vodka and vermouths.

Highly Commended

Jamie Koh
Brass Lion Distillery

Master Distiller of the Year

Anne Brock
Bombay Sapphire

Recently appointed as the Gin Guild’s Grand Rectifier, Dr Anne Brock is a shining light of technical excellence in the gin world. She leads a team of more than a dozen distillers at Bombay Sapphire, overseeing the production quality and innovative direction of the global brand. Beyond this, she is a passionate advocate for all things gin, supporting others in the industry and sharing her expertise informally and through educational initiatives.

Highly Commended

Cameron Mackenzie
Four Pillars

Supermarket of the Year

Lidl

As it rides a wave of increasing popularity in the UK, budget retailer Lidl is ensuring that its product ranges keep up with the expectations of its growing pool of shoppers. Its range of own-brand spirits, including gin, whisky and vodka, has stayed effectively up-to-date with spirits trends and collaborations with UK producers have helped to bolster its reputation among consumers.

Own Brand Supermarket of the Year

Lidl

Lidl’s range of own-brand gins spans the current direction of trends that we see growing in the UK, showing a supermarket with its finger on the pulse. As well as offering its gins at a competitive price point for shoppers in its stores and online, the quality of Lidl’s products also continues to impress.

Travel Retailer of the Year

World Duty Free
London Heathrow Terminal 3

Alongside big-name beauty brands, designer fragrances and luxury accessories, this World Duty Free outlet at London Heathrow boasts an impressive collection of gins and other spirits to tempt travellers. Its staff have been commended for their approachability and knowledge when it comes to the premium gin selection on offer.

Highly Commended

daa

Single Outlet Retailer of the Year

Fire & Ice

Established in 2011 in the market town of Narberth, Pembrokeshire, this craft bottle shop prides itself on supporting local breweries, distilleries and cider producers and carefully selects the best-tasting products for its shelves. Its knowledgeable and approachable owners and its enviable selection of products have made it a hit with customers.

Highly Commended

The Cheese, Gin & Ale Barn

Multiple Outlets Retailer of the Year

The Whisky Exchange

A world-renowned online retailer of fine spirits and wines, the Whisky Exchange now also has three retail outlets in London – at Covent Garden, Great Portland Street and London Bridge – where customers can browse for their next bottle of something special in person. The stores also offer blending workshops and tasting experiences.

Online Retailer of the Year

Ginshop.it

Italian website GinShop has a large selection of gins from Italy and around the world, as well as mixers and other spirits. It works directly with producers and importers to promote the best brands both at
home and abroad. In the past year, it has expanded its range and created new services to support producers and distributors hit by Covid-19 restrictions.

Highly Commended

Master of Malt

Buyer of the Year

Emile Ward
Spirits Kiosk

Emile co-founded the Gin Foundry and its successful web shop Gin Kiosk, which he helped to build into the UK’s largest single category spirits retailer. With an inclusive approach and a discerning eye for quality, Emile is in charge of curating Spirits Kiosk’s commendable product range and the direction it takes to best support the distilleries it works with.

Brand Ambassador of the Year

Keli Rivers
Sipsmith

As US brand ambassador for Sipsmith Gin, Keli Rivers has helped the pioneering craft gin brand to make great strides in the international market. She is also an enthusiastic advocate for the gin category as a whole, always keen to share her knowledge of gin and its history with those who want to listen and learn. Before becoming a brand ambassador, she worked as a bartender at venues around the world.

Highly Commended

Nick Baxter
Archie Rose Distilling Co.

Bar of the Year

Golden Moon Speakeasy

Located at the Golden Moon Distillery in Colorado, this cocktail bar offers a menu of more than 60 cocktails (including more than 20 gin cocktails), made with the distillery’s range of spirits. The venue has received plaudits in local and national competitions, and it has also been a vocal advocate for the safety of bartenders during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Highly Commended

The Leafy Elephant
Wokingham

Bar Group of the Year

The Hospo Group

Based in Queensland, Australia, the Hospo Group is a boutique hospitality group with a small, carefully curated collection of bars serving a wide range of local and international gins. Since opening its first venue, Three Wolves in Cairns, in October 2016, the group has earned a reputation for its exceptional collection of gins, whiskies, rums and wines, as well as its cocktails and food offerings.

Hotel Bar of the Year

Dukes London

Dukes London, nestled in the historic St. James’ Mayfair in London, offers a sophisticated luxury hotel experience to its guests – and its bar experience is no different. Renowned as one of the best places in the world to get a Martini, Dukes Bar has attracted international acclaim for its sensational serves and is staffed by a team of world-class bartenders.

Bartender of the Year

Néli Pereira
Espaço Zebra

A well-known figure across the Brazilian bar scene, Néli is a mixologist-bartender with an unmatched skill when it comes to showcasing local botanicals and spirits in cocktail form. She opened Espaço Zebra in São Paulo with her husband in 2012 and has since been using the venue – and her excellent communication skills – to champion Brazilian ingredients and drinks.

Highly Commended

Kino Soh
Brass Lion Distillery

Bar Manager of the Year

Georgia Billing
City Of London Distillery

As a bartender, Georgia exhibits a great respect for classic cocktails while also demonstrating skill in her experimentation with new recipes. When she is not mixing up spectacular drinks at the bar, she is actively engaged in teaching consumers about gin through masterclasses and ‘make your own gin’ sessions.

Highly Commended

Simon Audas
Archie Rose Distilling Co.

Advertising Agency of the Year

Sponsored by Rankin Brothers & Sons

Interweave Group

Founded five years ago as an events company, Interweave Group has developed expertise in brand building and design and prides itself on harbouring a community of Australia’s best design and delivery talent. It works across a range of sectors to deliver content and experiences connecting audiences to brand stories.

Design Agency of the Year

Sponsored by Rankin Brothers & Sons

Arctype

Based in Cornwall, Arctype is run by Aaron Chiffers – a one-man army waging war on bad design and bad design ethics. He always keeps an open mind in his designs, looking at innovative options and seeking to create something beautiful that doesn’t cost the earth – both figuratively and literally.

PR Agency of the Year

Sponsored by Rankin Brothers & Sons

Distinctly Aware

Distinctly Aware was founded by Leanne Ware, who has 20 years’ experience in the drinks industry and led a successful rebrand at Whitley Neill before launching her own agency. In a short space of time, she has added several promising brands to her portfolio, and as a seasoned drinks industry professional, she possesses incredible knowledge and an inspirational manner.

Visitor Attraction of the Year

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery

Home to Manchester Gin, the Spirit of Manchester Distillery became the number one ‘thing to do’ in Manchester on tourism review site TripAdvisor within 12 months of launching. While its visitor numbers have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, around 10,000 people have visited the distillery since its opening and it has attracted rave reviews for its experiences, including its Gin School, and its knowledgeable staff.

Highly Commended

Brass Lion Distillery
Junimperium Distillery

Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year

Ben Tassone
Margaret River Distilling Company

Ben has been involved at Margaret River since the distillery opened five years ago. He provides excellent customer service and is an exceptional team leader and mentor. During the Covid-19 lockdown, Ben helped put together care packages for casual staff not eligible for government assistance. He has also hosted community events at the venue such as charity fundraisers and local business meet-ups.

Highly Commended

Ewan Paterson
Clonakilty Distillery