Jute, jam, journalism and gin: Dundee’s tipple scoops award

Verdant Gin crowned best of the year at inaugural ceremony

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We had high hopes for the London Dry Gin category but to get the best gin of the yearwas completely unexpected. ANDREW MACKENZIE OF VERDANT SPIRITS

• London Dry Gin of the Year sponsored by Flavourly: Gold – Verdant Dry Gin

• Speciality Gin of the Year: Bronze – Eden Mill Hop Gin

• Gin Liqueur of the Year: Bronze – Gin Bothy Amaretto

• Growth Business of the Year sponsored by Blackadders: winner – Eden Mill

• Scottish Distillery of the Year sponsored by The Scottish Gin Society: winner – Arbikie Distilling

• Gin of the Year sponsored by Geraldo’s: winner – Verdant Dry Gin

A Dundee-made gin has been named best in Scotland at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Verdant Gin was named Gin of the Year at the inaugural Scottish Gin Awards, held in the Doubletree by Hilton in Glasgow city centre.

The gin, made by Verdant Spirits, also won Gold Medal in the London Dry Gin category.

In a successful night for Tayside and Fife businesses, Abroath’s Arbikie Distilling was named Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year at the event while Eden Mill in Guardbridge was named Growth Business of the Year.

Andrew Mackenzie, founder and managing director of Verdant Spirits, said: “We are absolutely chuffed.

“We had high hopes for the London Dry Gin category but to get the best gin of the year was completely unexpected.” Mr Mackenzie said he has ambitious plans for the distillery.

He said: “We are going to keep building the brand. We have an oak gin coming out in a couple of months and then we are going to be producing rum and vermouth.”

Mr Mackenzie added plans to turn the former factory engine house at Edward Street Mill, in Forest Park Place, Blackness, into a visitor centre and shop are still progressing.

For full coverage of the Scottish Gin Awards, visit theginkin.com

From left: Verdant Spirits’ Des Clark, Toni Dawson and Andrew Mackenzie with partner Judy Fowlie, and Catriona Shearer of BBC Scotland.