Victory is sweet for makers of perfect Perthshire preserves

A local company has been crowned world champion marmalade makers.

Perthshire Preserves scooped a gold and two silver awards in the 11th World’s Original Marmalade Awards.

The top prize was given for its orange marmalade with Deanston 12-year-old malt whisky, which scored high marks for appearance, colour, consistency, aroma and flavour.

The firm’s owners, Iain Mackenzie and Kate Thornhill, said the accolade was “a golden award for us in more ways than one”.

Record entries were received for the 11th anniversary of the prestigious award, with over 2,600 jars of marmalade being entered from as far afield as Australia, India, Denmark, Japan, USA and New Zealand.

Organiser Jane Hasell-McCosh said: “The standard of the competition this year has been outstanding and congratulations to Perthshire Preserves on their award and I am delighted that the awards continues to grow with more and more entries each year.

“When I started this competition 11 years ago my aim was to preserve the art of marmalade making and raise the quality of marmalade worldwide and I think in the last 11 years, with the help of a growing army of small artisan producers, we have saved and celebrated one of our great British traditions.

“I truly believe we have a renaissance in marmalade making and would like to congratulate and thank each and every marmalade maker for making this possible.”

The event boasts the backing of some of the most famous names in marmalade – Paddington, Mackays, and Fortnum & Mason.