Kinsale Gin takes 3 golds at Bartender Spirits Awards
Kinsale Gin has taken gold across three categories at the Bartender Spirits Awards in the US.
This small-batch, premium Irish Gin won the Gin Of The Year, Gin Producer Of The Year, and a Double Gold at the international awards.
Kinsale Gin has been distilled with local botanicals and derives its flavour from the Kinsale countryside.
Elegant amounts of Juniper, notes of Meadowsweet and Elderflower combine with aromas of Lemon verbena and Germanium while other interesting and unusual botanicals underscore Kinsale Gin’s complex personality.
The Bartender Spirits Awards aim to provide independent and honest reviews for brands looking to enter the US on-premise market. The judging panel consists of some of the most renowned names in the US bar industry, all of them with extensive expertise within the on-premise.
And the awards couldn’t have come at a better time for Kinsale Gin, explained Cork publican and entrepreneur Ernest Cantillon who said, “We’ve just launched both Kinsale Gin and Red Earl in the US. These awards are based in San Francisco so the US credibility and press are invaluable.”
The BSA results serve as a relevant and practical source of reference for bartenders, bar managers, bar owners, and other industry professionals when making purchasing decisions for their establishments, opening many doors internationally for this Cork brand.
The competition recognises that bartenders are the true influencers – their passions and tastes provide direction for the consumer, especially via their guidance with wine, beer or spirit recommendations.
“We really wanted a way to recognise those spirits that would be a great addition to any bar and that are completely on-trend in terms of packaging and price,” said Sid Patel, Founder and Chief Executive of Awards organiser Beverage Trade Network, “Whether bartenders are looking to plug a very specific gap in their existing spirits inventory or construct an entirely new cocktail menu from scratch, what better advice could they get than from fellow bartenders?
“Medals were awarded to those spirits that meet very specific judging criteria, with a goal of identifying spirits that should become additions to bar inventories. Each spirits brand was evaluated on Mixability, Balance and Versatility, Taste, Mouthfeel and Finish, Package and Price.”
The 2020 competition saw submissions from 34 countries.
Kinsale Gin was one of seven double gold winners which scored 96 and more points.
It’s owned by Cork’s Kinsale Spirit Company which was co-founded by Ernest Cantillon, Colin Ross and Tom O’Riordan – all current or ex-publicans who’ve spent a lifetime serving drink and building extensive experience in the hospitality and beverage sectors.
Other drinks in their portfolio include the recently launched Red Earl Whiskey, the first of the company’s ‘Battle of Kinsale’ series of whiskeys. The company is currently planning a new distillery for Kinsale due to open in 2021.
