The finals scores for The Gin Cooperative Awards 2023 have been submitted, calculated and verified revealing The Gin Cooperative Awards 2023 winners. The competition was once again extremely competitive and close, with many of the entries this year scoring very highly. We were proud to see all gin producing regions of Scotland well represented, which has translated into our finalists and winners. In the end, we narrowed it down to six finalists in each of the main gin style award categories with three eventual winners taking home gold, silver and bronze awards. Well done to all the entries who made it through to the finalists stage and congratulations to the winners.
Our 2023 judging panel was made up of 72 judges with 24 industry judges, 24 consumer judges and 24 community judges and a number of new award categories. Our judging process involved carefully reviewing and scoring each entry by nine judges – three industry, three consumer and three community. Our judges assessed several key elements, including appearance, nose, palate, finish and mouthfeel, both neat and served as a gin and tonic. Judges were provided with Walter Gregor’s Tonic Water to ensure all gin and tonic samples were judged using the same tonic. Along with the liquids, our judging panel also reviewed and judged packaging for each entry. As tasting is strictly blind, a different set of judges reviewed packaging related to the respective tasting samples.
Once again, every judge was provided a detailed and in-depth judges guide with advice and tips for judging each element of the entries and general advice, ensuring each judge scored the entries based on the same guidance. A heartfelt thanks once again to our amazing judging panel for all their time, effort and hard work.
Thank you to our 2023 award sponsors for their time and support this year. It’s a testament to our awards programme that we have a range of key supply chain sponsors involved with our awards – great businesses that play a crucial role in supporting and championing the Scottish Gin category and the broader drinks and spirits industry.
Last but not least, we want to thank every Scottish Gin business and brand who took the time to enter The Gin Cooperative Awards 2023. Judges feedback will be provided to all entrants once the winners are announced. We greatly appreciate your time and investment in The Gin Cooperative Awards 2023.
Judges were provided with a highly detailed digital judges guide to aid with the judging and scoring process. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Entries covered a wide number of gin styles including Flavoured, Old Tom and London Dry. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Scottish Gin of The Year Award is awarded to the three Scottish Gins with the highest combined scores for taste neat, taste as a gin and tonic, and packaging, across all taste award categories.
Scottish Gin of the Year Award 2023 Winners are:
Scottish Gin of the Year Award 2023. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Scottish Gin of the Year Award 2023. Gold Award - Achroous (Electric Spirit Company). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Scottish Gin of the Year Award 2023. Silver Award - Downpour Scottish Dry Gin (North Uist Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Scottish Gin of the Year Award 2023. Bronze Award - Crosskirk Bay Gin (North Point Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Scottish Gin and Tonic Award 2023 – sponsored by Walter Gregor’s – premium Scottish tonic.
Scottish Gin and Tonic Award is awarded to the three Scottish Gins with the three highest scores for taste as a gin and tonic, across all taste award categories.
Scottish Gin and Tonic Award 2023 Winners are:
Scottish Gin and Tonic Award 2023 - sponsored by Walter Gregor’s; premium Scottish tonic. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Scottish Gin and Tonic Award 2023. Gold Award - Inverness Gin (Great Glen Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Scottish Gin and Tonic Award 2023. Silver Award - Achroous (Electric Spirit Company). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Scottish Gin and Tonic Award 2023. Bronze Award - Crosskirk Bay Gin (North Point Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Scottish Gin Packaging Award 2025 – sponsored by Rankin Brothers & Sons – premium corks, capsules and closures.
Scottish Gin Packaging Award is awarded to the three Scottish Gins with the highest combined scores for bottle and packaging design, and shelf appeal.
Scottish Gin Packaging Award 2023 Winners are:
Scottish Gin Packaging Award 2023 - sponsored by Rankin Brothers & Sons; corks, capsules and closures. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Scottish Gin Packaging Award 2023. Gold Award - Aatta Gin. (Orkney Gin Company). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Scottish Gin Packaging Award 2023. Silver Award - Arkh-Angell Storm Strength Orkney Gin (Orkney Distilling/Kirkjuvagr). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Scottish Gin Packaging Award 2023. Bronze Award - LoneWolf Original (BrewDog Distilling). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
New Scottish Gin Award 2023 – sponsored by Vetroelite – global glass packaging providers.
New Scottish Gin Award is awarded to the three Scottish Gins with the highest combined scores for taste neat, taste as a gin and tonic, and packaging, released in the last 12 months.
New Scottish Gin Award 2023 Winners are:
New Scottish Gin Award 2023 - sponsored by Vetroelite; global glass packaging providers.
New Scottish Gin Award 2023. Gold Award - Inverness Gin (Great Glen Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
New Scottish Gin Award 2023. Silver Award - King’s Hill Rhubarb and Raspberry (The Pentland Still). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
New Scottish Gin Award 2023. Bronze Award - Crossbill Green Dry Gin (Crossbill Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Outstanding Contribution to Scottish Gin Award 2023 – sponsored by The Gin Cooperative – The global resource for all things Scottish Gin.
Outstanding Contribution to Scottish Gin Award is given to a brand, business or individual who has had a positive and tangible impact on the Scottish Gin category. The winner of this award is selected by The Gin Cooperative.
Outstanding Contribution to Scottish Gin Award 2023 Winner is:
Martin Murray, Dunnet Bay Distillers
We’re delighted and thrilled to award the very first Outstanding Contribution to Scottish Gin Award to Martin Murray. Over the last five years, one name has come up in conversation a lot. And in a really positive way. We have lost count the number of times we’ve heard how Martin has helped others by providing distilling insight or guidance around HRMC regulations, email exchanges about where to find the best Negroni in a certain city or just a general chat about the Scottish Gin category.
As the co-founder of one of the early Highland based gin brands, Martin Murray along with his wife and co-founder Claire, acted as a great example of what a remote Scottish distillery could achieve. Often leading the way with new export deals and distribution opportunities for the Rock Rose Scottish Gin brand, Martin has been at the forefront of the true craft distilling revolution that’s taken shape in Scotland over the last decade.
Humble and hard working, whilst balancing family life and growing an international Scottish Gin brand is no mean feat at the best of times. But to always leave the door open for advice and helping others in the industry so everyone benefits, really does go above and beyond in business and in life. We have benefited from his help, guidance, generosity, kindness and support whenever we’ve needed to pick his brains.
Outstanding Contribution to Scottish Gin Award 2023. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Outstanding Contribution to Scottish Gin Award 2023. Martin Murray (Dunnet Bay Distillers). Pic: Courtesy of Dunnet Bay Distillers
London Dry Scottish Gin Award is given to the three Scottish Gins which scored the highest number of points for taste neat, taste as a gin and tonic and packaging, in the London Dry Scottish Gin category.
London Dry Scottish Gin Award 2023 Winners are:
London Dry Scottish Gin Award 2023. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
London Dry Scottish Gin Award 2023. Gold Award - Achroous (Electric Spirit Company). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
London Dry Scottish Gin Award 2023. Silver Award - Downpour Scottish Dry Gin (North Uist Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
London Dry Scottish Gin Award 2023. Bronze Award - Crosskirk Bay Gin (North Point Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Distilled Scottish Gin Award 2023 – sponsored by JFS (Joseph Flach & Sons) – global botanical merchants since 1882.
Distilled Scottish Gin Award is given to the three Scottish Gins which scored the highest number of points for taste neat, taste as a gin and tonic and packaging, in the Distilled Scottish Gin category.
Distilled Scottish Gin Award 2023 Winners are:
Distilled Scottish Gin Award 2023 - sponsored by JFS (Joseph Flach & Sons); global botanical merchants since 1882. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Distilled Scottish Gin Award 2023. Gold Award - Persie Zesty Citrus Gin (Persie Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Distilled Scottish Gin Award 2023. Silver Award - LBD Aberdeenshire Foraged Gin Unlimited Edition (Little Brown Dog Spirits). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Distilled Scottish Gin Award 2023. Bronze Award - Misty Isle 'Salty & Sweet' Gin (Isle of Skye Distillers). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Bathtub Scottish Gin Award is awarded to the three Bathtub Scottish Gins with the highest combined scores for taste neat, taste as a gin and tonic, and packaging.
Bathtub Scottish Gin Award 2023 Winners are:
Bathtub Scottish Gin Award 2023. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Bathtub Scottish Gin Award 2023. Gold Award - Mikkelmas (Orkney Gin Company). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Bathtub Scottish Gin Award 2023. Silver Award - McLean’s Something Blue (McLean’s Gin). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Bathtub Scottish Gin Award 2023. Bronze Award - McLean’s Winter Spiced (McLean’s Gin). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Old Tom Scottish Gin Award is awarded to the three Old Tom Scottish Gins with the highest combined scores for taste neat, taste as a gin and tonic, and packaging.
Old Tom Scottish Gin Award 2023 Winners are:
Old Tom Scottish Gin Award 2023. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Old Tom Scottish Gin Award 2023. Gold Award - Rhubarb Old Tom (Orkney Gin Company). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Old Tom Scottish Gin Award 2023. Silver Award - Downpour Pink Grapefruit Gin (North Point Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Old Tom Scottish Gin Award 2023. Bronze Award - House of Elrick Old Tom Gin (House of Elrick). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Navy Strength Scottish Gin Award is awarded to the three Navy Strength Scottish Gins with the highest combined scores for taste neat, taste as a gin and tonic, and packaging.
Navy Strength Scottish Gin Award 2023 Winners are:
Navy Strength Scottish Gin Award 2023. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Navy Strength Scottish Gin Award 2023. Gold Award - LBD Latitude (Little Brown Dog Spirits). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Navy Strength Scottish Gin Award 2023. Silver Award - Edinburgh Gin Cannonball (Edinburgh Gin). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Navy Strength Scottish Gin Award 2023. Bronze Award - House of Elrick Navy Strength Gin (House of Elrick). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Flavoured Scottish Gin Award is awarded to the three Flavoured Scottish Gins with the highest combined scores for taste neat, taste as a gin and tonic, and packaging.
Flavoured Scottish Gin Award 2023 Winners are:
Flavoured Scottish Gin Award 2023. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Flavoured Scottish Gin Award 2023. Gold Award - King’s Hill Rhubarb and Raspberry (The Pentland Still). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Flavoured Scottish Gin Award 2023. Silver Award - Coorie Gin (The Wee Farm Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Flavoured Scottish Gin Award 2023. Bronze Award - Great Glen Pink Gin (Great Glen Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Industry Judges Award 2023 – sponsored by Shine PR – the communications agency for food & drink, travel, tourism and hospitality.
Industry Judges Award is awarded to the three Scottish Gins with the highest combined scores for taste neat, taste as a gin and tonic, and packaging, scored by the Industry Judging panel.
Industry Judges Award 2023 Winners are:
Industry Judges Award 2023 - sponsored by Shine PR; the communications agency for food & drink, travel, tourism and hospitality. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Industry Judges Award 2023. Gold Award - Downpour Pink Grapefruit Gin (North Uist Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Industry Judges Award 2023. Silver Award - Arkh-Angell Storm Strength Orkney Gin (Orkney Distilling/Kirkjuvagr). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Industry Judges Award 2023. Bronze Award - Misty Isle 'Classically Aromatic' Gin (Isle of Skye Distillers). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Community Judges Award is awarded to the three Scottish Gins with the highest combined scores for taste neat, taste as a gin and tonic, and packaging, scored by the Community Judging panel.
Community Judges Award 2023 Winners are:
Community Judges Award 2023. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Community Judges Award 2023. Gold Award - Downpour Scottish Dry Gin (North Uist Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Community Judges Award 2023. Silver Award - Misty Isle 'Salty & Sweet' Gin (Isle of Skye Distillers). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Community Judges Award 2023. Bronze Award - LoneWolf Original (BrewDog Distilling). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Consumer Judges Award 2023 – sponsored by ScottishGin.com, our sister company, The specialist online Scottish Gin shop.
Consumer Judges Award is awarded to the three Scottish Gins with the highest combined scores for taste neat, taste as a gin and tonic, and packaging, scored by the Consumer Judging panel.
Consumer Judges Award 2023 Winners are:
Consumer Judges Award 2023 - sponsored by ScottishGin.com; the Scottish Gin merchants. Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Consumer Judges Award 2023. Gold Award - Achroous (Electric Spirit Company). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Consumer Judges Award 2023. Silver Award - Inverness Gin (Great Glen Distillery). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Consumer Judges Award 2023. Bronze Award - Mikkelmas (Orkney Gin Company). Pic: ©The Gin Cooperative
Judges Feedback
We will provide all entrants with the judges feedback about your Scottish Gin entries this year in due course.
Thank You
We’re extremely grateful to all the brands who took the time to enter the awards this year, our amazing judges and the sponsors who have supported this year’s awards, thank you.
Congratulations
Congratulations once again to all The Gin Cooperative Awards 2023 winners and finalists, see you next year.
The Gin Cooperative Awards Sponsorship Opportunties
Sponsorship package’s are available for The Gin Cooperative Awards, contact us today to learn more about how your business and brand can be involved. Email: martin@thegincooperative.com
You can learn more about the many great Scottish Gins by visiting the links below.
