Dunnet Bay Distillery wins three gold stars in Great Taste Awards

A Scottish business that began producing gin less than a year ago has become the most awarded Scottish drinks firm in a UK-wide awards scheme.

Dunnet Bay Distillery in Caithness, which produces Rock Rose Gin, was the only Scottish drinks firm to receive three gold stars at the recent Great Taste Awards.

Martin Murray, who runs the business with his wife Claire, said the pair were stunned to win only 11 months after launching the company.

“We are absolutely delighted at winning,” he told SLTN.

“We would never have imagined that this would happen because we have not even been open for a year. It’s something we are very proud of and very shocked about because there were 10,000 entries.”

A host of other Scottish drinks producers picked up accolades at the awards, including Spencerfield Spirit Co, which secured two gold stars for Edinburgh Gin’s Rhubarb and Ginger Liqueur; Windswept Brewing Company, which won two stars each for its Typhoon and Tornado beers and one star apiece for its APA, Blonde, Wolf and Wolf of Glen Moray beers.

The food and drink awards, which are judged via a blind tasting, also rewarded Cairngorm Brewery’s Highland Hammer, Lerwick Brewery’s Tushkar Oatmeal Stout and St Andrews Brewing Co’s Crail Ale, Fife Gold, 80 Bob and Neuk Ale with one star each.

Spencerfield Spirit Co’s Edinburgh Valentine’s Gin and Shetland Reel Gin by Shetland Distilling Company completed the one-star line-up for Scottish drinks firms.

Debbie Strang, director of Shetland Distilling Company, said: “Winning a Great Taste award is particularly important for growth in the UK high-end food market, and we are proud to be one of the select group of winners this year.”