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A Mid Wales micro distillery has become the first in the UK to win the coveted Best British Gin award twice.

The Dyfi Distillery in Corris, near Machynlleth, which collected the trophy from the Great British Food Awards in 2017 for its Pollination Gin, has retained the award this year for its Dyfi Original Gin.

MasterChef’s John Torode, the lead category judge, said: "A wonderful gin straight up or in a martini or with a mixer. Smooth, beautifully flavoured and not overpowering in any way. I am a convert."

Natasha Lovell-Smith, editor of Great British Food, added: "The standard of entries has been truly exceptional this year. We’re all about boosting small local producers, who may be well known in their regions but have yet to get the national recognition we think they deserve – and I’ve been delighted to see entries from every corner of the UK.

"Dyfi Distillery represent all that is exciting about British food and drink at the moment, and the fact that the team has won our Best British Gin category two years in a row speaks volumes. Well done to them!"

The news comes just weeks after The Dyfi Distillery received two trophies at the Wales Start Up Awards for Best Food and Drink and Best Rural Start Up.

Pollination Gin is also a national finalist at the 2018 Delicious Produce Awards, having progressed from regional judging in Wales in September.

Further recognition for the distillery’s Pollination Gin has come from Ian Buxton's fully revised edition of 101 Gins to Try Before you Die, which has recently been released.

"It has turned out to be another amazing year," said Danny Cameron, who opened the distillery with his brother, Pete in early 2016, after over two years of research.

"We’ve been incredibly honoured with the recognition we’ve received, despite being such a small producer."

The Dyfi Distillery operates from within the Dyfi Unesco World Biosphere Reserve and is, unusually for a distillery of its size, frequently open to passing visitors. It is located within the Corris Craft Centre, a hub for thriving independent craft producers.