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Food NI Members Win International Awards

Four Food NI companies are among six Northern Ireland distilleries who have won a record 16 major awards in the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) held recently in England. The awards from an influential panel of judges include three golds and five silvers for mostly craft distilleries in Northern Ireland.

The Food NI winners were Boatyard Distillery in Enniskillen; Copeland Distillery in Donaghadee, Mourne Dew in Warrenpoint and Shortcross Gin in Crossgar.

The golds were won by Copeland for its recently launched 1778 Cash Finished Navy Strength Gin; Mourne Dew in Warrenpoint for its Rostrevor Ruby Gin; and Niche Drinks in Derry for its Tesco Finest Salted Caramel Cream Irish Liqueur.

All the awards were for smaller producers of Irish gin and Irish whiskey as well as cream liqueurs. They demonstrate the growing strength of the Northern Ireland spirits industry and its growing achievements in the international marketplace. The companies are increasingly winning business in Europe, Asia, Australia and the US.

The IWSC is the world’s largest and most influential international spirit awards company. It prides itself on providing expert, impartial evaluation, benchmarking, increasing brand awareness and boosting sales. The organisation’s supporters include eminent professionals and offers companies access to key buyers and influencers.

IWSC celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1969 by wine chemist Anton Masel to reward excellence in drinks worldwide, ensuring recognition for the very best wines and spirits.

The IWSC sets the international benchmark for quality, standing out in the crowded world of drinks awards with hundreds of global experts – including buyers, producers, distillers, sommeliers, distributors and influencers – judging wines and spirits throughout the year.

IWSC also promotes companies at international trade and consumer shows, trade marketing and through social media.

The Northern Ireland winners were:

Boatyard Distillery, Enniskillen

Winter Solstice Gin – Bronze

Boatyard Double Gin – Silver

Copeland Distillery, Donaghadee

1778 Cash Finished Navy Strength Gin – Gold

Irish Gin – Bronze

Shortcross Gin, Crossgar

Shortcross Classic Gin – Silver

Rosie’s Garden Gin – Bronze

Mourne Dew Distillery, Warrenpoint

Rostrevor Ruby Irish Gin  – Gold

Kilbroney Premium Irish Gin  Bronze

Hinch Distillery, Ballynahinch

5-Year Old Double Wood Irish Single Malt Whiskey – Bronze

Peated Irish Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Silver

Ninth Wave Irish Gin – Silver

Niche Drinks, Derry

Iriah Cream Liqueur – Bronze

Tesco Finest Salted Caramel Cream Liqueur –Gold

Tesco Irish Cream Liqueur – Silver

Luxco Tesco The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey 2 Year old Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Bronze