The results of the inaugural South African Craft Gin Awards, presented by Checkers LiquorShop, were announced at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel last night, acknowledging and celebrating the finest craft gins that our country has to offer.

Twenty-six locally distilled craft gins received the highest accolade of Double Gold awards from an entry of 110 gins from over 50 distilleries all over South Africa.

The Double Gold award-winning gins are:

• A Mari Atlantic Ocean and A Mari Indian Ocean gins
• Copper Republic African Dry and Copper Republic Rooibos & Grapefruit gins
• Die Dröe Rooinek Dry Gin
• Flowstone Bushwillow Gin
• Geometric Classic Cape Dry Gin
• Ginologist Spice Gin
• Harmony Aloe Ferox Gin
• Indlovu Gin - Elephant Dung Gin
• Jin Gin Olive & Honey and Jin Gin Tomato & Sweet Piquante Pepper gins
• Knut Hansen Dry Gin - a South African version of the German original
• Lieben Sailor Lemon & Lime Gin • Magalies Lavender Gin
• Monks Medella Blueberry Infused and Monks Mary Jane Hemp Infused gins
• Nuy Legacy and Nuy Mastery gins
• Old N1 African Dry and Old N1 Fijnbos Fields gins
• Old Packhouse Moringa Gin
• Pienaar & Son Empire and Pienaar & Son Orient gins
• Smiths Elderflower Dry and Smiths Spiced Dry gins
• Wild Rose Fynbos Gin

The gins were blind tasted by an expert panel of judges with in-depth knowledge of the drinks industry:

• Roger Jorgensen - the father of South African gin
• Dr. Anna Trapido - wine and spirits judge and food anthropologist
• Thierry Lubala - mixologist at South Africa’s largest gin bar at Asara Estate
• Jean Buckham - owner of The Gin Box, a craft gin club showcasing different SA craft gins
• Hanneli van der Merwe - oenologist and co-owner of Barker & Quin Mixers
• Tammy Frazer - perfumer and owner of Frazer Parfum

The competition is the largest gin competition in the country and the only dedicated competition for craft gin distillers in South Africa.

Commenting on the awards, Roger Jorgensen said: “South African gin distillers are superb when they ace it as they develop their own style and techniques. Given the plethora of wonderful botanicals here it is no wonder that the Cape is the new Gin Capital of the world.”

On the future of the gin industry in South Africa he added: “The future is bright and SA can be a global player, it has only just begun. Gin has been around for a long time and due to its versatile nature will not disappear overnight.”

“Checkers LiquorShop is proud to partner with the inaugural SA Craft Gin Awards to highlight and celebrate South Africa’s diverse range of world-class gins,” said Jean Marais, Business Manager for Checkers LiquorShop.

The announcement of Ravine (62) as Plascon’s Neutral of the Year tells us that, even though it has evolved over more than ten years as one of the top decorative neutrals, grey is here to stay. Ravine (62) is a timeless blend of grey and beige which invites a minimalistic yet luxurious look to a space and, according to the Plascon Colour Connoisseurs, is the perfect hue for the classic home in the 21st century.  Part of the Plascon Colour Forecast’s 2019 Luxury colour story, Ravine (62) has a soothing taupe undertone, perfect for classically decorated homes.

On grey’s enduring popularity, Colour Expert, Claire Bond says, “Ravine continues to be our warm go-to natural as it provides a neutral canvas making it a safe option when detail needs to be added, be it a coloured painted feature wall, curtaining, flooring or upholstery.” For a luxurious classic look, Claire recommends pairing it with optimistic blush pinks such as Nutmeg Dust (O3-C2-2) or gentle salmons such as Orange Delight (O5-A1-4).Partnered with bright whites and blonde wood tones, versatile Ravine (62) also invites a clean, clear and calm Scandinavian aesthetic to a home. Claire comments, “In contrast to other cooler shades that have been popular in the past, this neutral shade of grey adds warmth to a space.  

The recently launched Plascon 2019 Colour Forecast identified cocooning, mindfulness and individualisation as some of the trend drivers compelling people to transform their homes into personal sanctuaries away from a busy, technologically-driven world. Ravine (62), moving away from the ‘more is more’ concept, is about creating spaces where life’s simple pleasures take centre stage. Says Claire, “The concept of luxury has taken a new direction with the new interpretation extending to simple joys like reading a book, taking a bath or enjoying a long lazy Sunday lunch with family and friends.” Ravine (62) can be used in any space depending on the mood you want to create. A soothing relaxing bathroom would do well with a coat of this grey as would a reading nook or dining area.

To get that luxurious minimalistic look, Plascon suggests using Ravine (62) as the core colour and teaming it up with accent colours such as dramatic Dark Antelope (P7-E1-1) or Bovine (47) for a monochromatic look.Ravine (62) also works well with Golf Greens (G4-A1-1) from the colour forecast’s Urban story while rich feature colours such as Winter Storm (B3-B1-2) or Atlantic Ocean (B2-C1-1) on a feature wall or painted furniture brings the palette into the millennial age. Golden Lake (Y5-C1-3) from the forecast’s Luxury palette also combines beautifully with Ravine (62). Claire recommends introducing woods and shiny copper fittings for a modern touch to a traditional décor scheme or textural elements like a rich floor rug that inspires luxury.

The beauty of Ravine (62) is that it’s the ultimate grey that can be used for building a signature palette. Paired with colours such as calming Berry Good (P1-A2-3) and beautiful pastels, it also offers a French Provence edge which Claire sees in the classical home. “Because Ravine (62) is a blend of grey and beige, it effortlessly brings opulence into a home without having to fill the space with too much stuff. With this wonderfully adaptable grey you won’t go wrong when transforming your home into a refuge where simple luxuries are the order of the day,” Claire concludes.