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.

Every Wednesday to Sunday from 4pm it is Gin O’Clock time at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa! Yet another special treat they have stirred and shaken up for their patrons where a professional Gin-ologist creates some magical infusions! Each week a selection of gins are selected from the wide range of local and international brands, with the exception of Monkey47, which is a favourite staple. There are hundreds of beautiful crafted gins, each with a signature taste infusion and interesting story and journey.

The making of gin cocktails is an art form with room for experimentation and creativity utilising the infused botanicals, primarily Juniper Berry and coaxing them out to intoxicate your senses.   The Fairlawns in-house creative Gin-Genius is passionate about his craft and specialises in Gin-based creations. He’ll ask you for your personal tastes and create a delicious cocktail just for you. You can choose your ingredients from a selection of fruits and herbs, and combine them with a choice of four gins and variety of tonics.

This ‘Gin Genie’ of the bottle has a knack for finding the right balance between sweet and bitter. Mint is a key ingredient to cut through the alcohol and brings together scent and taste in one sensation. Rosemary can also be used to delicately balance on the surface of the drink.   Gin is a versatile base for many creative cocktails and one can even try a shake with Elderflower tonic. The end result of each drink is as visually enticing as it is tasty on the tongue and fragrant on the nose.    At Gin O’Clock, all you have to do is sit back and relax on the peaceful terrace at Fairlawns and enjoy the sights and sounds of the luscious garden environment. It is a refreshing end to any day with every sense engaged.

PS – an insider secret, after 6pm – the gin bar moves to the Muse Champagne Room, where the sunset is the backdrop and the experimental elixirs continue!   A must for Gin Lovers!

Fairlawns continues to bring you unique spaces and enchanting experiences to suit your every need or preference. The venue keeps on delighting and surprising us with more!   To book call Fairlawns on 011-808 7300 or visit www.fairlawns.co.za.