West Coast distillery Reefton Distilling Co. continues to impress the spirits world, securing five new acknowledgements at the 2023 SIP Awards. They received the prestigious Consumers' Choice, Best of Class Platinum, 2 Platinum's, and a Gold award.
Its Founder and Chief Executive Patsy Bass told REX Today host Dominic George the SIP Awards are specifically satisfying due to the unique nature of judging.
"The SIP Awards is one of the international best in terms of its being judged by actual consumers," she said.
"Rather than your regular normal spirits awards judges this is, what do the people on the street think of this product."
Although she admitted there might be some nominations that don't do as well as they might have thought, Bass acknowledged that the consumers judging their product are the people who are buying from them and allowing their business to continue to thrive.
"It's the people on the street that have got us to that pinnacle, the number two New Zealand Gin here and people overseas are also voting and giving it their top award, we know we're doing something right."
Little Biddy Gin has been one of Reefton's most successful products, receiving awards in four consecutive years but Bass said the new kid on the block, their 'Flavour Gallery Gin Series', was also a great success.
Created by Distiller Beth Scott, a Food Science and Marketing graduate from the University of Otago, all three flavours were recognised with Platinum and Gold Awards.
"I was thinking Little Biddy is my absolute hero, that's what I always go to but then at Christmas, I got a text from our Chair who said, 'my goodness the citrus sunset flavour gallery, you've got to try it.
"So we got big slices of oranges and we were drinking it on Christmas day here last year."
Reefton Distilling Co. Flavour Gallery – HPH (Honey, Pear and Hops Gin) received Best of Class Platinum, Reefton Distilling Co. Flavour Gallery – Rose Ripple (with Hawkes Bay Rosé, splashed with boysenberry and vanilla) achieved Platinum and Reefton Distilling Co. Flavour Gallery – Citrus Sunset (Grapefruit, Peach & Blood Orange Gin) won Gold in the Flavored/ Infused Gin Tasting Category.
Listen to the full chat between Reefton Distillery Co. Founder & CEO Patsy Bass and Dominic George above.
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