Tanqueray and Ginologist Floral Gin triumph at Lifestyle Gin Awards

Left to right: Albert, Ginologist Floral Gin master distiller, Craft Link Distillery; Hayley Mee, senior liquor buyer – Spirits/AFB’s/Beer, Makro South Africa; Pearl Boshomane, editor: Sunday Times Lifestyle; Nick, master distiller, Craft Link Distillery

Sixty-one local gins and 13 international gins were shortlisted to four finalists in each category, after being evaluated on their aroma, taste, aftertaste, suitability with tonic, as well as bottle and logo design. The four finalists in each category were then evaluated by consumers at blind-tastings held in-store at select Makro outlets around the country.

Ginologist Floral Gin was awarded first place in the Local Gin category, with Orient placing second. In the International Gin category, Tanqueray came out on top, with Gin Mare taking the second spot.

The judging panel comprised of South African comedian Lihle Msimang, performer Thami Shobede, sommelier Higgo Jacobs, The Gin Box founder Jean Buckham and Aspasia Karras, magazine supplement publisher at Tiso Blackstar Group.

Finalists revealed for Sunday Times Lifestyle Gin Awards

18 Sep 2018

The shortlisted finalists in the Local Gin category were Ginologist Floral Gin (Craft Link Distillery), Monks Mary Jane (Monks Distillery), Orient (Pienaar & Son Distilling Co., and Westcliff Copper Distilled (Angel Heart Distillery). The shortlisted finalists in the International Gin category were Gin Mare (Global Premium Brands), Gordon’s London Dry Gin (Alexander Gordon & Co.), Hendricks Gin, and Tanqueray (The Cameronbridge Distillery).

The combined scores from the judges and consumer tastings determined Ginologist Floral Gin and Tanqueray to be the overall winners. This year's winners were announced at a trendy cocktail event, held at The Empire Rooftop in Parktown, Johannesburg on 19 October.