Co Down Distiller’s Gin Receives Global Award Six Months After Launch

Hinch Distillery has been awarded World Gin Award Gold status for its Ninth Wave brand, only six months after launching its gin, at international awards event held in Glaziers Hall, London last week (15 January 2020).

It was awarded a Gold medal and certificate in the ‘Contemporary Gin Style’ category after judges from a panel made up of international journalists, specialist drinks retailers and industry experts completed a blind tasting session on a variety of gin profiles originating from all four corners of the world.

The contemporary category covers gins with flavour profiles where juniper is still discernible, but other flavours such as citrus, spice, and floral notes are more prominent than in a Classic Gin.

Contemporary Gin

Contemporary Gin is a catch-all term for gins described as 'New-Wave', 'New Western', 'New American Dry', and must be bottled at a minimum of 37.5% ABV, the distiller explained in a statement.

Ninth Wave, which is part of a growing production line at the £15 million distillery set to open to the public this summer.

It is the craft work of Belfast-born Head Distiller Aaron Flaherty and his team, who have a wealth of experience working for some of Ireland and the UK’s best-known spirit brands, the group said.

The award will further raise the profile of Ninth Wave which is already exporting globally.

“We believe our Ninth Wave gin is mystical and otherworldly and we’re very proud of the methods that go into making it but to receive an award when the product is still in its infancy and from those at the top of the spirit industry, is confirmation that we are producing a product worthy of holding its own on a global stage," Flaherty said.

Hinch Distillery, which produces the, now, Gold Award Ninth Wave Gin, is the brainchild of well-known Northern Ireland entrepreneur Dr Terry Cross.

Flaherty added: “Ninth Wave isn’t just a great-tasting gin but it tells a story about its origins and it plays on Celtic mythology, which is reflected in the design of the bottle, which we believe is a real stand out feature with our product so we are crossing everything that our luck doubles next month!”