Orkney’s gin producers are all celebrating success at the latest Great Taste Awards.
Stockan’s Oatcakes was also successful this year, with six different Orcadian products in total claiming a coveted Great Taste star or two.
The annual awards are judged by a panel of more than 500 industry experts, including chefs, buyers, food writers and retailers, and attract thousands of entries from across the UK. According to organisers, the Guild of Fine Foods, it’s the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme.
This year, the Orkney Distillery claimed two stars for both its Beyla and Yuletide gins. Beyla is a honey and raspberry old tom gin, made with Orcadian honey and Scottish raspberries. The distillery’s Yuletide Gin is a seasonal addition to the range and comes full of winter spices, fruit, and subtle floral notes.
Orkney Spirits Limited, known as the Orkney Gin Company, also scooped two stars for its Christmas Old Tom Gin, with its Aatta Gin taking home one star, repeating its success from the 2022 awards. The Burray-based producer has now claimed consecutive titles at the event since 2017.
The Deerness Distillery also won a star for its popular Scuttled Gin, which was originally launched to mark the centenary of the scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet in Scapa Flow in 1919. Its botanicals include juniper, tarragon, lemon peel, green pepper, lavender and mint, giving it a unique and refreshing taste.
Stockan’s Oatcakes claimed one star for a staple of its range, the classic Thick Orkney Oatcake. It repeats the success from last year’s awards, when the company won a star for its fabulous new Orkney Heritage Spelt Wheat, Herb & Pepper Oatcakes.
View the listings below to buy directly from our successful producers or find out where you can pick up their products.