Great British Food Awards Gold for Yiayia Gin. Buy some for Christmas!

Irini Tzortzoglou

A Cumbrian small batch artisan spirits distiller has been awarded a prestigious Gold accolade at the Great British Food Awards 2024.

Ulverston-based Shed One Distillery's Yiayia Gin, created in partnership with Greek chef and 2019 Masterchef winner, Irini Tzortzoglou, came out on top in the Gin category of the annual awards, which celebrate the very best artisanal produce in the UK's food and drink industry.

The Gin category was judged by top industry expert and Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur, Adam Handling, who said Yiayia was "an excellent gin with elegance and complexity, foraged and sourced all in the UK with an innovative concept of Mediterranean flavours. A super artisanal and female-led project."

Yiayia Gin was judged by Adam to be a prime example of Great British food and drink – demonstrating not only delicious flavour, but also providing an optimum drinking experience and one-of-a-kind enjoyment.

The awards, launched in 2014, give a promotional platform to passionate artisanal brands and makers with a judging panel made up of an array of food industry icons, critics, and Michelin-starred chefs. 

Each year the Great British Food Awards champion the standout producers from all over the UK with winners confident their winning items truly are among the very best the country has to offer.

Shed One Distillery owner and co-founder, Zoe Arnold-Bennett, said: “We're beyond thrilled for Yiayia Gin to be recognised as the best of the best by the Great British Food Awards and by a chef and restaurateur of Adam Handling's stature. 

"We're blown away by his comments and his appreciation of the concept, genuine love, and enthusiasm that went into creating this special gin, which evokes the flavours and aromas of Irini's homeland of Crete.

“We drew inspiration from the island's rich gastronomic culture then set out to find locally grown and locally foraged savoury and citrus flavoured botanicals to perfectly compliment this corner of the Mediterranean. After lots of mixing and blending, and even more testing and tasting, we created Yiayia Gin or as we now like to refer to it, Crete in a glass!”

Yiayia, which translates as 'grandmother', was inspired, created, distilled, and bottled by women, and features vine, fig, olive, and lemon leaves, mushroom, seaweed, rose pelargonium, and oregano alongside classic juniper.

Irini Tzortzoglou added: “What started as a chance conversation with Zoe when I was on a gin-making experience at Shed One, ended with me spending months working with the women of the distillery to produce a gin we all loved.

“Named in tribute to my grandmothers, I am thrilled with the thought that the spirits of Yiayia Irini and Yiayia Stavroula are rejoicing in pride and joy, witnessing this wonderful Great British Food Awards accolade from beyond! You can't go wrong if you create with love and pure intentions, and I'm delighted and humbled that Yiayia Gin continues to be proof of that and has come so far.”

Having been awarded the highest Gold accolade, Shed One's Yiayia Gin will be promoted across Great British Food's print, online, and social channels in celebration of its achievement. For more information, visit www.greatbritishfoodawards.com/awards.

To learn more about Shed One, visit https://shed1distillery.com.

Sourcing Artisan Gins for Special Christmas Gifting

Christmas is a time for giving, and finding the perfect gift for friends, family, or colleagues can be a challenge. 

If you're looking for something unique, elegant, and quintessentially British, artisan gins are the ideal choice for special Christmas gifting. 

With the rise of craft distilleries across the UK, there's a wonderful selection of gins that showcase local botanicals, innovative flavours, and handcrafted quality. Here's how to source the perfect artisan gin for your festive celebrations.

1. Look Local: Support Independent Distilleries

The UK has seen a boom in independent gin distilleries, each offering distinctive products that reflect their regional heritage. From the Scottish Highlands to the coastlines of Cornwall, each bottle tells a story. Many distilleries offer small-batch gins with unique flavour profiles, such as Scottish heather, Welsh seaweed, or Kentish apple, perfect for a truly local gift.

Start your search by exploring local distilleries in your area. Many offer gift packs, personalised labels, and special Christmas editions that make for thoughtful presents. Supporting local businesses also adds a heartwarming, community-driven touch to your festive gift-giving.

2. Explore Unique Flavour Combinations

Artisan gins are renowned for their creativity when it comes to flavour. From the classic juniper-forward gins to more adventurous botanical blends, there’s something for every palate. Some festive flavours to consider include:

Spiced Gins: Infused with warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, these gins capture the essence of Christmas in a bottle.

Citrus Blends: Crisp and zesty, perfect for those who enjoy a refreshing G&T with a burst of lemon, orange, or grapefruit.

Herbal and Floral Gins: Featuring botanicals like lavender, rosemary, or elderflower, these gins are perfect for a delicate, fragrant drink.

Berry and Fruit-Infused Gins: Add a hint of sweetness with gins infused with British berries, rhubarb, or even sloe for that traditional Christmas feel.

For the true gin connoisseur, you can also find gins aged in barrels, which give a rich, oaky character akin to whisky.

3. Consider Limited-Edition and Seasonal Gins

Christmas is the perfect time to indulge in something special. Many distilleries release limited-edition gins specifically for the festive season. These bottles often come in beautiful packaging, adorned with Christmas-themed designs, and make for impressive gifts. Keep an eye out for distilleries offering seasonal blends that bring in festive spices or seasonal fruits for a Christmas twist.

You could also gift a gin subscription box, allowing the recipient to enjoy a different artisan gin each month. Many companies offer Christmas editions or allow you to personalise the first box, making it an exciting, long-lasting gift.

4. Pair Gin with Special Accessories

To elevate your gin gift, consider pairing it with some thoughtful accessories. A set of beautiful gin glasses, a stylish cocktail shaker, or a garnish kit with dried botanicals can turn a simple bottle of gin into a complete gin-lover’s package. Alternatively, explore tonic pairings. Premium tonic waters and mixers, such as those with elderflower or Mediterranean herbs, complement artisan gins beautifully.

Some distilleries even offer ready-made gin hampers with all the essentials – gin, tonic, and a few nibbles – perfect for festive entertaining.

5. Order Early and Check for Christmas Offers

While artisan gins are more exclusive, many distilleries offer seasonal discounts, bundles, or free delivery during the Christmas period. To ensure your gift arrives on time and to avoid last-minute stress, make sure to order early. Many distilleries also provide the option of personalised labelling, which adds an extra touch of luxury and thoughtfulness.

6. Gifting Experiences: Gin Tours and Tastings

If you're looking for something beyond the bottle, why not gift a gin-tasting experience or a distillery tour? Many artisan gin producers offer guided tastings, where the recipient can learn about the production process, sample a range of gins, and even try their hand at creating their own gin blend. This is an ideal gift for someone who loves gin and enjoys learning about the craft behind their favourite tipple.

7. Sustainable and Ethical Gins

As sustainability becomes an increasing priority, many gin distilleries are committed to ethical production. You can find gins made with organic botanicals, produced with renewable energy, or packaged in eco-friendly materials. Some brands also support environmental or social causes, meaning your gift can contribute to a greater good. Look for distilleries that champion sustainability and choose a bottle that reflects your recipient's values.

Sourcing artisan gins for Christmas gifting is a delightful way to offer a unique, personal, and premium gift that will be appreciated by any gin enthusiast. 

With the variety of flavours, seasonal editions, and creative packaging available, you can find something for everyone on your list. By supporting local distilleries and exploring innovative gin pairings, your Christmas gifts are sure to stand out this festive season.

Whether you're after a classic bottle of juniper-rich gin, a limited-edition spiced blend, or a full gin experience, your gift will be one to savour long after the Christmas tree comes down. Cheers to that!

Gintastic Christmas Gifting with Garden Gin

Calling all gin lovers! The luxury Essex Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate’s bespoke Garden Gin (£42) in partnership with local and sustainable distillery, Essex Spirits Co, is making the perfect gin Christmas stocking filler for this year.

Made only employing fresh, flavourful ingredients from the hotel’s own lush Kitchen Garden, set within 110 acres of stunning greenery and woodlands, the Down Hall Garden Gin is infused with delightful citrus notes, delicately blended with a range of different botanicals, including bay leaves, wild mint, lemon verbena, rosemary and nasturtium leaves. 

This intensely smooth, modern gin makes an impressive gift to give to loved ones this festive season at £45 a bottle.

Available now for national delivery 

Purchase here: https://essexspiritsco.com/products/down-hall-garden-gin?srsltid=AfmBOopzicbGXjeGcXPi9JrMW-8dURSYlTHENJ7Wjg0O53xfW1LP549X

 

A Very Social Spirit! Celebrate Togetherness at Xmas With Masons of Yorkshire's Personalised Products, Award-Winning Gins and Vodkas, All Locally Produced in Yorkshire

Following on from our previous blogpost featuring amazing personalised Christmas gifts, That's Christmas brings you news of Masons of Yorkshire.

Ten years ago, gin lovers Karl and Cathy Mason set up a Facebook page about their favourite spirit. They were posting reviews of their delicious finds, followers followed, and soon 10k people were on the page, joining in the chat and sharing their gincredible finds too.

It took a lot of time to manage thousands of comments and reviews - and then the couple had the lightbulb moment: what if we did this all the time? And Masons of Yorkshire was born. The distillery was the first to open in Yorkshire, right at the start of the gin boom that swept across the UK and beyond.

This year the company celebrates a decade of distilling. 24 people are now employed at the stunning state-of-the-art distillery in beautiful Bedale, North Yorkshire, which is open for tours and events all year round. Masons of Yorkshire has won countless awards the world over, (over 180!) and exports products internationally. 

With a gin portfolio consisting of the 10th Anniversary Gin, Original, Tea Edition, Orange & Lime Leaf, Pear & Pink Peppercorn, Pink Grapefruit & Cucumber, Fruit of the Tropics and English Lavender, the Masons have lent their expert hand to crafting Luxury British Vodka, and sales have doubled in the last year as at-home cocktail enthusiasts and bars discover the smoothness of the Original, Citrus, Espresso and Chocolate expressions. 

Now a proudly carbon-neutral business, Masons of Yorkshire will dedicate the next 10 years to creating business and jobs for local people as sustainably as possible, building on a legacy of creating award-winning 'no gimmicks' gin and vodka, and being at the forefront of British produced distilled spirits.

Stand out products for stand out gifts, let your family and friends know how much you treasure them by sending the original and best.

Perfectly Personalised Presents

They can personalise their award-winning range of Gins and Vodkas with up to 20 characters on the front label. From £37.95 for 70cl.

The serious Gin for the serious Gin Lover - 52% abv

To mark the 10 year anniversary, Masons of Yorkshire has released a special edition gin, with the star of the show being juniper, to celebrate the plant that started it all. The gin has been crafted to be juniper rich, to share with the gin aficionados and gin lovers out there that have supported the brand.

In addition to the juniper, the gin also features other key botanicals such as coriander, fresh lime and bay leaf. These botanicals add complexity to the gin, making it a well-rounded and delicious spirit.

The gin features two different varieties of juniper, distilled three ways: pot still, vapor basket, and vacuum distillation. It's bottled at 52% ABV, 10% higher in ABV than the Masons of Yorkshire Original Edition, (1% for every year!) a punchy flavour fitting for a 10th anniversary celebration and the perfect strength to deliver a juniper hit. The gin will be presented in a beautiful presentation box, made from fine linen with foiled copper detailing. The ultimate in luxury gin.

Available from www.masonsofyorkshire.com. £45 for 70cl, 52% ABV.

Stocking Fillers - Luxurious Gin and Vodka for under £25

Why not treat Santa to something a little special this year? Swap the cookies for a miniature bottle of Masons to enjoy with a tonic under the tree?

These perfectly formed presents also make absolutely wonderful stocking fillers, or why not save them for Christmas Dinner? The smooth flavours will make amazing aperitifs for your guests on arrival.

The Taste Experience Gift Set, £22.50

Each pack includes five miniature 5cl bottles of Masons gin including The Original, Tea Edition, Pink Grapefruit & Cucumber, Pear & Pink Peppercorn and Orange & Lime Leaf. Perfect as a gift for all premium gin lovers, or why not treat yourself?

Vodka Miniatures Gift Set, £16

The Masons Vodka Gift Set bundle includes all three of their original Vodkas: Classic Vodka, Espresso Vodka & Citrus Vodka, now in a 5cl miniatures tasting set. It's ideal to explore the flavour, clarity and smoothness their Vodkas have won awards for. Perfect as a gift set to treat a vodka lover.

Classic Vodka: Designed with clarity and freshness in mind. Savour the crisp, gloriously smooth characteristics of Masons Classic Vodka over ice, in long drinks or as a base for your favourite cocktails.

Espresso Vodka: Masons Espresso Vodka is slowly distilled for smoothness. Delicately nuanced with vapor-infused coffee beans from El Salvador results in a taste experience of rich, silky coffee.

Citrus Vodka: Masons Citrus Vodka is distilled for smoothness and quality. Citrus is delicately vapor-infused through the process to create a vodka with crisp and punchy citrus notes.

As we say, ideal, personalised Christmas presents, but this time for the gin and vodka lovers in your life!

Christmas Cocktails - Add a Touch of Magic and Elegance to Your Festive Celebrations

With the expert assistance of Devon's very own multiple award-winning Salcombe Gin, you'll be able to add more than a touch of class and magic to your Christmas and New Year festive celebrations this year with two stunning cocktails curated by the expert distillers at Salcombe Distilling Co. 

Whether you'll all be gathered 'round the festive fireplace with loved ones, or hosting a merry Christmas soirée for your friends and neighbours, Salcombe Gin's Christmas cocktails are the genuinely ultimate indulgence to make your Yuletide festivities sparkle and glitter.

'The Wanderer' features the multi-award winning classic citrus forward Salcombe Gin 'Start Point' and 'Southern Sky' features the equally excellent and highly decorated Salcombe Gin 'Rosé Sainte Marie', a dry rose gin with no sugar added.

'The Wanderer'

This elegant and wintery take on a classic Martinez is the perfect Christmas Eve tipple. 'The Wanderer' combines the complex flavours of Salcombe Gin 'Start Point' with seasonal notes of pine syrup and festive spice from the vermouth.

50ml Salcombe Gin 'Start Point'

15ml Knightor Rosso Vermouth

10ml William Fox Pine Syrup

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Bourbon Cocktail Cherry to garnish

Chill a Nick and Nora glass with ice and place to one side

Place the 'Start Point', Vermouth, pine syrup and Angostura bitters into a cocktail shaker, fill with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds

Remove the ice from the Nick and Nora glass, and use a hawthorn strainer to strain the mixture into the glass

Garnish with a cocktail cherry, leaving the stem on

'Southern Sky'

A celebration of sophistication. 'Southern Sky' is a delicate balance of Salcombe Gin Rosé Sainte Marie's floral and red berry sweetness, with the cherry citrus of Knightor Rosé Vermouth and sharp raspberry of Chambord, infused with an earthy thyme backbone. Its glorious peach colour is reminiscent of a low winter sunset over the Mediterranean Sea.

25ml Salcombe Gin 'Rosé Sainte Marie'

15ml Knightor Rosé Vermouth

15ml Thyme infused Chambord*

Champagne to top up

Chill a Champagne saucer with ice and place to one side

Place the 'Rosé  Sainte Marie', vermouth and thyme infused Chambord into a mixing jug, fill with ice and stir with a bar spoon for 20 seconds

Remove the ice from the champagne saucer and use a julep strainer to strain the mic into the glass

Top with your favourite Champagne

*To make the thyme infused Chambord, add 3 sprigs of thyme to half a bottle of Chambord and leave in the fridge for four days, shaking every day. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to carefully remove the thyme.

Enjoy these exceptional creations safe in the knowledge that every bottle of Salcombe Gin sold makes our oceans healthier, with 1% of the UK net sales revenue donated to the Marine Conservation Society to protect and regenerate precious ocean habitats.

For further information about Salcombe Gin, visit www.salcombegin.com, follow SalcombeGin on Instagram and Facebook. 

Isle of Harris Gin is the perfect Christmas tipple

It's the perfect festive tipple, for gifting or savouring this Christmas.

A true taste of the Scottish isles.

Distilled and bottled in the delightful Scottish Hebridean seaside village of Tarbert, Isle of Harris Distillery has developed a spirit that really celebrates its heritage in every single drop. 

As the key botanical, Sugar Kelp seaweed, only hand harvested from local sea-lochs, creates dry maritime notes which are softened by the fresh rainwaters which flow from the nearby stream, Abhainn Cnoc a ’Charrain. 

Its iconic bottle and taste is what makes Harris Gin so very special, and gives the drinker a true ‘from the sea’ experience.

You can currently find Isle of Harris Gin at selected UK stockists and The Online Isle of Harris Gin Shop. A 700ml bottle retails for £43.00 and Isle of Harris products are shipped within the UK at no extra cost. 

It's the ideal Christmas gift for any gin lover, Isle of Harris Distillers offer gift sets priced from £70.00 to £92.00, complete with 700ml bottle plus two glasses (Copa de Balon, highball or Harris serve tumbler as options) as well as the ultimate gift from Harris, the iconic bottle, 2x Harris serve glasses and Sugar Kelp Aromatic Water. 

Each gift set is tucked beneath a beautiful debossed lid, made from natural card stock and flecked with copper and sugar kelp flakes, and includes a special hi-resolution photographic print of Harris’ shores by local man Iain Angus Macleod, botanical information, special cocktail recipes and tasting notes, finished with a unique, handwritten card.

The ultimate glassware

Whether you’re buying for a drinks enthusiast, a homeware lover, or a loved one who has an eye for design, give them the gift of Harris this Christmas with its range of beautiful glassware. 

Priced from £28.00 to £30.00, you can choose from a twin set of Harris Serve glasses, highballs or Copa de Balon complete with perfect serves and presented in a completely recyclable and sustainably produced gift box – Harris’ greenest gift sets to date. 

(And ideal for self-gifting, too, dare we at That's Christmas suggest? Go on! You know you are worth it!)

https://harrisdistillery.com

https://harrisdistillery.com/pages/official-stockists

Add a touch of Finish splendour to your Christmas celebrations

This isn't your grandma's liqueur – this is Kyrö Dairy Cream!

You can really boost your Christmas celebrations with Kyrö Dairy Cream, which is an absolutely deliciously indulgent milk punch liqueur that really embodies the spirit of the season. You can delight in its velvety richness and festive charm, adding a touch of magic to your favourite serves.

Kyrö Dairy Cream is a Finnish cream liqueur with a touch of 100% rye malt whisky. It's carefully crafted with local milk and cream and a splash of Kyrö Malt rye whisky, which does not contain lactose, gluten, or any artificial colours or flavours. It tastes of liquorice, chocolate, toffee, fresh dairy cream, with a hint of salt.

Enjoy neat with ice, add to creamy cocktails, coffees, and desserts.

Available to buy in Waitrose, Kyro Distillery Website or Master of Malt. ABV 16%, 500ml. RRP £19.95

If a creamy liqueur isn't your cup of tea, so to speak, why not make the world's best Gin and Tonic this Christmas with the award-winning Kyrö Gin?

Immerse yourself in a delightful world of aromatic botanicals and winter wonders as you sip on the finest Finnish craftsmanship?

Unleash the Nordic magic this Christmas with Kyrö Gin and be transported to a realm of enchantment, where juniper-infused flavours dance on your palate, evoking memories of snowy landscapes and cosy yuletide gatherings.

Kyrö Gin is a Finnish gin made with 100% rye and wild local botanicals. It tastes herbal and sweet, gentle citrus, peppery rye.

Just add tonic, plenty of ice and freshly harvested garnishes with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for a delicious Kyrö Gin serve.

An award-winning spirit, Kyrö Gin was voted the ‘World’s Best Compound Gin’ in the 2023 World Gin Awards

Available to buy in Waitrose, Kyro Distillery Website or Master of Malt. ABV 42.6%, 500ml. RRP £29.95  

Kyrö Pink Gin is sweeter than nature!

Celebrate the sweetness of this Christmas with Kyrö Pink Gin, which is a deliciously fruity and vibrant gin that will paint your Christmas festivities in delicate shades of pink. 

So, why nor let Kyrö Pink Gin be the centrepiece of holiday gatherings, as its blushing hues and delightful taste mesmerises your senses?:

Kyrö Pink Gin is a stupendously Finnish gin made with 100% rye, fresh red berries, and rhubarb. It tastes of rhubarb, custard, berries, juniper, smooth sweetness. ​

Just add tonic, plenty of ice and garnish with frozen festive berries for a delicious Kyrö Gin serve.

Available to buy on the Kyrö Distillery website or Master of Malt. ABV 38.2%, 500ml. RRP £29.95 ​

Kyrö Malt is as rye as it gets!

Embark on a sensory journey this Christmas with Kyrö Malt—a whisky that captures the essence of the season in every sip. Immerse yourself in the rich flavors and craftsmanship that define this exquisite malt, carefully crafted to warm your heart during the festive season.

Kyrö Malt is a single batch Finnish malt whisky made with 100% rye. It is double pot-distilled and aged in new white oak casks. It tastes of intense pepperiness, balanced with sweet notes of caramel and vanilla. ​

It's perfect sipped as it is, in a whisky sour – or any way you like.

Available to buy on the Kyrö Distillery website or Master of Malt. ABV 47.2%, 500ml. RRP £49.95 

Kyrö Distillery Company is a Finnish all-rye distillery founded in 2012. It’s run from the small town of in Finland where its distillery and visitor centre is located. The visitor centre hosts 15,000 visitors annually.

Kyrö has won multiple awards over the years, including international Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) where Kyrö Malt Rye Whisky recently won ‘Gold Outstanding’, scoring an impressive 98/100 points. Kyrö Gin and Kyrö Pink Gin have both recently won ‘Gold’ in the World Gin Awards, along with Great Taste stars.

https://www.kyrodistillery.co.uk

Craft Gin Club Launches Gin Advent Calendar to Welcome in Christmas 2023

The Craft Gin Club (www.craftginclub.co.uk) is to launch its fabulously festive Craft Gin Advent Calendar for 2023 at a price of £94.95 from 1st September (pre-sale) and on general sale from 1st October on the Craft Gin Club online shop.

The calendar features 25 miniature bottles, each containing a double shot (50ml) of craft gin, so you'll get to enjoy a special G&T on Christmas Day, also!

All the craft gins are new to the calendar for this year, and the selection includes seven exclusive gins created just for Craft Gin Club by master distilleries from all over the UK

For example, the massively popular Cornish craft distiller, Tarquin's, has created an exclusive Mince Pie Gin recipe. This gin can't be purchased anywhere else.

The gins come from the finest craft distillers from around the UK and also from across the globe.

Featuring a fun and fabulously retro hand-drawn design, the calendar will take pride of place in any festive gin-lover's living room!

The advent calendar also has three tasty cocktail serving suggestions to try at home: a 'Claus-mopolitan', a 'Festive Snowball' and a 'Sloe Gin Negroni'

The back of the calendar also outlines a suggested mixer and garnish to pair with each individual gin, as chosen by Craft Gin Club's in-house mixologist, so you can enjoy the perfect G&T with each and every door opening; a 'pairing bundle' of mixers will be available on the online shop to accompany the advent calendar from September.