Sloe Gin World Champions 2016
Artisan sloe gin makers from across the world gathered at a
village pub on the Kent/Sussex border near Tunbridge Wells, to vie for the
'Sloe Ginster World Champion' title for 2016 on Wednesday 14th December.
Now an annual event, hosted by The George Inn in Frant, this
was the 8th such competition.
The “liquid deli” Demijohn, which has outlets in Edinburgh,
Glasgow, York and Oxford, using sloes foraged in Worcestershire, was crowned
Sloe Ginster World Champion for the third year in succession. The silver medal
went to London based Mother's Ruin. The
bronze medal was award to Bramley & Gage's 6 O'Clock gin from Thornbury in
Bristol.
Elephant Gin made in Germany, but with South African
origins, received a Highly Commended award.
The homemade category, which attracted more than 30 entries,
a record number, was won by food blogger Danielle Ellis from Littlecombe near
Dursley in Gloucestershire. Susan Gage from Hailsham in Sussex came second.
Third place went to Zoe Rutterford of Chickney Hall Farm at Dunmow in Essex.
Interestingly, in the blind tasting, the three judges -
Anita Martin, Mark Baldwin and Dianna Morris – all scored the top six homemade
entries above any of the commercial contestants.
Demijohn's winning sloe gin described by judges Anita
Martin, Mark Baldwin and Diana Morris as, “Not too sweet, not too dry and a
perfect drink for the winter,” is based on a family recipe dating back to
1842. It is made for made by a husband
and wife team, Colin and Phyllis Hingston, in Worcestershire. Although the
recipe, which uses London dry gin, is a closely guarded secret, Demijohn MD
Angus Ferguson advises those making their own concoction to “Never infuse for
less than 10 months to ensure a rich and deep flavour.”
The dry late summer made for a late growing season for sloes
or drupes – the bitter fruit of the blackthorn bush but foragers were rewarded
with an early first frost, after which by tradition, the berries are harvested.
All proceeds of the event are donated to the MS which
supports people with Multiple Sclerosis - www.mssociety.org.uk.
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