Penwortham No.1 Fairham Gin lands two accolades at Spirits Awards

A Penwortham gin firm has picked up two silver awards for a dry Lancashire gin range at the 2022 IWSC Spirits Awards.

Liam Stemson and Ellis McKeown, owners and distillers at No.1 Fairham Gin, launched their Signature Edition in April 2021.

As they approach their first anniversary as a distillery, the Signature earned 94 points out of 100 after the firm joined the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London this year, with expert judges from across the global spirits trade.

IWSC Silver winners Liam Stemson and Ellis McKeown

Ellis said: “Since launching last April, we have been on an amazing journey where we have shouted about how great our gin is, and now, we finally have the recognition to show for it.

“It’s a fantastic way to mark our first year as a distillery.”

Ochre Edition, launched in November 2021, has also received silver, earning 90 points through the process.

As the gin market grows year on year, receiving praise from the IWSC judges is something that fills Liam and Ellis with pride.

Liam said: “Whenever we speak to people at markets or interact with gin lovers on social media, we’re always blown away by the response our craft gin gets.

“Secretly, we know we have made fine additions to the huge gin market, and our unique expressions are something that you won’t find anywhere else.”

The pair will enter their second year of business hoping to add to their core range of editions and are currently enjoying the experimental stage of making a new recipe for Penwortham No.1 Fairham Gin.

Liam said: “We’re eager to keep exploring the art of being craft gin distillers.

“Our next release will fit in nicely with our other two editions, complimenting them well and further emphasising what we are about as a distillery.”

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