manchesterfoodtourist Wolftown, has won a fourth award for its second gin expression – Wolftown Citrus Gin – at the 2023 International Wine and Spirits Competition.
Following another strong year for spirits entries, the IWSC has announced the medal winners for its 2023 spirits awards.
During the first two weeks of March, 120 of the world’s leading spirit experts gathered in London to assess over 4,100 entries from 98 countries.
All spirits were tasted by the IWSC’s specially selected panel of industry experts, led by members of its Spirits Judging Committee: Ian Burrell, Marie Cheong Thong, Dawn Davies MW, Joel Harrison, Deano Moncrieffe, Richard Paterson OBE, David T. Smith, Shannon Tebay and Olivier Ward.
Wolftown Citrus Gin received a score of 87/100 and a Bronze Medal, with the following tasting notes: “aromas of citrus pith and thyme. A fresh, mellow, creamy palate akin to lemon cheesecake.”
Co-founder of Wolftown, John McKeown said “We are once again delighted to announce that our delicious Wolftown Citrus Gin has gained another accolade and to receive any award from the globally respected IWSC competition, is a massive stamp of approval.”
Wolftown Citrus Gin, was conceived after the disappointment of being unable to travel to Sorrento to celebrate co-founder, Helen McKeown’s birthday in 2020.
“Not being able to travel gave us the inspiration to produce a classic gin with a big citrus hit, so we could at least imagine that we were sitting on the Amalfi coast,” said Helen, who also works as a travel agent at Travel The Globe, independent travel experts in Barrow and Ulverston. “We made sure we got to Sorrento in the end and of course took a bottle with us,” she continued
The brand is stocked in selected retailers, bars and restaurants in Cumbria, including in three businesses belonging to multi-Michelin starred restaurateur Simon Rogan and after a successful recent trip to Northern Restaurant & Bar trade show in Manchester, are looking to expand out of the region.
“We are delighted to be available throughout Cumbria with our local wholesaler, Grapevine and are now looking to capitalise on the tremendous interest that we recently received from chains of bars in Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Cheshire,’ enthused co-founder John McKeown.
“Hospitality businesses seem to be looking to reduce the number of gins they stock, in favour of something that will stand out on the shelf and satisfy people’s thirst for something unique,” said John. “They are definitely getting that with our gins and with the wide range of accolades that they have received, they know they will be getting quality too,’ he continued.
What are Wolftown’s plans for the future?
“We have two excellent spirits that were produced from inspiration and instinct and we wouldn’t want to dilute the brand by producing other drinks for the sake of it,’ John explained. “We are talking to someone about a possible collaboration and whatever we produce next, will be carefully considered and has two great acts to follow.”
Anyone that would like to stock Wolftown should email sales@wolftown.uk, or bottles can be bought online at Wolftown.uk
