Double award win for Salcombe Gin
South Devon based Salcombe Distilling Co. (SDCo.) is celebrating two impressive award wins in less than a week. In the 'Small Visitor Attraction of the Year' category at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards, the Salcombe Gin School was awarded the highest accolade of 'Gold'. The celebrations continued at the Food Reader Awards on Monday when SDCo. was presented with the 'Best Drink' award.
Commenting on the South West Tourism Excellence Awards, Howard Davies, co-founder of SDCo. says: "We're incredibly proud of this award, it's a fantastic honour for the Salcombe Gin School. Frequently fully booked, it's enjoyed phenomenal success since its launch with locals and visitors to the area. It's testament to our brilliant team who help each visitor get creative and learn about the art of distillation." He continues: "As a top performer at the awards we now go on to be nominated in the national VisitEngland Awards in summer 2020. We're really excited about the next stage and are looking forward to representing the South West!"
Commenting on the Food Reader Awards, Angus Lugsdin, co-founder of SDCo. says: "We've never won this award before so are absolutely thrilled, especially as we were up against such stiff competition from across the region, including the Cotswolds and Cornwall. The award is particularly special, as you cannot enter the competition and can only be nominated by consumers. When we launched SDCo. in Devon three years ago, there were only three other gin brands, now there are approximately 15 in Devon alone." He continues: "We are delighted to be a part of this amazing movement in the UK and a category that is responsible for employment, where customers are interested in the provenance of ingredients and a brand which is exporting overseas."
Launched in March 2017, the Salcombe Gin School is the ultimate experience for the curious gin lover. Alongside Salcombe Gin's waterside Distillery and Tasting Bar is the Salcombe Gin School. The experience begins with a 'Salcombe & Tonic' in hand, whilst enjoying a guided tour. Students then head to the outstanding distilling laboratory for adults and take charge of a mini-copper pot still to develop and distil their bespoke 70cl bottle of gin to take home. During distillation students sample, name and bottle their gin, before placing it in a presentation box with a personalised label. The experience concludes enjoying an additional measure of their gin in the bar overlooking stunning Salcombe (this experience costs £110 for one person or a shared experience for two costs £160).
Hosted at Exeter Cathedral, the South West Tourism Excellence Awards are the largest annual regional gathering of South West tourism businesses. Following a rigorous judging process in which 773 entries were considered, 107 different awards were presented. Winners were spread across the whole region from Wiltshire and Dorset in the east, to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in the west to Devon in the south and Bristol, Bath and Gloucestershire in the north.
The Food Reader Awards are the most anticipated reader-voted awards in the South West. After 100,000 online votes, the winners were revealed at a glittering awards ceremony at Darts Farm in Devon. Food Magazine is the South West's original leading food magazine providing foodies of the South West and visitors hand-picked places to eat, stay and shop and cook since 2003.
