News / Distiller bags gold and silver
THE UNST-based Shetland Distillery Company has won two prizes at a leading spirits competition in America.
Its Shetland Reel blended malt scotch whisky bagged a gold medal at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The company’s second gin Ocean Sent received a silver medal. Last year its flagship Shetland Reel Gin also pocketed silver.
Shetland Distillery Company managing director Stuart Nickerson said he was “delighted” to win two medals at the international event.
“To have done so when the competition was even more fierce – a record 1,850 spirits were judged this year compared to just over 1,500 last year – is fantastic,” he said.
“It shows that despite our size we are able consistently to produce quality spirits with a unique story behind them that people really enjoy drinking.”
The company meanwhile confirmed earlier this week that it has added a graduate in brewing and distilling to its ranks, bringing its number of full-time employees to two.
Marc Watson, 26, will help the business develop new products.
The former Heriot-Watt University student previously worked with Shetland Distillery Company to launch the recent limited edition Up Helly Aa Shetland Reel Gin.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 630 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.