The Gin Guide Awards 2021 - Entry Categories

The Gin Guide Awards are an independent and global celebration of our historic, diverse and growing spirits category. Recognised and respected by the trade and consumers across the world, The Gin Guide Awards showcase and celebrate the exceptional products, distilleries and people within the gin industry.

For each category, Finalists are selected before global Winners are then selected, as well as Highly Commended Gins. In the 'Production' and 'Style' categories a highest scorer for each applicable continent and country will also be named. Up to 3 overall Winners will be selected for each tasting category.

If you are unsure if your gin is eligible for a category, please contact awards@theginguide.com or +44 7846 807105 before entering.

Production

These categories are defined by the production method of the gin, rather than the flavour or character:

London Dry Gin: Gins produced using the London Dry Gin method (definition provided during entry).
Compound Gin: Gins produced using a cold 'bathtub' method.
Aged Gin: Gins aged in wooden barrels or aged with wood chips or staves.
Distillery of the Year Award: For the distillery whose gin range (3 entries or more) achieves the highest score across multiple categories. The Winner is awarded an engraved Glencairn Crystal trophy.
New Distillery of the Year Award: For the distillery launched in 2020 whose gin range (2 entries or more) achieves the highest score across multiple categories.

Style

These categories are defined by the taste and character of the gin, rather than the production method:

Traditional Gin: Unmistakably juniper-forward gins with traditional flavour profiles & botanicals (e.g. juniper, angelica root, orris root, coriander seeds, citrus) and no prominence of contemporary botanicals.
Contemporary Gin: Gins with prominent juniper alongside non-traditional botanicals or flavour profiles (e.g. bold floral or herbal profiles). Excludes Flavoured Gins, Signature Botanical Gins and Barrel Aged Gins.
Flavoured Gin: Gins with identifiable juniper and prominent natural flavours of fruit or other botanicals from which flavour is achieved through distillation, infusion or blending. Excludes gin liqueurs and aged gins.
Spiced Gin: Gins with clearly identifiable juniper alongside and a prominent focus on a combination of spice botanicals.
Navy Strength / High ABV Gin: Gins bottled at 57% ABV or above (max. 70% ABV).
Old Tom Gin: Gins in the traditional Old Tom style, sweetened in distillation or post-distillation, and labelled as Old Tom.

Region

These categories are defined by the distillation location of the gin:

African Gin: Gins produced and bottled within Africa.
American Gin: Gins produced and bottled within the USA, Central America, South America or the Caribbean.
Asian Gin: Gins produced and bottled within Asia.
Australasian Gin: Gins produced and bottled within Australia or New Zealand.
British Gin: Gins produced and bottled within Britain.
European Gin: Gins produced and bottled within Europe (inc. UK).

Country Categories: Additional national and regional Awards are established for all countries and geographical regions from which the threshold number of entries are received. For example, see the 2020 International Awards results.

Design & Sustainability

Design & Branding Award (additional cost - £70): For the gins with the most outstanding combination of branding, bottling, labelling, presentation and related brand activity and materials. Judged by gin industry professionals and spirits marketing, PR, retail and merchandising specialists.
Environmental Sustainability Award - Sponsored by Flexi-Hex: For the gins most effectively, uncompromisingly and measurably introducing and using processes and materials for sustainability, waste reduction and limiting environmental impact. Judged by industry specialists and sustainability experts. Sponsors are excluded from involvement in judging or results.

You will be contacted after entry for additional information to support your entry into these categories.

Industry Categories

The following categories are not open for entry and are shortlisted by The Gin Guide judging panel, industry writers and bloggers:

The Spirit of Gin Award: For the gin considered to be having the greatest impact on the gin industry and gin community. Voted for by gin producers, journalists and bloggers.
Industry Choice Award - Gin: Voted for by industry journalists, bloggers and influencers.
Industry Choice Award - Distillery: Voted for by industry journalists, bloggers and influencers.
Industry Choice Award - Event: Voted for by industry journalists, bloggers and influencers.
Industry Choice Award - Innovation: Voted for by industry journalists, bloggers and influencers.