|
|
Entrants' Area
Thank you again for entering The Gin Guide Awards 2026 / The Spirits Guide Awards 2026 and for completing your online payment or requesting an invoice. We're delighted to have you involved in this globally-recognised celebration of exceptional spirits, distilleries, and distillers across the world. Here you can find the full Awards schedule, delivery and sample information, contact details, and more.
If you have entered the Design & Branding category, please submit your Supporting Information & Imagery Form by 9th February 2026.
If you have entered the Design & Branding category, please submit your Supporting Information & Imagery Form by 9th February 2026.
What Happens Next?
You'll be kept up to date via email updates at each key stage of the Awards process, including being introduced to the 2026 judging panel, more information about the judging process, and of course notifications of announcements of Finalists and Medal Winners. You can also keep up to date on The Gin Guide Instagram and Facebook.
Full Awards Schedule 2026
- Entry Closes: Friday 30th January
- Sample Delivery Deadline: Monday 9th February
- Design & Branding Form Submission Deadline (if applicable): Monday 9th February
- Preparation of Judging Samples: 16th February - 27th February
- Samples Sent to Judges: 2nd March - 6th March
- Judging: 9th March - 3rd April
- Collation of Scores & Comments: 7th April - 17th April
- Finalists Announced: From 22nd April, by category
- Winners Announced: From 6th May, by category
- Certificates Sent: Estimated 15th May
- Tasting Scores & Judges' Comments Sent: by 5th June
Samples & Delivery
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL ENTRANTS: Please read the additional guide (below) for details on sending samples from outside the UK and download the Commercial Invoice template.
Sample Requirements:
Sample Requirements:
- One (1) 70cl, 75cl or 50cl bottle of each spirit entered. Two (2) 50cl bottles are required if also entering both Gin Cocktail categories.
- The bottles must be fully labelled and sealed, and provided as per retail.
- Members of The Gin Guide may request for recently sent sample bottles to be used for judging.
- Please only send your samples and do not include marketing materials (e.g. leaflets) or promotional items.
- All taxes and duties must be paid in full in order to be accepted. For deliveries requiring the payment of additional import taxes or duties, entrants will be contacted to pay the additional costs.
- Full shipping details and sample requirements can be found on the Shipping & Samples page.
Delivery Address
Contact Phone Number
- The Spirits Guide Awards, 69 Oaken Grove, Maidenhead, SL6 6HN, United Kingdom.
Contact Phone Number
- If your courier or delivery company requires a phone number for the delivery, please use +44 7846 807105
Sending Samples from Outside the UK
Please read the below instructions and complete the downloadable Commercial Invoice and attach it to the outside of your shipment if possible, or include inside if not.
- Commercial Invoice: All bottles being sent from outside the UK must be accompanied by the Commercial Invoice.
- Couriers & Shipping Agents: Wherever possible, please use an established international shipping agent such as Fedex, DHL, UPS or TNT.
- Our EORI Number: GB077487268000
- Value Per Bottle: For customs purposes only, enter a nominal value of EUR €1 or USD $1.
- Reason for Export: 'Samples for tasting'.
- Delivered Duty Paid (DDP): All spirits that enter the UK are required to pay Duty and UK VAT. It is the responsibility of the entrant to pay for all customs duties and taxes. There is typically an option to choose whether the duties are being paid by the Sender or Receiver - please select 'Sender'.
- Import Declaration: Instruction to complete the Import Declaration should be given to your chosen shipping agent or courier company.
- 'Shipper Accepts Charge': This should be noted on the documentation provided by your shipping agent or courier company. Keep a copy of the documents as proof that UK Duties have been paid.
- Unpaid Taxes & Duty: Deliveries with unpaid taxes and duties will be either accepted or rejected at the discretion of The Gin Guide Awards. If payment of unpaid additional import taxes or duties needs to completed on your behalf, this is possible and an invoice will be sent to you to reimburse the costs.
Feedback, Recommendations & Contact
We're always looking to further improve The Gin Guide Awards and have implemented a range of improvements and new benefits in response to the wonderful feedback from 2025. We'd love to hear your comments on the entry process, what could make it simpler for you, any additional information you'd like to see, and any other comments.
For any questions, comments, recommendations or ideas, please email us at [email protected]
For any questions, comments, recommendations or ideas, please email us at [email protected]
