The Gin Guide - Global Gin Awards 2018


The Gin Guide Awards are an independent celebration of our historic, diverse, and growing spirits category and the exceptional products, distilleries, and people within it across the world.

Shortlists and winners of the gin awards are selected through a rigorous blind tasting process by The Gin Guide judging panel, with specialisms in gin production, mixology and marketing.

Category winners can earn the right to display the coveted The Gin Guide 'Recommended' logo, 'Winner' logo, bottle stickers, and winner's certificate, as well as receiving coverage, promotion and content features. Shortlisted gins receive the 'Shortlisted' logo and online coverage, and all entries receive a judges' comment and are eligible for a profile on The Gin Guide.

HOW TO ENTER

 The Gin Guide Awards are open to gins from all countries that are bottled at over 37.5%, un-aged and publicly available at the time of entry.
Each gin can be entered into a single category (£45 per gin) or into multiple categories (£60 per gin). If you have any questions, please contact awards@theginguide.com

Members of The Gin Guide receive free entry for 1 gin into multiple categories, alongside a wide range of annual benefits - Find out more and become a Member. 
Schedule
Entries Close: Monday 4th June
Sample Delivery Deadline: Monday 11th June 
Shortlists Announced: By Monday 18th June
Winners Announced: By Friday 22nd June
Winners Tasting Event: TBA

The Gin Guide Awards Terms & Conditions
Samples for Judging
  • If entering 1-2 tasting categories: Min. one (1) 50cl or 70cl bottle.
  • If entering 3+ tasting categories: Min. two (2) 50cl or 70cl bottles.
​ Delivery is to the UK. Full details are provided during the entry process.
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Rates
  • Entering 1 gin into 2+ categories: £60 per gin
  • Entering 1 gin into 1 category: £45 per gin
Payment Options: Credit/Debit Card, Paypal or Invoice for Bank Transfer

AWARDS CATEGORIES

For each category an overall, global winner is selected. In the 'Production' and 'Style' categories, a European, Non-European and UK winner will also be named. If you are unsure if your gin is eligible for a category, please contact awards@theginguide.com before entering.

Production

  • London Dry Gin: Gins produced using the London Dry method. 
  • Distilled Gin: Gins produced using a still, not using the London Dry method.
  • Compound Gin: Gins produced without a still using the compounding method. 

Style

  • Traditional Gin: Prominently juniper-forward gins with traditional core botanicals (e.g. angelica root, orris root, coriander seeds).
  • Contemporary Gin: Gins with identifiable juniper and non-traditional botanicals or profiles (e.g. bold floral, spice or herbal profiles) -  excludes flavoured or fruit-led gins.
  • Flavoured (or Fruit-led) Gin: Gins with most prominent flavours of fruit or other botanicals (e.g. a Rhubarb Gin) - excludes gin liqueurs.   
  • Old Tom Gin: Gins in the Old Tom style, sweetened with botanicals or sugar.
  • Navy Strength Gin: Over-proof Gins. Bottled at 57% - 58%. 

Region

  • UK Gin: Gins produced and bottled in the UK.
  • European Gin: Gins produced and bottled in Europe (inc. UK). 
  • Non-European Gin: Gins produced and bottled outside of Europe. 
  • Additional Regional Awards: If a minimum threshold of entries is received for an individual country, an additional award category will be established for this country.

Industry & Other (Non-Tasting)

  • Gin Innovation: Gins or distilleries that have developed unique production methods, botanicals or products. Supporting information required.
  • Spirit of Gin: Gin producers that contribute a significant percentage of profits or time to charitable, not-for-profit or gin industry causes. Supporting information required.  
Additional Categories
The following categories cannot be entered individually and are shortlisted by The Gin Guide panel, industry writers and bloggers, and consumer panels or voting:
  • People's Choice: Shortlisted by The Gin Guide panel and selected by online vote  ​
  • Writers' Choice: Submitted by industry journalists and bloggers, then shortlisted and voted for by journalists and bloggers 
  • Editor's Choice: Shortlisted by The Gin Guide panel and selected by the Editor, Paul Jackson
  • Members Award: Shortlisted and awarded by The Gin Guide panel from current Members of The Gin Guide