Overall, the judges were full of praise for the standard of gins presented in the first instalment of this year’s competition. Experimentation was well received, and The LIVE virtual tastings are carried out in the last week of the month. Please keep an eye on our socials for confirmed dates! Perrett said: “They were really good, delivering more intense flavours, better integration, although some needed work on the integration of the alcohol. They brought more heightened complexity. Something that punches doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good – for the price you’re paying you have to show a level of refinement.”

Hernö Gin Distillery increased its medal haul in this flight with two more Masters, one for Hernö Navy Strength Gin, with notes of “spice, minerality and lovely spice”, and another for “resinous, lemon and pine” Hernö Juniper Cask Gin. Ellström from Pernod Ricard to lead international large-scale investment and further commercial growth. Three Silvers were also awarded to Juniperus Distillatus, Horseshoe Gin, and The Molen Gin. Gin and tonic: The judges commented how multiple award-winning entries would make fantastic G&Ts

Due to long hours of daylight and warm days and cold nights, Norway enjoys what may be, the best conditions in the world for growing herbs and berries. In fact 18 of the 26 botanicals used in Bareksten can be found growing around the Distillery. The base product of potatoes is locally sourced as every effort is made to ensure that Norwegian-grown produce is used. GG: Describe how you settled on your award-winning recipe, and the botanicals that make it unique? How are they sourced? Stig: We are about to expand our production capacity from two to six stills. We favour the quality and expression of gin made in the small still (600 litres). So rather than installing one bigger still, we are now implementing an additional four of the 600 ls. Four Pillars Distillery collected two more Master awards, one for “full-bodied” Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin, and a second for “unique, creative and balanced” Four Pillars x Yarra Yering Single Vineyard Underhill Bloody Shiraz. Settlers Spirits Yuzu Gin also received a Master award, enjoyed for its “bright, citrus notes, fresh yuzu” profile. The Craft & Co was awarded a Gold medal in the closing flight for its Gingerbread Gin Liqueur. Milliken found “lots of playful spice” on the nose with “some delicate ginger heat” palate.

Tobias Gorn, co-founder and senior partner of International Drinks Specialists, chaired a panel comprising Dr Winifred Bowman, wine and spirits judge, and drinks writer; and Masha Twemlow, associate specialist at International Drinks Specialists. Athavia’s team agreed. She said: “There were some good London Dry examples, a couple that were not very London Dry style but unique and individual in their own right. There was some very good distillation here with clarity of flavours. All of them were very well made.”

The Botanical Spirit

and Co London Dry Gin was awarded a Master medal after the judges enjoyed its “lovely balance, sweet, citrus and juniper notes”, while Hernö Swedish Capital Gin took home a Master award for being “really good with liquorice, angelica and spice” flavours. Gin is not the only alcoholic beverage Bergen is becoming famous for. Read about the local beer here. King Hill’s Gin secured a Master medal after the judges discovered flavours of “sweet cinnamon, juniper and lovely green herbs”, while Lord Misrule received the Master title for being “interesting and complex, with a lovely sweet mouthfeel”.

Four gins also lived up to the Gold standard, including Martin Miller’s 9 Moons Gin, which was described as having flavours of “flat leaf parsley”, and a “delicate, well-balanced palate”. Gold-winning Tom Cat Gin was also enjoyed for flavours of “caramel and toffee” on the nose, and Sorgin Yellow was enjoyed for its profile of “strong botanicals, with some apple cider vinegar notes”. Stig Bareksten: During my bartending years, followed by years working as brand ambassador in the industry, I have been fortunate to visit numerous distilleries throughout the world. I have always taken interest in the story behind the brands, and how the ingredients and production method influence the taste of the product.

Where can I taste Bareksten gin?

The following flight – Cask-Aged – presented a selection of gins that had been rested in barrels after distillation. Two Master-worthy gins were noted in this round, the first of which was Hernö Juniper Cask Gin. The gin was celebrated for its “aquavit-like nose” and “well-integrated, long finish”. Grand Crew Cask-Aged Irish Gin also won a Master award for being “still recognisable as gin”, with “slight hints of oak and vanilla to add complexity”. He started OSS CRAFT in 2015, wanting to build his own brand, Bareksten. He has indeed succeeded. In 2017, Bareksten Botanical Gin won double gold in the "unofficial world championship in gin". Since then the gin has won more than 30 awards. Ten gins proved they have what it takes to win a Gold medal in the following flight: Organic. Swedish producer Hernö continued to grow its medal tally in this heat, adding four Gold medals to its name. Awards were given to Hernö Dry Gin and Hernö Pink Btl Gin, among others. The second part of the tasting will take place later this year, when the Master medallists from both parts of the competition will be retasted to determine The Gin Taste Master 2022. Stay tuned… Bareksten Botanical Gin is made with a combination of 26 botanicals, 19 of which are locally sourced. It is described as tasting like a Norwegian forest, with vibrancy on the nose.

It looks like it’s getting hard to find a classic London Dry gin, but the experimentation is so exciting and you travel from extra bold juniper notes to a variety of peculiar flavours,” said Piromallo. Are you above average interested in gin? Then you’re in for a treat! Bergen has its very own Gin Festival, held for the first time in 2019. It was such a great success that it called for repetition. Here you will find distillers, good stories, other gin nerds - and lots of gin. Generally, the judges were impressed with the standard presented in the super-premium round. Kennard said: “These were solid examples of gin, with some interesting experimentation going on. You want some experimentation in the category, holding true to its definition; you still get juniper in them.Gold awards were bestowed upon 12 deserving entries, including Irish Distillers’ Method & Madness Irish Micro Distilled Gin. The judges enjoyed notes of “resinous pine and aniseed” on the nose, leading to “fresh pine and peppery spice” on the palate. Eight Gold medals gave the flight a boost, with awards going to Inverclyde Old Thom Gin with “lots of raspberry”, and “well balanced with a good aftertaste” OP Anderson Distillery Old Tom Gin.