19 August 2019
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Graham Norton’s foray into the drinks business has seen two of his new-to-market gins win gold and silver at the prestigious Gin Masters 2019 competition in London recently.
Judged alongside industry peers, in a blind tasting competition, Graham Norton’s Own Irish Gin scooped a coveted gold medal, while his popular Graham Norton’s Own Pink Gin landed a silver award. In a hotly contested competition, over 300 of the world’s favourite gins were presented to the experts at the 2019 awards, while sales of these special gins reflect their popularity, not just with older gin connoisseurs, but with selective millennials and Generation Z.
Picture. John Allen
Picture. John Allen
Created in collaboration with West Cork Distilleries, Skibbereen, Graham Norton’s Own Irish Gin is a combination of juniper and coriander, with hints of locally foraged rosehip, fuchsia petals and gooseberries rounding off the special blend of 12 botanicals. The gins boast a London Dry style and a flavour as likeable and distinctive as the man himself! His second winner, Graham Norton’s Own Pink Gin, has pushed the boundaries with its use of locally foraged botanicals also, both are produced from 100% Irish grain, drawing its flavours from rose petals, lemon peel, orange peel, elderflower to name but a few.
Michael Barry of Barry & Fitzwilliam, distributors of Graham Norton wines and gins in Ireland, comments that: ‘If there was such a thing as a winner’s enclosure for quality gins, Graham would surely lead in the winners, having already won a couple of golds and a trophy for his gins, including at the UK Women’s Wine & Spirits competition (winning the Gin of the Year accolade), and silver and bronze medals at the San Francisco international Spirits Competition some weeks ago, to mention a few’.
Michael added: ‘The rise in gin sales is truly phenomenal, and now, with the arrival of Graham’s gins, the gin story gains momentum, with a new appeal to consumers, originally driven by the connection to the popular broadcaster, but now enhanced by actual award-winning validation’
Graham Norton’s Own Irish Gins are distributed through Barry & Fitzwilliam and are available at SuperValu, O’Briens, Carry Out, Spar and independent off licences throughout the country.
Graham Norton Wines (GN Wine range includes a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, an Australian Shiraz, New Zealand Rosé and Italian Prosecco) available at SuperValu, Dunnes, Tesco, Carry Out, Spar and independent off licence throughout the country.
