International Wine and Spirits award for new Craft Gin

Shortcross Gin, a recently launched craft gin business in Northern Ireland, has won a Silver Outstanding medal in the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition. The recognition comes just months after the gin was launched by Rademon Estate Craft Distillery.

Rademon Craft Distillery, based at Crossgar in county Down, launched its first product, Shortcross Gin using botanicals grown on the family-owned estate, in April.

David Boyd Armstrong, managing director of Rademon Craft Distillery, says: "Winning an outstanding silver award in this important competition is a marvellous boost for a small business such as Rademon.

"It highlights the quality of our gin and should be of tremendous benefit as we endeavour to grow sales particularly in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland."

The awards also saw recognition for another relatively recent Northern Irish spirit - Bushmills Honey - produced at the historic Old Bushmills Distillery in county Antrim. The Honey product, launched in 2012, gained a silver award in the competition.

There were other awards for Old Bushmills, regarded as the world's oldest licensed distillery. These were:

Gold for Bushmills Single Malt 10 years

Gold for Bushmills Single Malt 21 years

Silver Outstanding for Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey

Another Northern Irish producer, Niche Drinks in Londonderry, a specialist in Irish Cream Liqueur. Niche, which is planning to build a new Irish Whiskey distillery in Londonderry, gained silver awards for Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Irish Cream and for Tesco's Finest Irish Cream.

Established in 1969, the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) was the first competition of its kind, set up to seek out, reward and promote the world's best wines, spirits and liqueurs. Now in its 45thyear, the IWSC's relentless pursuit of excellence underpins every aspect of the competition today.

What sets the IWSC apart is the formidable reputation of its judging process. The panels of carefully selected industry experts comprise Masters of Wine, buyers, sommeliers, WSET qualified educators and respected wine journalists. Every single wine is assessed on its own merits within the context of its class.

Currently receiving entries from around 90 countries, the IWSC is truly international in its reach and recognition. Our partners around the world work throughout the year to drive awareness and promote winners to both trade and consumer audiences.

With 45 years heritage, an IWSC Award is recognised internationally as a badge of quality.