Gold for Northern Ireland's Shortcross Gin

Shortcross Gin, recently launched by Rademon Craft Distillery in Northern Ireland, gained gold and silver awards in the latest prestigious Spirits Masters Awards.

The company, which launched its first gin in March, gained gold in the super premium and silver in the micro distillery categories in the awards.

The distillery, founded in 2012 by husband and wife team David and Fiona Boyd-Armstrong, is located on the family estate outside Downpatrick, county Down.

David Boyd-Armstrong says: "Winning these awards so early in the company's development is a marvelous endorsement of the quality and outstanding taste of our gin.

"These awards will be immensely beneficial as we seek to build business in Britain and further afield."

Shortcross Gin is the first small batch, craft spirit to be launched under the Shortcross brand by Rademon Estate Distillery. It is as an aromatic and exceptionally long, smooth gin that redefines what an Irish gin should be.

Created through the use of fresh apples, elderberries and clover distilled with other botanicals including juniper, coriander, orange peel, lemon peel and cassia, it has a classic yet contemporary flavour with a long peppery finish

Mr Boyd-Armstrong adds: "From the moment of making that very first sale, the response has been phenomenal. We have been overwhelmed by the support of everyone."

The name for the gin comes from the Gaelic for Crossgar - 'An Chrois Ghearr' meaning 'the short cross'. Crossgar is the location of the distillery in Northern Ireland.

The name shortcross comes from the shortcross penny coin, which dates back to the 10th century and was one of the most successful English coin designs in history. Shortcross Gin is 46%abv with an RRP of £34.99.