Dunnet's Rock Rose gin is top tipple at festival
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ROCK Rose gin was the top tipple at the Highland Food Drink Festival at the weekend.
Claire Murray, who runs the Dunnet Bay Distillers along with her husband Martin, said: "We are absolutely delighted. The judges were impressed with our product and also with our presentation as well."
"This was our first time exhibiting at this festival and it was a really good event. We are really chuffed to win the award."
Representing the local gin company at Saturday's event in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, was brand ambassador Neil Stewart.
The festival is organised by Scottish Provincial Press with Cairngorm Group as main sponsor.
Neil said: "It was a really good event, really positive.
"The crowd that was attending was of a really good standard in terms of their interests and willingness to try new products. It was very busy."
When asked what made Rock Rose stand out from the other drinks exhibitors, Neil, the company's trade account executive, explained: "We are putting that extra effort into the drinks – trying to do a perfect serving in a miniature way."
Visitors to the stand were given a mini gin and tonic, complete with miniature straws, garnished with a bit of orange peel and a sprig of rosemary.
"The little difference was serving them chilled, feeling more like a drink served in a bar," Neil said.
Around eight exhibitors took part in the drinks section including other gin producers, whisky distilleries and breweries.
The award was made by the Cairngorm Group, with company director David Dowling and his partner Sharon Davidson doing the judging.
Dunnet Bay Distillers was set up by the Murrays in 2014 and has gone from strength to strength over the past five years, winning a number of awards.
A year after they started up Rock Rose gin it took the award for the best new business at the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards.
The same year Dunnet Bay Distillers was also featured among the prize-winners at the Great Taste Awards and the Global Gin Masters, while Rock Rose was chosen as the best new launch design at the World Gin Awards.
In 2016 the company won the new product category at the Highlands & Islands Food & Drinks awards, this time for its Holy Grass vodka.
