A DORCHESTER based gin business has won a coveted prize at the 2020 World Gin Awards.

Fordington Gin was awarded a silver medal after facing stiff competition from more than 600 other gins.

The prestigious awards ceremony took place at Glaziers Hall in London and invited entrants from around the globe. Prizes were awarded to the top three gins from each country, for a number of internationally recognised gin styles.

Ros Nelmes received silver for Fordington Gin in the Compound Gin taste category. This category recognises gins that achieve their principal flavours by infusion.

More than 100 guests attended the annual event, including an expert judging panel. The panel was made up from some of the leading names in the alcoholic drinks industry, as well as top retail buyers, gin experts, bloggers and international journalists.

Fordington Gin founder, Ros left behind a 20-year career as a chiropractor to pursue her passion and turn her hobby into a full-time business. Since its inception in 2014, Fordington Gin has gone from strength to strength and is now stocked in more than 70 independent retailers across the county, including many bars and restaurants. The classic gin, alongside limited-edition distillations, has earned a fantastic reputation, becoming the drink of choice for many gin enthusiasts.

Ros was delighted to learn of the award win. “To receive this accolade is a tremendous honour, especially given the quality of the other gins that we were competing against. As a small distillery receiving recognition like this provides a big boost to everyone in my team, who work hard to spread the word about Fordington Gin. It was lovely to receive glowing feedback from the judges, who commented on the distinct flavours and ingredients I use."

Despite growing success, Fordington Gin is still produced in small batches in Ros’s Dorchester home. Great care and attention are paid to ensure each artisan bottle is produce to a high quality.

Looking forward, 2020 is set to be an exciting year for this Dorset business, with lots of exciting plans in the pipeline.

Ros said: “We have some exciting plans for the future, including the launch of Doris, our very own Fordington Gin branded classic car, which we plan to take to the events and festivals that we are attending this summer. We’re looking forward to meeting more of our customers and introducing even more people to Fordington Gin.”