Kangaroo Island Spirits is celebrating a great achievement after it was awarded a gold medal for its signature Old Tom Gin at the SIP International Spirits Competition held in California recently.

Australia’s first dedicated gin distillery when it began operations near Kingscote a decade ago, KIS was selected a winner from a range of gins from around the world.

The distillery’s Wild Gin also won a silver medal in the flavour/infused category.

The SIP Awards are the only international spirits competition using consumers as judges and it is highly respected for its unbiased assessment.

The KIS Whisky Barrel Aged Gin also won a rare double gold medal at the Melbourne International Spirits Competition – the only gin in a crowded international field to be awarded the honour.  The unique gin is enhanced by ageing in selected Australian whisky barrels to create a creamy, buttery finish.

The company’s Old Tom Gin and Wild Gin took out individual gold medals while KIS was also named as the Best Australian Gin Distillery by the Melbourne International Spirits Competition judges. Last month the business was also a recipient of the Kangaroo Island Food, Wine and Tourism Business Development Award.

Company founders Jon and Sarah Lark said while their hearts were planted in Kangaroo Island, they were proud to be counted among winners on a world scale.

“All in all, we are very proud that such a little distillery on Kangaroo Island has been able to achieve such big things internationally,” Jon said.

“As passionate Australian craft distillers and committed food and wine ambassadors for Brand Kangaroo Island, we are delighted to celebrate these recent wins and our product’s success.

“We like to think that Old Tom represents the unique attributes of the place it stems from and reflects the personalities of Kangaroo Islanders - wild, fun, sensitive, rural, ecological, old, new, caring, special, true to their history and roots and above all, great value.

Read More at source: The Islander Online