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Sydney distillery in running for international gin title

A small Western Sydney distillery’s signature creation is in the running to be named the world’s best traditional gin after taking out the Australian title at a prestigious international awards competition.

The family-run Ironbark Distillery in Richmond NSW was awarded the title of Australia’s best traditional gin for its 313 Dry Gin in the World Gin Awards on December 18. The competition is part of the World Drink Awards and features entries from across the globe.

To win the title, Ironbark Distillery shone during a six-month testing program and will now be judged against four international competitors for the world’s best title which will be named on March 30, 2017 at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London.

To be named world’s best traditional gin, Ironbark Distillery will take on competitors from Canada, Germany, the UK and USA. The winner of Best Traditional Gin will then also be in the running for the ultimate prize of being named World’s Best Gin.

Master Alchemist and Ironbark Distillery Director Reg Papps says winning the award as Australia’s Best Traditional Gin is a major coup for the young distillery which he opened with his wife Greta just three years ago.

“We’re excited and a little overwhelmed by the award win and the opportunity to be named both the world’s best traditional gin, and potentially, the world’s best gin,” he said.

“Even to be in consideration for such an accolade is more than we could ever have imagined when we took the plunge to put everything on the line and follow our dream to open the distillery. It just reinforces for us that you should never to be scared to try something new, no matter what stage of life you’re at.

The latest accolade is confirmation that the stellar reputation Ironbark Distillery has built so rapidly is well deserved. In just its first year it was named Australian Gin Distillery of the Year (2015) at the Melbourne International Spirit Awards and in 2016 it collected multiple medals at the renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The distillery produces six products – two gins, two moonshines, a vodka and a chai spirit – with Reg’s creations combining Australian-grown grain with impeccable flavours that are proofed with purified, sterilized water sourced locally.

The spirits are filtered through a carbon filter system built by Reg, made in a specially-designed still and bottled by hand.

Ironbark’s 313 Dry Gin is also in competition at the Chinese Wine and Spirit Awards, the biggest and most prestigious wine and spirits awards across Hong Kong and China. Winners will be decided on February 20.

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