The organisers of Scotland's biggest gin event have revealed its line up combining gin tasting, celebrity hosts and top-class entertainment as the Scottish gin distilling sector prepares to celebrate another year of success.

500 guests have already booked for the second annual Scottish Gin Awards ceremony which takes place in seven weeks' time in Glasgow and is on track to be a sell-out success.

The awards will be presented by national broadcaster Kaye Adams alongside radio broadcaster and award-winning comedian, Des Clarke.  They will oversee the presentation of 11 business awards and gold, silver & bronze awards in 6 taste categories, culminating in the top award of the night which will be presented to the Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year.

Entertainment will be provided by 4 Poofs and a Piano who will be bring their unique blend of humour and superb vocals to the stage. This camp house-band are well-known for their ever-presence on the BAFTA award-winning Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. 

Leading figures from the Scottish gin industry are now preparing to hit the red carpet for another glittering celebration.  The formal event will start with drinks from the ultimate Scottish gin bar, which will serve a range of Scottish gins selected from the finalists.  The bar will be supported by a range of tonic producers including Franklin & Sons, who are also sponsoring the London Dry Gin of the Year.

The second year of the competition which is sponsored by Aldi, Vetroelite and Scotland Food and Drink, saw a steep increase in entries from Scottish gin producers across the country, with 46 companies and 80 gins progressing to the final stages. 

Chair of the judging panel, Alex Bruce, Managing Director of Adelphi Distillery commented;

“It is encouraging to see so many producers and distillers continuing to commit to making the gin industry one of Scotland’s most exciting and fastest growing in the food and drink sector.  Winning a Scottish Gin Award is a tremendous honour and one which will undoubtedly bring positive sales and marketing advantage.  I wish all the finalists the best of luck in the second year of this highly regarded competition.”

This year’s judging panel saw 22 gin experts including Master Distillers from some of the UK’s biggest gin brands and the UK’s leading professors in distilling, taste 116 Scottish gins under strict competition conditions.  The tasting was supervised by international sensory management consultancy, Cara Technology.

The second annual Scottish Gin Awards takes place on Thursday 20th September 2018 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Glasgow Central.  The event will again raise funds for Edinburgh based charity It's Good 2 Give which supports young cancer patients and their families in Scotland.

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