Tasted by the experts, Sky Wave Signature London Dry Gin and Sky Wave Orange and Madagascan Vanilla Gin are awarded a Great Taste 2-star and 1-star respectively in 2022

Oxfordshire based Sky Wave Gin has been named among the top food and drink producers globally this year, picking up TWO highly prized 2-star and 1-star Great Taste awards for two of its most popular gins.

More than 14,000 products were put through the competition’s rigorous blind judging process; and Sky Wave Signature London Dry Gin was dubbed a “delightful, well crafted gin” and Sky Wave Orange and Madagascan Vanilla Gin described as “very drinkable” at the world’s most coveted food and drink awards. 4,078 products were awarded a Great Taste 1-star – ‘food and drink that delivers fantastic flavour’, 1,237 were awarded a Great Taste 2-star – ‘above and beyond delicious’.

Judges awarded Sky Wave Signature London Dry Gin a 2-Star award after finding it,

 “A genuine balanced aroma of the citrus and botanicals, sitting harmoniously together. Lovely warmth in the mouth, with waves of the smooth citrus coming through, a little sweetness on the finish and a long pleasing residue of flavour that works beautifully as a proper London Dry. Great care has been taken with these ingredients, letting them move playfully around the palate, and allowing all their best elements to come to the fore.” 

Sky Wave Signature London Dry Gin represents the true spirit of adventure with its 13 botanicals spanning the globe from Oxfordshire to Africa. Master Distiller, Andrew Parsons, distils very gently and slowly to ensure its incredibly smooth finish. It was named the World’s Best Contemporary Gin at the World Gin Awards 2020.

Another big hit with the Great Taste judges was Sky Wave Orange and Madagascan Vanilla Gin, which scooped a 1-star award. It was praised for its,

“Clear, pale straw colour. Uplifting and elegant orange blossom (sweet neroli) on the nose. Smooth, soft and silky on the palate with the soft subtlety of vanilla wood accompanied by orange oil. The texture is slightly oily with an elegant viscosity. The gin botanicals are well-judged, delicate and sophisticated. We would very much enjoy this as a sipping gin.”

Sky Wave Orange and Madagascan Vanilla Gin uses only fresh fruit, never artificial essences, flavourings  or colourings, hence its subtlety. The fresh vanilla pods are sourced directly from the growers in Madagascar to give a hint of natural flavour. A dry spirit, at 40% ABV, this is a fruit gin for grown ups.

What is Great Taste?

Recognised as a stamp of excellence and actively sought out by food lovers and retailers alike, Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, values taste above all else. All products in the line-up for judging are blind-tasted: every product is removed from its packaging so it cannot be identified, before entering a robust, layered judging process.

This year, the judging took place over 90 days across two judging locations (Dorset and London) with a panel of more than 500 judges. This year’s line-up saw food and drink products submitted from a staggering 110 different countries from across the world.

Rachel Hicks from Sky Wave Gin comments: “We know how important Great Taste awards are to our customers. Many tell us they look for the iconic black and gold Great Taste logos as a mark of quality so we are thrilled to be adding them to our Signature London Dry and our Orange and Madagascan Vanilla Gin.  This is another great step in the Sky Wave Gin journey which is going from strength to strength – and we are not even four years old yet.”

“Being recognised with a Great Taste 2-star and a 1-star means so much to independent producers like us, as it makes all the hard work and determination worth it! Great Taste is the most recognised accolade for taste and quality in the food and drink world, so it really is a big win!” Rachel concludes.