A LOCAL distillery has been awarded more ‘stars’ by this year’s Guild of Fine Food Great Taste judges and been voted as top producer of quality gin.

Based at Ditton Farm at St Owen’s Cross, Gun Dog Gin’s Chuckleberry gin liqueur, made using a locally grown hybrid fruit, has been awarded an outstanding three-stars which is the highest award achievable from the Guild of Fine Food Great Taste judges.

This is on top of last year’s double win for the local company. The Herefordshire brand has also been awarded Great Taste Producer status which is only given to manufacturers which have won Great Taste awards repeatedly, in at least three out of the last five years.

The Guild of Fine Food’s Great Taste awards are the largest and most respected food and drink accreditation scheme. The Great Taste stars are internationally recognised as a reliable stamp of excellence among consumers, retailers, and major food buyers alike.

Their judge’s definition of three-star award is Exquisite. Extraordinarily tasting food and drink. Above and beyond delicious. Only awarded to less than two percent of entrants.

Julie Green, co-owner of Gun Dog Gin Ltd explains what winning even more Great Taste awards means: “We are really excited again to receive three-stars for one of our gin liqueurs – this time for Chuckleberry. We are very proud of what we have achieved.

“Receiving these coveted stars which are recognised all over the world means that our treasured customers and retailers know they are purchasing a truly fabulous product of the highest quality.

“We are so happy to be one of the local producers flying the flag for Herefordshire’s excellent food and drink production.’ Gun Dog Gin liqueurs are available online from gundog-gin.co.uk and from selected farm shops delicatessens.

Gun Dog Gin sources the top-quality fruit used in its artisan, small-batch production from local growers across Herefordshire. No artificial flavours colours or preservatives or fruit syrups, or other derivatives are used in production – just real fruit every time.