A small batch craft gin from a self-taught Cornish distiller has been named Best of Class at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Tarquin's The Seadog gin from Southwestern Distillery is made by a former City of London worker, Tarquin Leadbetter, who set up a craft distillery in Southwest England and started by selling bottles to local pubs.
The 57% proof gin is made from violets, orange zest, soft Cornish water and various other botanicals, including coriander seeds, angelica root, liquorice and bitter almond.
The Seadog beat 267 other gins to the title. Southwestern describe their world-conquering spirit as a "contemporary take on a London Dry ... we like to think the result is comparable to stumbling upon a beautiful orange blossom in the middle of a crisp, dry pine forest."
The competition saw over a 30% increase in gin entries this year.
