The Global Spirits Masters Competitions | GSMC

Today we’re shining a spotlight with Casa Obsidiana | @casaobsidianatequila | on winning a Master Medal and scoring between 90-100 points in our Design & Packaging Masters 2023 🏆 Inspired by the past and the elements in an effort to forge the future, Casa Obsidiana is a new trio of ultra-premium tequilas. Co-founded by Jorge and Roberto of the renowned Beckmann Gonzalez family, owners of Tierra de Agaves, and Jean-Charles Boisset of the prominent winemakers Boisset Collection, the two families created Casa Obsidiana under a singular vision to pay tribute to the heritage art of tequila making, with an eye towards modern Mexico through its artful bottles and innovative French wine barrel finishings.

Hardaker’s Fine Spirits | @hardakersfinespirits | on winning a Master Medal with their Hardaker’s Signature Gin expression 🏆 Their journey began with a simple idea to create spirits that are made with the finest natural ingredients using traditional methods. They believe that the true beauty of a spirit lies in its craftsmanship. Their passion for creating truly distinctive spirits is reflected in the quality and taste of each and every one of our products. They select only the finest botanicals and take great pride in crafting unique and exceptional spirits.  his ensures that every bottle is a testament to our commitment to “We are thrilled to have received the Master Medal for our Signature London Dry Gin, given that we only launched this year. It gives great recognition to our dedication to creating a truly premium spirit that stands out when alongside some of the best in the world. We are honored to have received such a prestigious international award.” - Andrew Hardaker, Founder

Denomination | @ denomination_design | is an award-winning drinks design agency with an impressive track record of creating memorable, highly individual drinks brands. Now in its 21st year, Denomination has studios in Australia, the UK, and the US. Clients range from large global players to tiny start-ups, and our work shows impressive scope and diversity in the wine, spirits, cider, beer, seltzer, RTD, and non-alcoholic drinks markets. Denomination has been Climate Neutral Certified since 2020. Congratulations on winning not one but two Master Medals in our previous Design & Packaging Masters 2023 with: 🔸Los Dias Magicos  🔹Gallus Whisky   “I wanted to say thank you to everyone from Denomination who worked on this project. Thank you for your vision, creativity, perseverance, and hard graft to deliver Gallus to the level that you have, and particularly to Rowena Curlewis for agreeing to take on this project in the first place. I am very happy with the final product, both the liquid and the overall design. It is difficult to make a statement in a crowded space, but I believe that is exactly what has been achieved with Gallus.” Neil Bullock, Founder Barossa Distilling Co.

Here’s another Master Medallist from the Gin Masters (Second Tasting) 2023. Introducing Astraea Mist Gin | @aestraeaspirits | which was crafted using the finest organic botanicals nature has to offer. Astraea Spirits transport you to the breathtaking landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. With each spectacular sip, experience the clean, floral, and herbaceous notes that distinguish Astraea from the rest. With refinement and intentionality at every touch, Astraea Spirits are the essence of sophistication. Master Distiller, Danielle Leavell: “To say we are overwhelmed by the results of the Gin Masters Awards 2023 is an absolute understatement. As a Master Distiller and Founder, I pour my heart and soul into the products I create. To be recognized as one of the top brands in the world by the expert judges of the Gin Masters is a literal dream come true. We are still an emerging brand, having only been in the market for 18 months. These awards - one silver, two golds, and one Master will change the trajectory of Astraea. We are so ever grateful our Gins have captured the attention of the Gin Masters. It is so lovely to have our dedication to producing world-class, ultra-premium gins recognized.”

Eden Mill | @edenmill_usa | established itself on the banks of the Eden Estuary in 2012, and became the first distillery in the area to make spirits in over 150 years. The brand's multi-award-winning portfolio of gin and whisky has gone on to put St Andrews back on the map as a hub for craft distilling. The Art of St Andrews 2023 Single Malt Scotch Whisky expression wowed our judges away 💥 Hannah Ingram, Head of Marketing, said: “Jill’s artwork brilliantly captures the beauty of the area surrounding the distillery - flora, fauna, and the silhouette of our brand home's eye-catching ridged roof. Her vibrant and contemporary style created a truly joyful piece of art that has brilliantly come to life on our Art of St Andrews 2023 bottle and carton. It is an honour to win such a prestigious accolade, and a testament to the entire Eden Mill team and all the brilliant suppliers we work with." Jill Calder, Scottish illustrator, said: “I was thrilled to be asked to work in partnership with Eden Mill - a distillery situated so close to where I live. I loved spending time with the head distiller, Scott, and revisiting some of my favorite places in St Andrews and Guardbridge for inspiration, before recreating those expressions through my art.”

Today we are introducing another Master Medallist from our Design & Packaging Masters 2023. Born in Cherrapunji, India, Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin | @cherrapunji.craft.gin | is made from purified rainwater, in the rainiest place on earth. The biodiversity in the region and its weather systems made it the perfect place for a craft spirit to be manufactured, and we saw the opportunity to bring our Eastern values 🏆   This designer gin has been a collaboration between the Raincheck Earth Co. master distiller and a Dutch master distiller. The idea was not to make a London Dry but a Cherrapunji wet gin with local flavors designed for a global palate.

Congratulations are in order for Foxglove Spirits on winning a Master Medal in our Gin Masters (Second Tasting) 2023 with their Maplewood Smoked Gin expression ⚡️ Foxglove Spirits is a 5-year-old Canadian producer of luxury alcohol products developed through innovative strategies, head snap creativity, global expertise, and the world’s finest ingredients. “We were delighted to receive news that our unique Maplewood Smoked Gin has been recognized with a Master Medal at the Global Gin Masters competition. A world’s first, the technique to develop our subtly smoked gin took almost 5 years. Our goal was always for it to be a transportive experience; a reminder that connecting with nature is the source of true luxury. We released our first batch in limited edition through LCBO stores in April 2022 and since then it has taken off with gin lovers as well as mixologists who love the additional depth of flavor it brings to classic and contemporary gin cocktails. The Spirits Business Global Gin Masters is the preeminent competition for all producers so winning this Master Medal means the world to us.” Co-founder, Malcolm Roberts

Massive congratulations to Hernö Gin | @hernogin | on being awarded Taste Master in our Gin Masters 2023 for the fourth time with their Hernö Navy Strength expression 🔥 Herno is the world’s leading and most awarded craft gin producer. Proud pioneers who started the first gin distillery in Sweden back in 2011. It all began with a passion for the juniper-predominant spirit and a dream evolving to gin crafting. A journey that took Hernö Gin’s founder Jon Hillgren to places and gin distilleries all around the world in his thirst for knowledge and search for inspiration. Finally settled in the small village of Dala just outside Härnösand on the High Coast of Sweden. Hernö Gin is crafting the world’s most awarded gins from natural organic botanicals in the hand-hammered copper stills Kierstin, Marit, and Yvonne. With a mindset of crafting, transparency in all parts of the process, and a total focus on quality, Hernö Gin intends to bring premium gin culture to every home. “Being awarded our fourth Taste Master and the second consecutive win for our Navy Strength is flat-out amazing. It coincides with the ten-year anniversary of Hernö Navy Strength Gin. This definitely amplifies the decennary celebration of our strongest flagship gin.” says Jon Hillgren, founder of Hernö Gin

You can find the full results from the Design & Packaging Masters 2023 here: https://lnkd.in/eN_G8dCt. Congratulations to White Peak Distillery | @whitepeakdistillery | on winning a Master Medal. They are based in the Peak District region of England and were founded in 2016 by local husband-and-wife team Max & Claire Vaughan. Lightly-peated single malt whisky is the core spirit and the Distillery has won multiple awards not only for its first whiskies but also for its Distillery visitor experiences and the much-celebrated Wire Works whisky packaging. The Distillery is based in a UNESCO World Heritage site at a former wire works; innovators & makers at the heart of the local community for over 120 years, and exported quality products the world over. The entire Wire Works whisky-making process is carefully controlled on-site from mashing & fermentation through to distillation, maturation, and bottling 💥   “We’re super happy to have won a Master Medal in the Spirits Business Design & Packaging Masters Competition 2023. We put our heart and soul into everything we do and, to add to the awards received for Wire Works whisky itself, it means a lot for the team to add such recognition for the design & packaging.” - Claire Vaughan

Lágrimas del Valle | @altamarbrands | @watermarkddesigncville | wowed our judges away in our previous Design & Packaging Masters 2023. Watermark Design is a boutique branding and package design studio. They hone in on your specific industry challenges to create a unique, high-quality design that outpaces your competition. They believe that great design drives sales through increased shelf presence. Their job is to entice someone to choose your product for the first time, before they have tried it, using clear & impactful branding 🏆 Watermark’s packaging has been awarded in the US and internationally. They have the deep experience of a studio that’s been around for over 16 years, but retain the hunger that grows with every new project. They see their clients as our long-term partners, whether starting early on your new brand or re-envisioning your current look. Their ultimate goal is that your brand be beautifully distinct enough for the world to take notice and to help your business with long-term success and profitability through design.