Food and drink producers from Orkney have been enjoying success across Scotland recently, winning titles and recognition at a series of national events.
Following on from local success at the Taste of Orkney Food & Drink Awards, the autumnal awards haul is the perfect way to head into the busy festive period.
Earlier in the season, the Orkney Brewery claimed the top title at the annual SIBA Independent Scotland Beer Awards, bringing home the Champion Cask gold medal for its Dark Island Reserve, a 10% whisky barrel-aged porter.
The Swannay Brewery also received a gold medal in the event’s Cask Session Pale Ale section for its Island Hopping, a New Zealand-hopped session beer.
Meanwhile, Orkney’s J. Gow Rum celebrated success at the inaugural Scottish Rum Awards held in Glasgow recently. 34 rums from around the country were entered, with the Lamb Holm-based distillery winning gold for its Culverin in the Original Scottish Rum of the Year category. It also claimed bronze in the same category for its Revenge rum.
There was an early Christmas present for the Orkney Gin Company at the Scottish Gin Awards at the end of October. The talented team added to an ever-increasing collection of titles with the gold medal in the Festive Gin of the Year for its Christmas Old Tom. The special edition gin comes with plenty of festive flavours, including dried fruits, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
And finally, the hard work and dedication of a talented young Orcadian maker was acknowledged at the Highlands & Islands Food and Drink Awards at the start of November. Shannon Foubister from Brough Bakes, a small baking and catering business based in Orkney’s east mainland, was highly commended in the Young Ambassador of the Year section.
Kerry Leask, project manager for Orkney Food & Drink, said: “These awards showcase the range of talent we have within the food and drink sector here in Orkney. It can be daunting to go up against entries from across Scotland, such is the quality of food and drink in the country, but these titles prove that Orkney’s makers are up there with the very best.
"Recognition on a national scale is a huge bonus, especially for some of our newer producers like J. Gow Rum and Brough Bakes, but it also offers real encouragement to all our members.”