We are delighted to share that Great Bustard Autumnal Gin has received multiple accolades at the Gin Guide Awards, winning Gold, Best Gin UK, Best New Product and Best Brand / Design.
The awards are particularly special because Great Bustard Autumnal Gin was never intended to be a permanent addition to our range. Instead, it was created as a true seasonal release, designed to celebrate the local harvest and the changing landscape surrounding the distillery as autumn arrives across the Wiltshire Downs.
The inspiration came from a simple question. How do you capture the flavour and character of autumn in a bottle?
To answer that, we turned to local ingredients. Fresh cider apple juice from Cranborne Chase Cider provides orchard fruit richness and natural sweetness, whilst quince sourced from the garden of the former Sheriff of Wiltshire brings delicate floral notes and depth. These are combined with warming spices and carefully selected botanicals to create a gin that reflects the colours, aromas and flavours of the season.
The result is a spirit with bright orchard fruit character, gentle warmth and a richness that develops beautifully in a G&T, Martini or simply served over ice. Every bottle contains the equivalent juice of around five apples, creating a distinctive flavour profile that is unmistakably linked to the local harvest.
What makes these awards particularly rewarding is that they recognise far more than flavour alone. Great Bustard Autumnal Gin was awarded for its quality, innovation and presentation, demonstrating that provenance, storytelling and local sourcing still matter in an increasingly crowded spirits market.
As a small independent distillery, it is incredibly encouraging to see a product built around local ingredients, seasonality and a sense of place recognised on a national stage. We are enormously grateful to the Gin Guide Awards judges, to Cranborne Chase Cider, to everyone who supplied ingredients, and to all those who have supported the gin since its release.
Sometimes the best ideas come from simply celebrating what grows around us.
