Published in the Hampshire Fare News, Salisbury Journal and Theo Paphitis Sunday Business.
Downton Distillery has strengthened its reputation for quality spirits with two medals at this year’s Great British Food Awards. The awards cover a broad spectrum, including dairy, cheese, meats, artisan drinks, and savoury preserves. Every year, a panel of highly acclaimed chefs, and food critics taste hundreds of products to judge the best.
The Orchard Spirits Range impressed across the board. The Silver winning aged Damson Gin drew attention for its quality and rarity. Only thirty bottles exist. It uses coastal damsons macerated into the distillery’s award-winning Explorer’s Gin. Judges praised the dry profile, strong fruit expression and disciplined control in not adding any sweetness to the spirit, which is commonly done with fruit spirits.
The Bronze medal for the new Eau de Vie de Cidre in the “Other Spirits” celebrates waste produce, the spirit uses surplus cider that is past is sell by date. Judges highlighted the purity of flavour and the direct link to the local landscape.
Founder and distiller Hugh Anderson leads this work. Local sourcing sits at the centre of production. Both glass and fruit waste reduction remains a real target, backed by their refill and reuse ethics. Wiltshire heritage stays visible in each product story and ingredient choice. The distillery measures environmental gains, supporting the Great Bustard Group and rewilding of Juniper, rather than relying on marketing claims.
Industry support continues to grow. Hugh received the “Special Achievement Award” at the Drinks Sustainability Awards earlier this year, whilst “The Drinks Business Awards” has shortlisted the distillery for its ethical and sustainable performance against some of the world’s largest wine producers. Not bad for a small local business. Results will be announced in December.
Downton Distillery produces spirits on the West Wiltshire Downs. The range includes Explorer’s Gin and the Orchard Spirits. Each spirit reflects craft, provenance and sustainability. Customers will find the collection online through the distillery’s shop, at Regent Tailoring in Salisbury or through Museum Wines.
