Cairngorms drinks firms toast success
An Aviemore-based brewery which hit the headlines with a beer named in honour of a jibe at local MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander is toasting yet more success.
The Cairngorm Brewery scooped one of the hotly contested honours at the Highlands and Islands Food and Drinks Awards, walking away from the 10th annual ceremony with the best drink title for its range of 12 bottled beers.
The firm’s managing director Sam Faircliff said: "We are delighted to have received this award for our range of bottled beers. We feel that the award recognises our use of iconic species on our branding which is very much celebrating what makes the Cairngorms National Park such a special area including the wildcat, golden eagle, ptarmigan and Capercaillie.
"We would also like to congratulate Lerwick Brewery for their ‘highly commended’ in the best drink award category. It is well deserved and we are delighted to bottle their ‘60° NORTH’ here in Aviemore for them."
The judges were impressed with the Cairngorm Brewery’s submission and beers.
They said: "This is a well-established company which is very involved with the Cairngorm community. The range of beers submitted demonstrated the distinct differences in the taste of each beer – and the expertise which is required to produce such varied products.
"The judges were very impressed with the products from taste and packaging to marketing and export, and noted the media interest generated by the Ginger Rodent beer. The panel agreed that Cairngorm Brewery is making a significant name for itself and is a deserved winner of the award."
Harriet Harman, Labour’s deputy leader, dubbed Mr Alexander the ‘Ginger Rodent’ in an exchange in the Commons but later apologised for the jibe after being widely criticised.
Mr Alexander was delighted to pose at the brewery when Ginger Rodent was officially launch in Aviemore as the brewery’s 11th beer.
Meanwhile Dalwhinnie Distillery picked up the best marketing initiative award for their tour and tastings package which offer something a little different to rivals.
A range of Classic Single Malts are paired with specially selected luxury chocolates by Grandtully-based award-winning Iain Burnett, Highland Chocolatier, for those taking part on the tour and the distillery has also matched up six classic malts and six chocolates which are on sale over the counter.
The judges commented: "This is a great example of successful development utilising the often overlooked expertise that resides within a company rather than immediately turning to outside suppliers.
"The strategy has been built on known values represented by the brand, and increased visitor numbers have translated into diversified income, increased sales and importantly increased brand loyalty."
Mr Ewan Mackintosh, home brand manager for Dalwhinnie Distillery, said after picking up the honour: "It’s fantastic for the distillery to be recognised in this way. It takes a lot of organisation to provide such a high quality visitor experience to more than 30,000 people every year."
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More than 300 industry representatives were in attendance to see which of the 41 businesses would scoop the 14 awards up for grabs at the ceremony held at the Kingsmills Hotel and compered by funny man Fred MacAulay.
Gordon and MacPhail was title sponsor for a second year and Mr Stephen Rankin, the company’s director of UK sales and chair of the awards’ judging panel, said: "We’re delighted to be involved in the awards again this year. I’ve been hugely impressed by the standard of the entries. Their quality and diversity acts as a showcase for the Highlands and Islands – a region rightly renowned for the quality of its produce."
For more information about the awards and winners visit www.hifoodanddrinkawards.co.uk