Page 10 www.lux-review.com LUXlife Food & Drink Awards 2022 Sep22048 Ten minutes from Cape Town’s Central Business District, you’ll find its oldest suburb, Woodstock. Records of Woodstock predate the arrival of the first Dutch settlers in the 1600s. The area, originally inhabited by nomadic farmers, has seen many changes over the years. That even includes its name. The town was known as Papendorp back when its main purpose was farming. When the railway arrived in the 19th century it was named New Brighton for a short time and was a popular seaside resort. Residents eventually settled on the name Woodstock in 1867. During the late 19th century, the town became industrialised and found itself with a rapidly growing working-class population. From an industrial area with a hard reputation, Woodstock has evolved into one of the city’s coolest, most vibrant neighbourhoods It’s from Woodstock’s colourful history and working-class roots that the Woodstock Gin Company draws inspiration for its products. It pays homage to the illustrious precinct surrounding the distillery.. Firstly, “ORIGINAL” is a true gem of a gin with a style similar to London Dry. Taste is characterised by juniper flavours, with hints of wild rosemary, rose geranium, buchu and citrus notes to deliver a complex and balanced taste. Then ‘TANGERINE AND FIERY GINGER” is an easy to drink spirit that blends tangerine flavours with notes of juniper and ginger root to provide a refreshingly zesty finish. Lastly, BRAMBLEBERRY AND LOTUS FLOWER” is the unconventional member in our line-up and delivers a fruity and exotic taste with balanced hints of blackcurrant, lavender and fennel for an overall fragrant finish. Using what nature gave them is exactly what the distillers at the Woodstock Gin Company are doing. Taking inspiration from the history of Woodstock and locally sourced ingredients, the company offers 3 unique gins, each with its own distinctive personality. Woodstock Gin Company Artisan Gin Brand of the Year 2022 - South Africa The company produces its premium South African craft gin with the aim of fulfilling the consumer need for high quality, handcrafted local gin. Brand Home Curator, Jaques Wessels, tells us, “Consumer satisfaction is at the core of our business. It underpins everything we do, from seed to sip.” Unsurprisingly, Woodstock Gin Company has gained something of a cult following. The brand differentiates itself from the competition with its unique flavours and brand positioning. Established in 2014 the company numbers amongst the longest established makers of local craft gin. Having established a network of staff that combine many disciplines, the team at Woodstock Gin Company share a common passion for and knowledge of the product. Each team member brings a key element to the final product that is critical to delivering an attractive consumer proposition. During the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa was one of the only countries to ban alcohol in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus. From March 2020 to February 2021, the country endured three separate bans. During this time the Woodstock Gin Company saw their trading opportunities slashed by 60%. Its local growth objectives and global expansion plans were put on hold. Moreover and more recently, the local energy crisis as stymied business growth due to ongoing rolling power outages – all in all, Woodstock Gin Company has navigated a plethora of significant challenges that have curtailed growth expectations in the last couple of years. As life, and trading, returns to normal the company is looking to further exploit its innovations pipeline, grow its local distribution network and explore opportunities on the worldwide stage. Contact: Jaques Wessels Company: Woodstock Gin Company Web Address: www.woodstockginco.co.za
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