SPIRITS are soaring with the owners of a Longparish distillery “over the moon” after scooping a major international accolade.

Jonathan and Sarah Nelson, the husband-and-wife team behind the River Test Distillery, are celebrating after their flagship product was named Best London Dry Gin in England at The World Gin Awards 2020.

The River Test is internationally renowned for its gin-clear waters and unique flora and fauna, which inspired Jonathan and Sarah to set up the distillery from their Longparish home.

Their award-winning London Dry Gin uses pure, chalk-filtered water drawn from the aquifer which feeds into the river.

They use local botanicals in their recipe which includes handpicked meadowsweet flowers and rosemary, mixed with juniper, angelica, coriander, cassia bark, orange and lemon peel.

Praise from the judges for the River Test Distillery’s gin included “very fruity and soft spice on the nose” and “a very good complexity and well balanced juniper notes”.

Speaking after the win, Sarah said: “To be recognised by such leading authorities in the drinks industry, and so early on in our journey, is incredible. We are over the moon!”

Presented by leading drinks industry publication, Gin Magazine, these awards select, reward and promote the best gins to consumers and trade across the world.

Publisher and Managing Editor of Gin Magazine, Anthony Denny said: “The River Test Distillery’s enthusiasm is unrelentingly infectious and nailing the best English London Dry is an absolutely enormous achievement.

“Their success speaks volumes for the dedication and skill of what is the bedrock of British gin production.”

The River Test London Dry Gin is produced in small batches. To purchase a bottle visit www.rivertestdistillery.co.uk