Wednesday, February 28 was this year’s sloe – and other hedgerow fruits – gin competition. It has been running now for nine years and chief judge, prize cup safekeeper and distiller himself is Dennis Leeds-George. The venue? Our LocAle pub of the year winner the Waterworks.
Dave Roder chose the four judges for the event. He said the criteria for this important task included availability (of course) and ability to get home safely afterwards. But I think what he meant to say was “palate, nose, and passion for gin” perhaps? Anyway, a meticulously fair process of judging was in place. Brown paper wrapping of each participant bottle to ensure anonymity. Random numbering and order of tasting. Just as an aside, David, this may have resulted in complete confusion by tasters and myself on what was being judged. Hence why I came fourth in the plum category? Key to success for this lively event is David’s ability to wash shot glasses quickly after each round. As he stated to Rye News: “We are a beer place, not a gin palace…I am washing up as fast as I can.”
This year’s entrants included seven sloe gins, and five “alternative” fruit cocktails – damsen, plum, and a bright yellow specimen bottle we think included lemons.
The sloe gin tasting was first. Each contestant received a score out of 10, and various notes on colour, smell and of course taste. Analysis of points scored showed a very close completion this year.
The winners of this section with comments were the following:
First place: Craig and Crissy, with an average 8.5 /10. Reactions from the judges were: “Smooth, lovely colour, warming afterglow taste and very easy to drink”.
Second place went to Carol, and third place to Dennis Leeds-George himself.
For the next round, the judges had to guess the fruit they were drinking and there was a much higher variation in scores and comments. The winning concoction was a gorgeous red damsen gin made by Isabel Ryan. Judges described it as “floral honey, pretty colour, great aroma and a good all rounder.” The least favourite in this category was the limocello -described as “herbal, Russian like, ammunition quality, weird and what the (expletive) is it?” I was told by two judges afterwards that their perspective of “potent furniture polish” would have been changed dramatically, if only they had been informed it was a lemon gin and not a plum. But there you go.
I did participate this year. My own plum gin, I thought, was a lovely mahogany brown. And mostly clear. And quite good after a hearty meal with cheese perhaps. The judges thought less of it. I tried to steal the cup from the clutches of Isabel’s hands but Dennis firmly ensured the right person won. I promise to try again.
Expect a huge turnout for 2025- the competition’s tenth anniversary. I have a lot of practicing to do until then.
Image Credits: Abigail Cooper-Hansen .
Many congratulations to Isabel Ryan for winning the competition.
The labels on the bottles of Harvey’s Sloe Gin in the photographs were designed by my husband Paddy who was delighted to see that they were used by Rye News in the write up afterwards. However the gin IN the bottles was made by us both in 1993. Whilst it tasted great then it was taken to the Waterworks with a clearly marked warning regarding its age!