The Scottish Gin Awards 2021 finalists have been announced, with 67 producers and 223 gins progressing to the final stage of the anticipated awards night, which this year will be a hybrid virtual and in-person event. To make it to the finals is a huge achievement and all these gin businesses which highlight the quality and diversity of the Scottish gin industry. BERRY GIN DAISY Inspired by ‘Professor’ Jerry Thomas, bartender extraordinaire in the 1880s. Tanqueray Royale Gin, raspberry ripple and lemon lengthened with soda. Crowned with Green Chartreuse. 15 There's also a classic strawberries and cream flavour captured in a gin liqueur and for those with a real sweet tooth, there's candy floss and marshmallow infused Mystical Unicorn Gin Liqueur. Only 60 per cent of entered product makes it through to the finals and only the top three products in each category presented with medals, making the Scottish Gin Awards the most highly sought after of all drink’s competitions.

Four new taste categories have been created in the programme with new awards presented for Best Pink Gin, Best Festive Gin and the Flavoured Gin category has been split with new categories for Citrus and Berry Flavoured. The most popular taste category is still London Dry Gin of the Year with 47 gins in the finals. The Violet Gin Liqueur (18% ABV) takes its inspiration from that famous sweet factory, up the road in New Mills. Best served over lots of ice with whatever mixer you like, it really is a beauty! [buy here] WESTERN INFLUENCE Villa Ascenti Rosa Gin stirred down with Velvet Falernum, red wine reduction, lime juice and Creole Tincture. Served with biscuit crumbles. 14.5 Turn down the oven to 140C/120C fan and bake the meringue on a middle shelf for an hour. Once the pavlova has baked, turn off the oven and let the meringue cool completely in the oven.GOOD CHEER Eminente Reserve rum, Hennessey VS, Grand Marnier shaken with lemon juice and Orgeat for a subtle hint of orange and almonds. Finished with a mulled wine float. 14 Vodka shaken with Kwai-Feh and lychee. Balanced with Rose syrup and freshly pressed lemon juice. 14.5 LYCHE AND ROSE MARTINI Our delicate twist on a lychee martini infused with a delicate character of this aromatic tropical fruit and aroma of rose. AT THE DRIVE-INN Butter washed (DAIRY) Makers Mark 46 stirred down with maple syrup, chocolate bitters and popcorn essence. Served old fashioned style. 15 Whilst the meringue cools, make the raspberry ripple gin coulis by adding the steeped berries and gin liquid to a saucepan. Add the sugar and set over a low heat, stirring gently, until the raspberries begin to break up and the sugar has fully dissolved. Remove from the heat and place the mixture into a food processor and blitz until smooth. Push the raspberry mixture through a sieve and then set aside to cool.

It is particularly impressive given the challenges of the last eighteen months that real resilience, innovation, and creativity has been shown in the competition entries. Meanwhile, add the double cream and vanilla extract to a bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Spoon the whipped vanilla cream over the white chocolate-covered meringue, and then drizzle over the raspberry gin coulis. Top with fresh raspberries to decorate.

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The Scottish Gin Awards is chaired by Adam Hardie, Partner and Head of Food and Drink at accountancy firm, Johnston Carmichael. The 45 judges blind tasted and graded every sample under strict technical conditions. Led by the competition’s technical consultants, sensory management experts Cara Technology, the panel assessed 320 gins entered in the competition, all distilled in Scotland.

CHRISTMAS MARTINI Taking the classic Espresso Martini with added festive cheer. Belvedere Vodka shaken with a double espresso and Kahlua. Finished with notes of vanilla and caramel. 14It is an all- island final as four Hebridean distilleries are in contention for the top award of the night, Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year, sponsored by Contract Bottlers Glasgow Ltd.

Raspberry Ripple Gin Liqueur (18% ABV) takes the classic ice cream and turns it into a delightfully pink gin liqueuer and can even be served over ice cream if you're feeling naughty. [buy here] SAINTS GENEROSITY Hennessey VS with Liquor 43, clementine juice, chestnut and lime for a fruity nutty delight. Garnished with a slice of clementine. 14 MELBA DAIQUIRI Plantation 3 Stars Rum shaken with peach and raspberry. A delicious twist on this Cuban classic. 15 No Name Distillery is the baby sister of Manchester's Faith & Sons Gin; aboutique one-man-band, one copper still, micro-distillery which was set up in 2015 by former Lisbon bartender Filipe Sousa, who came to Manchester to work in the city's bars (Australasia, Dusk Til Pawn, and Panacea). The new collection of Liquorists' small batch liqueurs are designed to add unique twists to your homemade tipples. Offering three gin liqueurs — which have been popular for some time now — the supermarket is also launching a less common rum liqueur, with the spirit rising in popularity this summer. It's the perfect ingredient for tropical punches.To start, put the fresh raspberries (for the coulis) in a bowl, pour over the gin and and leave it to steep in the fridge while you make the meringue. Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan and line a baking tray with baking parchment. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Don Julio Blanco Tequila and pineapple juice shaken with passion fruit syrup, fresh strawberries and basil. PINK MARGARITA Mijenta Blanco Tequila, pink grapefruit liqueur, fresh ruby grapefruit and pressed lime juice. Shaken and served with or without salt. 15.5 Speaking of this year's awards, Adam said: "The quality of gin produced in Scotland continues to be world class. PINK SKY AT NIGHT A refreshing and lightly sparkling number. Grey Goose infused with strawberry and lemongrass, orange bitters, cranberry juice and a dash of lemon. 13.5