www.lux-review.com Page 43 LUX 2021 Food & Drink Awards 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 has launched 4 unique gins, each with its own story to tell. Woodstock Gin Company Best Artisan Gin Brand 2021 - South Africa Sep21188 Ten minutes from Cape Town’s Central Business District, you’ll find its oldest suburb, Woodstock. Records of Woodstock pre-date 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 streets surrounding the distillery in the names of its 4 gins. Firstly, ‘399 on Albert’ is the address of Woodstock Gin Company’s birthplace, a site of continuous transformation. The gin is inspired by the story of a jewel thief who buried a stolen diamond there. When the thief returned to dig up his diamond, the site had been covered in tarmac and the jewel was lost forever. Then ‘021 on Victoria’ celebrates the story of the nuns of Victoria Road who, despite being surrounded by hardship, symbolised purity and potential. Victoria gin is infused with the local flavours of rooibos and wild honey. Afterwards, ‘142 on Gympie’ celebrates the rule breakers and the hustlers of Woodstock, it’s infused with hemp as a nod to those who used hemp products long before they became fashionable. Lastly, ‘001 on Searle’ is dedicated to the old kiln at the top of Woodstock. It features ginger aromas to celebrate the fire that burnt inside the people that forged the streets of Woodstock. The team at Woodstock Gin Company identifies closely with the streets where the company was born and draws inspiration from their stories to create products with true depth and texture every day. 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. 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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