News / Gin
Bristol distillery seals double win at World Gin Awards
A Bristol-based distillery has secured double honours at the World Gin Awards for the second year running.
The Spirit of Bristol, led by Pete Lumber, has continued its award-winning run after its Harbourside Navy Strength Gin (58% ABV) received Gold in the Taste category before being named Best Navy Gin in England as the category’s highest-scoring entry.
The latest recognition for the Avonmouth-based distillery follows its Clifton Royale Gin also being awarded Gold in the Contemporary Gin category at The Gin Guide Awards 2026.
The coveted awards are reserved for the highest-scoring gins in blind tastings, with Gold medals intentionally limited to maintain exclusivity and credibility within the trade.
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Inspired by Bristol’s historic docks, and featuring bottles adorned with the city’s cranes, bridges and balloons, The Spirit of Bristol has built up a strong following across the local hospitality sector, with its products now stocked in more than 100 venues across the region.
Other products in its range also received recognition this year, with Hotwells Spice Gin and Sloe Berry Gin both awarded Silver in the Taste category, while Bemmie Dry Gin received Bronze.
Lumber described the recognition as a “major milestone” for the business.
The Spirit of Bristol, led by Pete Lumber (pictured), has continued its award-winning run after its Harbourside Navy Strength Gin (58% ABV) received Gold in the Taste category at World Gin Awards 2026
He said: “To see Harbourside awarded Gold for Taste before going on to be named Best Navy Gin in England as the highest-scoring gin in the category is a huge moment for us.
“Alongside further recognition for the wider range across multiple major awards, it gives both us and our trade partners real confidence in the quality and consistency of the portfolio.
“We’ve built the business by working closely with venues and retailers, focusing on gins that not only stand out in flavour but also give customers something to connect with. The link to Bristol, through both flavour and story, has been a big part of that.”
Lumber first developed the idea for the business in 2007 after buying a pub almost on “a whim”.
His passion for distilling gin began in 2018 with a small setup in Newbury before returning to his hometown, where he let his creativity and business acumen take it to the next level from its distillery in Avonmouth.
The distillery has pointed much of its success to producing its gins in small batches using traditional distillation methods and sustainably sourced botanicals.
All photos: The Spirit of Bristol
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