Whitby Gin scoops prestigious World Gin Award

The multi-award-winning gin company, which was set up only 10 months ago by couple Luke Pentith and Jessica Slater, was originally made in Pentith's parents' 40sq ft utility room.

With hard work comes great reward, as the Yorkshire gin start-up has since beaten about 50 other UK gin brands to crowned the winner of the Best London Gin country category.

“It feels as though we are dreaming – it's all very surreal,” Pentith said after receiving the prestigious accolade.

“I went to the London awards ceremony more in hope than expectation – I was completely stunned when it was announced that we had won.

“There were over 50 other gins in the frame, including a number of well-known brands, so we are very proud of our achievement.”

Just last summer, the couple gave up their everyday jobs to put their focus into the business, and now produce around 1,200 bottles a month by hand from a barn in Whitby, Yorkshire.

They are now “relishing the opportunity” to set up their own small distillery in the town, which will allow them to scale up production.

Pentith says the new site will enable them to boost production by around 300% and create new products, as well as meeting the “increased demand” of its current range.

He added that the distillery, which will have a small shop on-site, would “complement the growth” of the town's food and drink culture and is hoping to employ up-skill local people beyond the hospitality trade.

Whitby Gin will now go to battle against the top London-style gins across the world including Denmark, Germany, India, Japan and Australia to vie for the world best title, which will be announced at the World Finals in the London on 21 February.