A York gin company and a Michelin-starred North Yorkshire restaurant have joined forces to win a top international award.
York Gin and Andrew Pern’s The Star Inn, Harome collaborated on an Old Tom gin and it has just been awarded a gold medal at the Spirits Business Gin Masters 2019 Competition.
The award puts York Gin Old Tom – only launched in June this year – in the company of top international gin makers including Herno from Sweden and Australia’s Four Pillars. The 150-year-old Hayman’s of London company was awarded a Silver for their Old Tom.
Emma Godivala of York Gin said: “The Star Inn and its superb food has always been a favourite of the York Gin team. We were delighted Andrew agreed to create an authentic herb syrup for our traditional Old Tom gin.”
Andrew Pern of The Star Inn said: “We are so proud of winning this award – a Gold Star you could say. And it’s brilliant to be working with the York Gin gang, a proud Yorkshire brand showcasing local flavours to a worldwide audience.”
Pete McNichol of York Gin added: “It’s been inspiring working with the Star Inn team. They only use top quality ingredients and have huge talent and passion in their kitchen. We’re delighted with the result of our collaboration and really proud of the gold medal.”
About York Gin Old Tom
York Gin Old Tom gin is slightly sweetened with a herb-infused sugar syrup made in the kitchen of one of Yorkshire’s finest restaurants – The Star Inn, Harome.
The syrup was created by Chef Patron, Andrew Pern, who also runs York’s Star Inn The City and Mr P’s Curious Tavern as well as the Star Inn the Harbour, Whitby. York Gin Old Tom is in the bar at them all.
Its key ingredients are foraged from local hedgerows and the Star Inn’s kitchen garden – the White Alba Rose also known as the Dog Rose (the White Rose of Yorkshire), along with Bronze Fennel and Star Anise. Angelica and pink peppercorns (Baie rose de Bourbon) complete the complex syrup.
Old Tom is synonymous with cats – Victorian distillers decorated their bottles with cat motifs and the cat is one of York’s symbols – statues can be spotted on many York buildings.
