A SOUTH Cumbria distillery is raising a glass after scooping a top international award.

Shed 1 Distillery was awarded Visitor Attraction of the Year during the World Gin Awards Icons of Gin 2022.

The distillery offers an intimate visitor experience inside a quirky, atmospheric former old calf shed on a working auction mart.

It is also the only place in the county where people can learn how to make their own gin directly with the distillers.

The annual awards, held by Gin Magazine, comprise of entries from gin producers across the globe.

Presenting the awards virtually, Bethany Whymark, editor of Gin Magazine, said: “Shed 1 Distillery launched its experience programme in January 2020, but it was called to a halt just two months later.

“Undeterred the owners started hosting online gin tastings and developed a virtual ‘make your own gin guide’.

“Once able they began hosting social bubble tours, tastings, and afternoon G&Teas with homemade sweet treats, which have gone down a storm with guests. It currently hosts Cumbria’s only ‘make your own gin experience’ and also holds a licence as a wedding venue.

“The adversity in which these achievements were made makes them all the more outstanding.”

The business is owned by Andy and Zoe Arnold-Bennett.

Zoe said: “We’re completely blown away to receive this recognition on a truly global scale for our micro distillery and delighted the judges have seen how much effort we put into providing a first-class visitor experience.

“There are hundreds of gin attractions all over the world as our favourite spirit continues to attract new drinkers and we’re delighted to be doing our bit to spread the gin love!”

In addition to the top accolade for visitor attraction, Shed 1 Gin also claimed a silver award in the ‘Flavoured Gin’ category for its limited edition Festive Bramble Gin Elixir, and a bronze award in the ‘Signature Botanical’ category for its Fancy Frolic gin.

The gins were blind tasted by a judging panel made up of independent spirits experts from seven different countries.

Anita Ujszaszi, awards director of the World Gin Awards, said: “We received an incredible number of entries with around 950 products submitted and the quality has been outstanding across the board. Thank you to all the producers who entered and delighted us with their gins, and congratulations to our World’s Best.”