Colwith Farm Distillery’s ‘Aval Dor Original Vodka’ is the first British vodka ever to win a Platinum Medal at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).
Considered the Oscars of the spirit world, the prestigious annual SFWSC competition has been setting the standard for excellence since 2000 and is the largest spirits judging in the world – receiving thousands of submissions from elite producers globally.
The panel of judges recognised Colwith Farm Distillery’s Aval Dor Original Vodka as the very first from a British producer, in the competitions’ 22-year history, to be awarded the highly coveted Platinum Medal.
In a David versus Goliath situation, Cornwall’s first plough to bottle distillery – has beaten some of the world’s biggest spirit producers, to become Britain’s most decorated vodka brand.
This tremendous accolade is only attainable once a double-gold medal has been awarded for three consecutive years – itself only achievable when all of the international expert judges are in unanimous agreement.
In an unexpected turn of events Colwith Farm Distillery’s founder Steve Dustow flew to San Francisco, at the last minute having been let down by a courier, to personally hand deliver his small batch Aval Dor Original Vodka in time for a late tasting – in true commitment to the competition!
Founder, Steve Dustow, says: “We’re absolutely delighted to be the first and only British vodka to win a Platinum Medal at the world’s most respected and influential spirits contest – it’s a significant milestone for us and one our whole team is immensely proud of.
Back in 2010, when my brother and I dreamt up the idea of opening the region’s first plough to bottle distillery – not for a minute did we think we’d be rubbing shoulders with the finest vodka producers in the world! But it’s incredibly rewarding to be recognised with this achievement and to be representing Cornwall, against the best in the business, on the world’s stage.”
In a double celebration, and to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations – Colwith Farm Distillery is releasing a special limited edition, collectable, Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Aval Dor Vodka made from the exact batch entered in the SFWSC (available while stocks last).
Colwith’s spirits are sustainably made in small batch production – distilled from Cornish potatoes, grown on their fifth-generation family farm in Lanlivery. Unlike most distilleries who buy-in mass produced ethanol, Colwith handcrafts everything from scratch on a single estate. In terms of provenance, authenticity, and quality – it doesn’t get any better.
For further information Colwith Farm Distillery or to purchase the limited-edition Queen’s Platinum Aval Dor Vodka online (RRP £39/70cl), please visit www.colwithfarmdistillery.co.uk.
