Ginposium 2017
A one day advanced seminar on gin and gin distilling
Worldwide growth and interest in gin was in focus as industry body The Gin Guild installed its first member from Australia, while hosting its annual London Ginposium.
The event, held at RSA House, attracted more than 150 industry delegates, including from the USA, Japan, Falkland Islands, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Spain, Belgium, Germany and from around the UK.
Watch the 2017 Ginposium highlights now:
For films of previous events and more
See www.theginguild.com
Timings, speakers & details of this Gin event:
RSA HOUSE, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ
Download the presentation resources below:
| From | To | Details | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09.00 | 09.15 | Registration | |
| 09.15 | 09.30 | Opening remarks and the Gin Guild | Martin Riley, Grand Rectifier, The Gin Guild |
| 09.30 | 10.00 | Botanicals and Boffins. Where science meets art What improvements can be made to gin by the technical application of science and the latest research? | Matthew Pauley, Associate Professor, Heriot Watt University |
| 10.00 | 10.20 | Come up and see me some time The benefits of visitor friendly distilleries. | Daniel Szor, Cotswold’s Distillery |
| 10.20 | 10.40 | Medals and marketing The effect of spirit competition wins on marketing a brand. | Tarquin Leadbetter, South-Western Distillery/Tarquin’s Gin |
| 10.40 | 11.15 | Coffee and networking | |
| 11.15 | 11.35 | Barrow-loads of Botanicals The dangers of using too many/conflicting botanicals merely for the sake of numbers. | Joanne Moore, G&J Distillers |
| 11.35 | 12.05 | Tutored gin tasting (Details to be advised) | David T Smith, Spirit Author and Gin Judge, from SummerfruitCup |
| 12.05 | 12.45 | Panel Discussion: Adapting or abused? Does the Gin category need tighter definitions or not? With: Charles Maxwell (Thames Distillers) Tarquin Leadbetter (South-Western Distillery/Tarquin’s Gin) James Hayman (Haymans's Gin) Olivier Ward (Gin Foundry) | Chairman: Ian Buxton, Author of 101 Gins to try before you die |
| 12.45 | 13.05 | First impressions (the winner by a nose was…) The importance of aroma for a gin brand. | Sion Edwards, Distiller at Langley Distillery/Alcohols Ltd |
| 13.05 | 14.00 | Lunch and networking | |
| 14.00 | 14.20 | Selling the stuff!(the winner by a nose was…) Branding & marketing in a promiscuous purchasing environment. | Olivier Ward, Gin Foundry |
| 14.20 | 14.45 | Working Wisely An overview of Safety and Environmental concerns for Distillers. | Michael Clancy, FDT Consulting Engineers |
| 14.45 | 15.15 | Still waters run deep Vapour, Vacuum and pot – and the impact on mouth-feel and aroma. | Sam Carter, Bombay Sapphire David T Smith, Spirit Author |
| 15.15 | 15.50 | Tea and networking | |
| 15.50 | 16.20 | Science and nature The importance for gin distillers of chemical analysis (such as GCMS, HPLC and ICP-MS analysis), to ensure botanical quality control and assurance. Henric Molin is a chemist by education and has dedicated the last 20 years to the science of creating scent and taste components for foodstuffs and foremost beverages – including gin. | Henric Molin, Founder and Owner, Spirit of Hven Backafallsbyn AB |
| 16.20 | 16.50 | Spanish Practices The rise of the gin phenomenon - as seen from Spain, one of the leading markets. | Michael Cruickshank, Xix Bar, Barcelona |
| 16.50 | 17.45 | Gin & Tonic and networking The London Essence Company is inspired by traditions established towards the end of the 19th century, skilfully distilling the essence of fine fruits and botanicals to create elegant, contemporary mixers. The first all-light mixer collection, each delicate drink has been crafted in collaboration with esteemed bartender and gin producer, Nick Strangeway, to enable the flavour of its chosen spirits partner to shine through. | The collection includes: Classic London Tonic; Grapefruit and Rosemary Tonic; Bitter Orange and Elderflower Tonic; and Delicate Ginger Ale. |
Find out more about the Gin Guild:
Gin Specification
The Guild only recognises gin styles produced by distilling ethyl alcohol in stills traditionally used for gin, in the presence of juniper berries and other botanicals – provided that the juniper taste is predominant.
About the Gin Guild
The Guild operates as a limited company, with the board of directors being appointed by the Worshipful Company Of Distillers, who hold the shares, and include brand owners, master distillers, associated industry representatives and those with wide gin industry experience.
The titular head of the Guild is the Grand Rectifier. The four largest distilling companies are represented by Founder Wardens. Other gin distillers are represented by Warden Rectifiers. Individual Guild members are known as Rectifiers.
Gin Guild Membership
Membership is open to all (subject to gin distillers and brand owners meeting the Gin Guild Gin specification).
Applications for membership of the Guild should be addressed to the Gin Guild Director General (see contact details).
Benefits of Gin Guild Membership
Networking & events
A key benefit of Guild membership is the opportunity to network. The Guild has at least two formal functions a year, at which Guild installations take place. Both offer exceptional hospitality and opportunities for key guests to be invited.
The Spring Installation is combined with the Gin Industry Annual Dinner. Our Autumn Gin Guild Installation event is the more formal of our two installations. It is held at The Mansion House, in the heart of the City of London. Members and their guests are also invited to join our parent company, the Worshipful Company of Distillers, at their Annual Banquet, which follows the Guild Installation.
Guild events offer a quality and worthwhile entertaining programme and support to Guild members, alongside participation in other events (including those of our own creation), to a wider audience.
Prestige and Recognition
Join and be an active member in an organisation supported by many of the world’s leading gin brands, their distillers and colleagues, and celebrate and promote excellence in the distillation and promotion of gin.
Showcase
We provide opportunities, especially for smaller members, to have their products made available to a wider and focused market.
Industry Events
The Guild organises and hosts one of the highlights of the year, the annual Ginposium. This is a one-day trade and industry conference, with many cutting edge seminars on gin topics, from production to marketing. Open to trade, industry, distilling students, and others interested in the subject, these events have been a great success. See film footage of previous events on our website.
Awards
The Guild sponsors key gin awards within the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC). These include the London Dry Gin of the Year and the Distilled Contemporary Gin of the Year.
The Gin Guild Website
The Guild website is an active resource, promoting events, lectures and member companies and brands. There is a members only section.
Gin-Note™
The significant growth in the number of distilleries producing gins means that there are now a growing and often confusing number of gin styles and tastes to navigate.
The Gin Guild, in consultation with over sixty brands, launched (copyright and Trade Mark), for use by brands. Gin-Note™ is intended to be a simple flavour indicator of a gin. It is not intended to replace a brands own label but is intended to be a navigational aid. Gin Guild brands listed to date with Gin-Note entries: www.theginguild.com/the-ginopedia
Category Protection
The Guild, working in conjunction with Trading Standards (with whom a Primary Authority partnership exists via Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards), also has a material role in enforcement and protection of the category. It calls out and seeks correction by beverage brands who claim their products are ‘gin’, but which do not comply with the EU/UK regulations which cover spirit production and sale.
The Guild, in connection with the above, by way of assistance and clarification has already published two key guidance notes interpreting the above regulations. These provide information on how to label no and low alcohol products which emulate (but which are not gin), and gin liqueurs. This guidance is known as Approved Guidance and is formally issued by our Primary Authority partnership, and approved by DEFRA.