Chattanooga-based Gate 11 Distillery took home a Double Gold Medal in the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for the second consecutive year.
Gate 11 Dry Gin was one of only two United States-produced gins to be so awarded in consecutive years.
“It is an amazing honor to receive this recognition (again) for our special gin,” said Gate 11 Botanical Distiller and Formulator Wanda Lee in a news release.
“We are extremely proud of the quality and the taste. There is nothing like acknowledgment at this prestigious level.”
Gate 11 Vodka also won a Double Gold Medal in this year’s judging. The vodka was influenced by founder and Master Distiller Bill Lee and his experience developing Shakers American Vodka and Prairie Organic Vodka as a side project while living in Minnesota in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
“Vodka appears to be a simple spirit but there is a definite challenge in producing a vodka that can stand out,” he said in the release.
Gate 11 Rum and Infame Absinthe Blanche each received Bronze Medals in their first year competing in the competition.
Gate 11 Distillery is a family-owned, craft distillery and cocktail bar located within the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Terminal. Gate 11 distills and bottles vodka, gin, rum, whiskey and absinthe in its five hand-built distillation systems.
A panel of 70 international experts judged a record number of more than 5,000 spirits from around the world in a blind tasting at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
A Double Gold Medal is awarded when a spirit receives a unanimous Gold Medal rating by every member of its judging panel.
Gate 11 Distillery operates three interrelated businesses at its flagship location in the Chattanooga Choo Choo. By day, the distillery offers tours and tastings of its unique distillery operations. In the afternoon and evenings, patrons can enjoy craft libations and live music at Gate 11’s cocktail bars.
The distillery is also expanding its distribution to bars, restaurants and retail package stores beyond its current Chattanooga and greater East Tennessee area. Gate 11 has plans to expand distribution to Middle Tennessee this year and eventually hopes to reach a national market, according to the release.
“Winning our first medal last year did a lot to raise the profile of our distillery in the local area,” Lee said. “The results this year will definitely strengthen our story across all of our business functions.”
– Compiled by Barry Courter