Castle Freke Gin, a new Irish ultra-premium spirit from West Cork, has been awarded a Gold Medal at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). The award comes as the brand makes its U.S. commercial and consumer debut this month, following launch events in New York City in June. The gin was created by Stephen Evans-Freke, who spent a decade developing what he describes as a spirit for the Dry Martini connoisseur. Castle Freke Gin is distilled and bottled in West Cork using a proprietary 50-step distillation process in hand-beaten copper pot stills, organic wheat alcohol, rare botanicals, and citrus from the Pyrenean orchards of Agrumes Schaller.

Gold Medal Recognition The San Francisco competition, conducted by The Tasting Alliance, is known for strict blind judging standards. According to the competition, Gold medals are awarded to products that demonstrate exceptional quality and set a benchmark within their category, showcasing outstanding balance, complexity, and craftsmanship. The medal was awarded following a scheduled second tasting by competition judges, which included spirits that missed the initial tastings and awards in June due to logistical problems.

Positioning and Availability Castle Freke Gin is designed to be enjoyed chilled—either neat with garnishings or with a whisper of vermouth and bitters. The brand is named for historic Castle Freke, Evans-Freke's 300-year-old ancestral estate in West Cork. Spirits authority Julia Nourney observed: "The producer's ambition to make the perfect gin for a Dry Martini are excellently achieved, as long as the Martini is strong, and the vermouth is dry." The gin is priced at $245 per bottle and is available in limited quantities through the Castle Freke Distillery website, with numbered bottles from the first batch shipping in late July. Luxury bars, hotels, and restaurants may purchase directly through Park Street Imports starting also in late July.

Why It Matters

For premium spirits retailers and on-premise operators, Castle Freke's SFWSC Gold Medal provides third-party validation in a category where consumer trust in quality is critical. The ultra-premium positioning ($245/bottle) and limited distribution strategy target high-end cocktail venues and collectors, representing a niche but growing segment in the gin market.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors