Following a slightly sparse entry list in 2017, the 2018 Rye News sloe gin competition was back up to full strength.
In a packed Olde Worlde Wines the three judges, Kyle Tanner, Annabel Ansar and Claire Sutherland bravely tackled 15 sloe gin entries followed by three damson gins and a sloe port. Each entry was marked out of 10, with 10 marks being the highest individual score achieved and 1 the lowest.
In addition to the amateur entries, this year there were several from commercial producers and although one of these scored well (Mothers Ruin) and was clearly liked by the judges, with comments like “very smooth”, “lovely texture” and even “yes please!”, the final winners, by just one point, were Helen and Ron King from Ashburnham, near Battle.
A number of the entries scored highly in the judges’ opinion and were described as “mellifluous”, “velvet”, “delicious bouquet”, “almond on the nose”. The judges were clearly getting into the spirit of the competition and it was noticeable that their comments became ever more extravagant as the tasting progressed. Some gins, however, did not meet with their full approval, with remarks such as “smells medicinal”, “like cough mixture” and even “RIP” in one case.
Overall, though, the entries were of a high standard and demonstrated considerable talent amongst the obviously gin-soaked residents of this corner of East Sussex.
It is hoped that the indomitable judges will have fully recovered by next year when the competition will be even bigger with more commercial as well as amateur entries and, it is rumoured, perhaps even an international flavour.
Thanks must go to our ever-hospitable hosts, Olde Worlde Wines and especially to Dennis Leeds-George who organised it all.
Photos: John Minter and Kenneth Bird