PREMIUM spirits brand Cotswolds Distillery has secured 10 key listings in Waitrose stores across the South West, including Cirencester.

The news comes in the same week as the Dry Gin won Gold Outstanding at the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2017 – the highest accolade presented at the awards.

The win positions Cotswolds Dry Gin amongst the top gin brands in the world.

It follows a successful World Gin Awards in 2016 when the brand picked up World’s Best London Dry Gin.

Daniel Szor, founder and CEO of The Cotswolds Distillery, said: "What a week for the brand and for the gin.

"We're delighted to be included in Waitrose's new listings and look forward to working with them on bringing our unique product to more consumers.

"The Cotswold brand is a premium offering which matches the Waitrose team's expectations of quality and delivery both on shelf and in the glass.

“We’ve worked hard to reach the highest levels of recognition at the International Wine and Spirit Competition and are thrilled to have achieved Gold Outstanding alongside incredible comments from the judges.”

Waitrose joins other stockists including M&S, Majestic, Oddbins, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.

John Vine, Waitrose Spirits Buyer, said: “Gin is now the most popular spirit we sell, having overtaken whisky earlier this year.

"Gin from local and regional distilleries have become particularly popular for several reasons.

"There’s been a shift towards people sipping the spirit before their meal as an aperitif, so artisan gins, which tend to have been infused with unique flavours, really appeal for this purpose.

"Our customers are also actively looking for local gins in a bid to support smaller suppliers.”

See cotswoldsdistillery.com for more information.