From Colonia del Sacramento to the world: Uruguayan gin recognized as best gin in international competition

full text Sacramento Colonyone winery Artisanal craftsmanship puts Uruguay on top of the spirits world: No. 34 Ginis a small amount of distilled premium gin, produced with a dedication that borders on alchemy, and has just been Recognized The best gin in the world 2024 American Spirits Rating Competitionheld in San Francisco.

With 95 points out of 100 and a gold medal, the gin has not only won plaudits from experts but is now also attracting the attention of the world’s most demanding markets.

The San Francisco competition is no small challenge. Gins from all over the world take part. The jury, composed of experts from different fields, evaluates not only the taste but also the overall appeal of the product. Sur 34 Gin, with its distinctive character Citric acid Thanks to its meticulous preparation process, it won top honors, surpassing internationally renowned competitors.

This award joins other important recognitions the brand has received in 2024, including London Spirits Competition According to the Gin Guide, the gin is ranked among the top 12 modern gins in the world. Marcelo López, co-founder of Sur 34 Gin, along with Ángel Ghiazza, expressed his pride in these achievements and stressed the importance of this recognition not only for the brand but also for Uruguay.

This gin is the result of the vision of Uruguayan tech entrepreneur Marcelo López and Argentinian food engineer Ángel Ghiazza. Although this statement sounds poetic, it is accurate to say that fate brought them together: López lived in Colonia and started distilling gin as a hobby; Ghiazza moved to Colon and, in addition to his work, he was looking for a place to distill gin at the same time.

It was at a barbecue where a friend of a friend told them each other’s story and the rest happened, as the goal of creating a craft gin that breaks the mold and rivals the big international brands was the foundation of the duo.

“My experience has always been in the technical field,” Lopez says. “But a few years ago, I felt the need to explore something new, something that more directly involves the senses. So I started learning distillation, first by myself, then by traveling to places like the Netherlands, where we later brought the stills we use today.”

The process took time. It took them nearly two years and more than 100 tests to perfect the recipe for Sur 34 Gin. “We wanted to break free from the known,” Lopez says, so they chose a citrus gin that highlights Creole citrus.

What started as a project between two passionate entrepreneurs has become Tourist attractionsThe Sur 34 Gin distillery is located in front of the iconic bullring. Sacramento ColonyOpen to the public, guided tours are available where visitors can learn about the distilling process, enjoy tastings, and in some cases, even make their own gin.

“We want people who visit to not only taste the quality gin, but also understand the effort and passion we put into each bottle,” says Lopez. This approach makes Sur 34 Gin a must-visit for visitors looking for an authentic and unique experience in Cologne.

Sur 34 Gin’s commitment to quality is reflected in every stage of the process. Using natural botanicals, ultra-refined alcohol, and state-of-the-art stills imported from the Netherlands, the team behind Sur 34 Gin creates a pure, smooth distillate that rivals the best in the world.

Sur 34 Gin was recently recognised as the best gin in the world and is now ready to expand into new international markets. American Spirits Rating Competition It opens them up to the United States, a key market for any high-quality distillate.