The luxurious Lanzerac Hotel and Spa hosted the sixth SA Women’s Wine & Spirit Awards. Michelle Grimbeek, the convenor of adjudicators, and her team received the all-female panel consisting of some of South Africa’s finest palates during the first week of October 2021. Craft Link was awarded five (5) Gold Award, including trophies for Ginologist Floral, our Intermediate priced Haywards Cullinan and our inexpensive consumer friendly Haywards Pink Gin.

In accordance with the OIV regulations, only the top one third of total entries in the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards will be eligible for medals, and are calculated according to the judges’ final scores. No bronze medals or merit awards are awarded.

The results were particularly satisfying for Craft Link as it walked away with seven gold and three silver awards which were the most of any other Gin Distillery.

The third Merit Wine and Spirit Challenge took place at the end of September 2021. The jury sat down at the Conference Centre at Klein Joostenberg, Stellenbosch, to adjudicate quality and value entries. The focus of this event is to give the younger generation of wine and spirit consumers a voice. Often wine and spirit panellists are older and not in touch with the preferences of the younger generation.

The current COVID 19 crisis and subsequent ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks has resulted in numerous retail groups and independents to rethink their alcohol free offering by dedicating purpose built space to this new and growing category. Recognising that the increasing demand for low and no-alcohol drinks this category is expected to continue growing beyond the Corona alcohol ban.

With 2020 looking to be a record breaking year in terms of sales, Craft Link invested significantly in advertising and promotions and was in the process of tying up the details for a major World Gin Day event including breaking of a Guinness World Record when the Corona epidemic hit and the lockdown began.

Situated firmly in the heart of old Johannesburg lies Craft Link distillery. Described as one of the most exciting new-comers on the craft gin scene their move from an industrial site in Jet Park to their current location is a story of success built on a small team of true brand believers.

Although few recognise the name Craft Link, most gin enthusiasts know the name Ginologist which in a short time of less than three years have attained the enviable reputation of been the most awarded gin in South Africa.