Purity earns double gold at international wine spirits competition (IWSC)

Purity was awarded TWO gold medals at this year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition. The IWSC is recognized as one of the most prestigious competitions in the wine and spirits industry.

The NEW Purity Mediterranean Citrus Spritz as well as Purity Navy Strength Organic Gin, both earned a 95 point score and Gold Medal in their respective categories.

“I am very honored to be awarded two gold medals at this year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition for our new Purity Mediterranean Citrus Spritz and Purity Navy Strength Organic Gin. When you start with an outstanding base spirit, it allows you the opportunity to create innovative, flavorful, complex, and versatile spirits”, says Mathias Tonnesson, Master Blender at Purity.

IWSC judges describe Purity Spritz was “Bright, clean aromas bud in succession on the nose then bloom like a splendid, unkempt Mediterranean garden on the palate. Big, fresh, pink grapefruit and blood orange lead, accompanied by brushes of rose petal. Balanced with a lengthy, vibrant finish.”

The Spritz starts with Purity’s award-winning Signature 34 Edition Organic Vodka which is then enhanced with natural Mediterranean Citrus flavors of Bergamot, Grapefruit, and Orange. With no artificial flavors or sweeteners, the low-calorie Spritz has everything you need to create delicious versatile cocktails and memorable moments.

Mathias further explains, “The secret to making a great spritz is having a fantastic base to start with. It’s like cooking, you can’t create a great meal if you start with a poor cut of meat. Your foundation spirit must be exemplary, fortunately, we already have a perfect base spirit.”

The award-winning organic vodka is unusually flavorful and smooth because it is not made in the usual way. Purity distills the heart of the vodka a whopping 34 times (and 51 times for their Purity Connoisseur 51 Reserve Organic Vodka) to make a spirit that is exceptionally smooth and flavorful. 

Mathias says, “We distill our spirit very, very slowly, many times, in a specially designed copper still. It can be compared to when you slowly cook your food at a low temperature. It brings out the most taste, character, and depth to the spirit and it’s a process that other brands don’t bother with.”

“We want to make it easy for everyone to make a great cocktail at home — with natural ingredients and free of artificial flavors. Just add your favorite bubbles with Purity Spritz for a perfect cocktail, be it Champagne, cava, prosecco - or plain sparkling water. Fill your Copa glass with lots of ice and garnish with a grapefruit wheel and you’ll have the best tasting summer drink,” concludes Tonnesson. 

Purity was also awarded a gold medal for its new Purity Navy Strength Organic Gin which scored 95 points out of 100 in the very competitive gin segment. The judges described Purity Navy Strength as “Well balanced with poise, demonstrating lovely fresh citrus notes which complement the understatedly present juniper. Dry, woody and spicy undertones add further complexity and boldness to deliver an excellent enduring finish.”

This uniquely Nordic gin expresses flavors of organic juniper, Nordic berries, and natural botanicals. The backbone of the gin comes from a higher proof Purity Signature 34 Edition Vodka. At 57.14% alcohol, this Navy Strength Gin has explosive flavor while still maintain the smoothness you expect from Purity. 

What makes a Gin Navy Strength?

Technically, gin with more than 57.14% alcohol is considered Navy Strength. The reason for the high alcohol content is a practical one. Historically, gin and rum were stored in wooden barrels together with gunpowder. If either of the barrels started to leak and soaked into the gunpowder, the alcohol content had to be at least 57.14%. Anything below that and the gunpowder wouldn’t burn. The “proof” of the spirit meant the powder was safe and the gin good enough to be served to the officers.