York Gin geeks hit top marks in spirits exam

York Gin’s distillery team have scored top marks in their summer spirits exams.

Five of the team got Merits and five were awarded the highest Distinction award in the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 exam.

The team attended a three-day course with York-based Wine School of Excellence.

The exam at the end of the course consisted of 50 questions about how spirits are made and marketed as well as their taste.

It also demanded knowledge about cocktails and the hospitality industry.

A Merit is given to 70% or more and a Distinction goes to marks of 85% plus.

One of York Gin’s founders Emma Godivala said: ‘We make some of the world’s best gins. Now we officially know what we’re talking about too!

‘The course was certainly challenging - on one of the mornings we’d tried eight different spirits by 11 o'clock!

‘We’re so proud of the whole team for getting such a brilliant set of results.’

The WSET is the world’s top spirits educator.

Teacher Gillian Tinney of the Wine School of Excellence tweeted: ‘Great group and great results.’