06/05/2026
Mainline Spirits’ Bullet Gin Crowned Best Contemporary Gin in England at the World Gin Awards
Taunton distillery celebrates national success with Japanese-inspired gin featuring cherry blossom tea and yuzu
Mainline Spirit Co. has been awarded Best Contemporary Gin in England at the prestigious World Gin Awards for its acclaimed Bullet Gin.
Produced in small batches in Taunton, Somerset, Bullet Gin stood out amongst entries from across the country with its distinctive flavour profile combining cherry blossom tea and yuzu citrus.
The award marks another major milestone for the independent railway-themed distillery, which has built a reputation for producing innovative spirits while competing against some of the biggest names in the industry.
Richard Hudson, Master Distiller at Mainline Spirits, said:
“We’re incredibly proud to see Bullet Gin recognised as Best Contemporary Gin in England at the World Gin Awards.
From the outset, we wanted to create something genuinely distinctive — balancing delicate floral notes from cherry blossom tea with the bright citrus character of yuzu. It was never designed to follow trends or play it safe.
As a small independent distillery producing only around a hundred bottles at a time, to receive recognition like this on a national stage is huge for us. It shows that quality, innovation and attention to detail can compete with anyone.”
Bullet Gin was developed over several months, with extensive testing to refine the balance between floral and citrus elements while maintaining a smooth, versatile gin suitable for both classic serves and contemporary cocktails.
The award continues a run of national and international recognition for Mainline Spirits, whose products have previously secured honours at competitions including the Gin Masters, The Gin Guide Awards, Taste of the West and the London Spirits Competition.
Based at Obridge Farm in Taunton, Mainline Spirits produces all of its spirits on-site using its own distillation equipment, with a strong emphasis on authenticity, transparency and small-batch production.
Bullet Gin is available directly from Mainline Spirits, selected stockists, and served at venues across Somerset including The Waggon.
