Spirit of Ilmington’s Apple Brandy has been awarded Gold at the Japan Cider Cup 2026, marking a significant international milestone for the small-batch Cotswolds distillery and underlining growing Japanese appetite for premium British craft spirits.

Spirit of Ilmington, the artisan distillery based in the picturesque North Cotswolds village of Ilmington, is celebrating international success after being awarded a Gold Medal at the Japan Cider Cup 2026, one of Asia’s most respected competitions for cider and apple-based spirits.

The accolade recognises the distillery’s exceptional Apple Brandy, highlighting the quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that have become synonymous with the Spirit of Ilmington name.

∙ A CRAFT SPIRIT WITH COTSWOLDS ROOTS ∙ Spirit of Ilmington’s award-winning Apple Brandy begins with carefully selected cider sourced from some of the very best producers in neighbouring Herefordshire, England’s renowned apple-growing county. Rather than producing their own cider, co-founders William Buckley and Rupert Wyles focus on selecting only the finest base product before distilling it in small batches at their Ilmington distillery.

This meticulous approach allows them to maintain exceptional quality throughout the process, resulting in a distinctive apple brandy that has earned recognition on the international stage.

∙ INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION ∙ The Gold Medal was confirmed by competition organiser Lee Reeve of CiderJapan G.K., placing Spirit of Ilmington alongside some of the world’s finest apple spirit producers.

The award also marks an exciting milestone for the Cotswolds distillery as it looks towards expanding into the Japanese market, where appreciation for provenance, craftsmanship, and authenticity closely aligns with the values at the heart of the business.

The team is now developing a dedicated strategy for Japan, including a carefully curated selection of products tailored to Japanese tastes.

∙ A PROUD MOMENT FOR THE DISTILLERY ∙ Speaking about the award, co-founder William Buckley said:

“Winning Gold at the Japan Cider Cup is genuinely humbling. We source our cider from the very best producers in Herefordshire and distil it here in Ilmington, and to have that process recognised by one of Asia’s most respected competitions is extraordinary. Japan has long understood the value of things made slowly and with care, and we hope this is the beginning of a lasting relationship between Spirit of Ilmington and Japanese consumers.”

∙ DISCOVER SPIRIT OF ILMINGTON ∙ While this latest award shines a spotlight on the distillery internationally, Spirit of Ilmington remains proudly rooted in the Cotswolds, producing small-batch spirits that celebrate traditional craftsmanship and exceptional ingredients.

Their award-winning Apple Brandy is available to purchase directly from the distillery, with enquiries for trade supply and international distribution also welcomed.

∙ SHOP FOR SPIRIT OF ILMINGTON HERE ∙