A CRAFT distiller is celebrating after beating off stiff competition to win two titles at a national drinks awards.

Durham Distillery has won two awards at this year’s Quality Drink Awards for its Durham Gin and Durham Vodka.

The small distillery, based at Langley Park, was founded in 2013 and is one of the UK’s most traditional distilleries, using only high quality ingredients and a 400-litre copper pot called Lily, named after the owner’s daughter.

Distillery founder Jon Chadwick said: “I am massively proud of this achievement.

“We are truly passionate about what we do and believe we produce great products.

“Recognition like this helps to cement our beliefs and these two wins are a big moment for us.

“It is an amazing achievement for the whole team, and helps reiterate that we are indeed doing things right.”

Judges assessed the spirits on the quality of the product itself, but also packaging and branding.

Head distiller Jess Tomlinson added: “I am so excited to have won these two awards last night.

“We hand-craft our vodka and gin in small batches using traditional methods and quality ingredients, and it is such an achievement to have that recognised in this manner.

“I am involved in the whole process from start to finish so the end product really means a lot.”