Gin from the island of Vis triumphs at 2024 World Gin Awards
- by croatiaweek
- in Business
(Photo: Okusi Visa)
Okusi Visa, a small craft gin distillery nestled on the picturesque island of Vis, has emerged victorious at the 2024 World Gin Awards.
The spotlight shines on their Hum 587 Botanical Gin, which clinched the title of Croatia’s Best London Dry Gin, earning a prestigious gold medal.
Adding to their accolades, the distillery also secured a silver medal for their Hum 587 Artemis Gin in the contemporary section.
The duo behind this success story is Gary Ward, an ex-British navy and commercial deep-sea diver, and his wife Hilde Hellebø Ward, a former employee of a commercial TV station in Bergen, Norway.
Gary and Hilde overlooking Komiža (Photo: Okusi Visa)
Their journey began in 2020 when they established Okusi Visa, a distillery committed to crafting handpicked, premium gins that encapsulate the essence of the island. The couple named their brand after the highest point on the island, Mount Hum, standing proudly at 587 meters above sea level.
The meticulous process of distillation takes place in a 300-litre copper still, where well-kept recipes are transformed into the award-winning Hum 587 Botanical Gin.
(Photo: Okusi Visa)
The gin is carefully concocted using a unique blend of 13 Croatian botanicals, including classic ingredients like juniper berries, angelica root, orris root, and coriander. Additional botanicals, handpicked from the slopes of Mount Hum, such as rosemary, sage, and lemon peel, contribute to the distinctive flavour profile.
(Photo: Okusi Visa)
Their Hum 587 Artemis Gin, distilled at a slower pace and featuring 11 delicate Croatian botanicals, further underscores Okusi Visa’s commitment to quality over quantity.
The combination of passion, craftsmanship, and the natural wonders of the island of Vis has undeniably resulted in a winning formula that delights gin enthusiasts worldwide.
