Two sisters who run a New Quay-based gin company are “over the moon” to have landed a clutch of international awards.

Welsh Sisters is an artisan gin company launched in 2019 by sisters Becky Jones and Tania Kenny.

Their two varieties of gin are both small batch, artisan dry gins distilled in West Wales at In the Welsh Wind Distillery near Cardigan.

The two gins have picked up prizes at the International Wine and Spirits Competition 2020.

They took home a Silver Award for their Morwyn gin and a bronze for The Captain’s Wife.

These latest awards come hot on the heels of their recent wins at the World Gin Awards 2020.

At the World Gin Awards, their Morwyn gin took home the award for Best Contemporary Welsh Gin; and The Captain’s Wife took silver.

“We are completely over the moon with the news of our awards,” said Tania Kenny, director, Welsh Sisters.

The businesswomen spoke of the difficulties they faced due to the Covid lockdown, and how they overcame them.

“Thankfully we were able to reach out to our customers using social media and on our website during lockdown. It has all been a steep learning curve but we have had fantastic support from everyone especially Business Wales and Cywain,” said Becky Jones, director.

The sisters decided to launch the brand after making gin for friends at family at West Wales distillery, In the Welsh Wind.

“We love hearing tales of brave and inspiring Welsh women that went to sea in the 19th century and wanted to tell their stories through this beautiful aromatic drink, so we have carefully chosen botanicals that reflect their lives,” said Tania.

Their shop in Manchester House, New Quay, is famous for being the draper’s shop in Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood. Since lockdown eased, the shop is now open every afternoon for gin sampling.

But from their website, Welsh Sisters also ships out to all over the world, just as their Welsh Sisters did bravely in the 19th century.

They are also passionate about marine wildlife and conservation, particularly as there is a resident pod of dolphins in New Quay. Every effort is made to keep packaging as plastic-free as possible, with bottles sealed using wax, and compostable cups used for tastings instore. Every bottle sold supports the Whale and Dolphin Conservation.