Lao Gin wins top contemporary gin trophy at 2026 IWSC

Lao Gin, made in a small Vientiane distillery and launched in late 2023, won the Trophy for Best Contemporary Gin at the 2026 International Wine & Spirit Competition in London. The win marks the first time a spirit from Laos has taken the IWSC accolade and could help open international markets for the brand later this year.

Why it matters: - Lao Gin’s IWSC trophy gives Laos a first-ever win in the competition’s spirits awards. - The result puts a young Lao craft distillery on the global gin map after competing against established international brands. - The award could support Lao Gin’s planned expansion beyond Laos later this year.

What happened: - The Lao Distilling Company won the Trophy for Best Contemporary Gin at the 2026 International Wine & Spirit Competition in London. - Lao Gin was launched in late 2023 and entered the IWSC for the first time this year. - The gin beat gold medal winners in a blind-tasting head-to-head to take the trophy. - The IWSC result makes Lao Gin the first spirit from Laos to receive this accolade.

The details: - Lao Gin is made from jasmine rice and distilled in small 60L batches in Vientiane, Laos. - The bottle uses a minimalist matte-black design with chrome lettering and a circular window that represents the moon over the Mekong River as shown in the Lao flag. - The recipe combines classic gin botanicals with mandarin and pomelo peel. - Fresh local botanicals include lemongrass, ginger, pandan and makrut lime. - The distillery uses maceration and vapour infusion to preserve the aromatics of the fresh ingredients. - Lao Gin carries an ABV of 43%. - Earlier this year, Lao Gin earned a Gold Outstanding medal with 98 points, which advanced it to the trophy round. - Lao Gin also won a 2025 Monde Selection Gold award. - The judges described the spirit as having a vibrant nose of lemongrass, toasted wheat, bright citrus and fresh basil. - The palate was judged silky and creamy, with zesty notes and a long smooth finish. - Lao Gin is currently available only in Laos. - The Lao Distilling Company says it plans to bring Lao Gin to international markets later this year. - The company was founded in 2022 and describes itself as Laos’ first professional craft gin distillery. - Andrew Mullins, British co-founder and master distiller, said the goal was to reflect Lao culture and prove the country can produce a world-class spirit.

Between the lines: - The award is as much a branding breakthrough as a quality win for a small producer in an overlooked spirits market. - Lao Gin’s design, local botanicals and rice base position the brand as distinctly Lao rather than a generic London Dry-style gin. - The blind-tasting format matters because it reduces the advantage of legacy branding and rewards the spirit itself.

What’s next: - Lao Distilling Company expects to begin international sales later this year. - The company’s next challenge is turning the IWSC spotlight into distribution, visibility and repeat demand outside Laos.

The bottom line: - Lao Gin turned a debut IWSC appearance into a global win, giving Laos a new credential in premium craft spirits. - More information