The Isle of Wight Distillery, acclaimed for its Mermaid Gin, has been honoured with the prestigious International Bubble Cap Award by the American Distilling Institute (ADI), marking it as the International Distillery of the Year. This significant accolade was presented to co-founder Xavier Baker by ADI President Erik Owens at the 23rd annual ADI Craft Spirits Conference and Expo, which recently concluded in Miami, Florida.
The International Distillery of the Year Award, introduced by the ADI in 2025, extends the scope of its long-standing Bubble Cap Award, which has recognised excellence in distilling for 23 years. This global honour is specifically designed to celebrate distilleries outside the United States that are not only producing world-class spirits but also demonstrating a profound impact on the industry.
Erik Owens, President of the American Distilling Institute, lauded the Isle of Wight Distillery’s journey and achievements. “From humble beginnings on a small island off the coast of England, Isle of Wight Distillery has developed its Mermaid Gin brand to be one of the fastest-growing gins in the world,” Owens stated. He further remarked, “This company exemplifies what can be achieved when exceptional liquids are paired with outstanding bottle design and branding, and rooted in an authentic connection to place.”
Founded in 2014 by Xavier Baker, an experienced brewer, and Conrad Gauntlett, a winemaker, the Isle of Wight Distillery has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable spirits production. The distillery achieved B Corp certification in November 2022, making it the first business on the Isle of Wight and, at the time, the highest-scoring gin distillery in England to attain this status. This certification underscores their commitment to a “triple-bottom-line” philosophy, prioritising people and planet alongside profit.
The company’s dedication to environmental stewardship is evident in its initiatives, which include a pioneering move to entirely sustainable packaging in 2019. The distinctive Mermaid Gin bottle is crafted from 100% natural, plastic-free materials, designed for reuse and recyclability. Furthermore, the distillery actively collaborates with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust on monitoring and restoring vital seagrass meadows in the Solent, the waters surrounding the island. These meadows are crucial ecosystems that provide habitat for marine life and sequester carbon at a rate significantly faster than tropical rainforests, yet the UK has lost over 90% of them in the last century.
Mermaid Gin’s global presence is expanding rapidly, with current global volumes around 40,000 cases and an ambitious target of 20% annual growth. The brand has recently made significant inroads into the demanding US market, securing 3,000 points of distribution across 33 states, partnering with major distributors like Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. This expansion capitalises on a buoyant super-premium gin segment in the US, which saw a 57% growth between 2020 and 2024.
“Craft spirits has always been about people, and Isle of Wight Distillery’s dedication to reducing its environmental impact while uplifting its island community exemplifies the attitude that sets this industry apart,” Erik Owens added.
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Xavier Baker expressed immense pride in receiving the award. “We are truly over the moon and incredibly honoured to be named International Distillery of the Year, it means so much to all of us. From our beginnings on the Isle of Wight, we’ve come a long way, but we’ve always believed that great spirits are about more than what’s in the bottle — they’re about the people, the Island and the friendships we build along the way,” he commented.
He attributed the success to the collective effort: “This award belongs to our fantastic team and to everyone who has supported us on our journey so far. To receive this recognition from the American Distilling Institute is a very special moment for us, particularly as Mermaid Gin travels further from the Island than we ever imagined. We’re immensely proud of where we come from, incredibly excited about where we’re going, and very grateful to everyone who is joining us on the journey.”
The distillery continues its journey towards net-zero, plastic-free operations across its entire supply chain, reflecting a broader trend in the UK craft gin market where sustainability, premiumisation, and unique artisanal products are driving robust growth.
