BRIGHTON Gin celebrated its third birthday with a visit from Mayor Mo Marsh as sales soar by a whopping 38 per cent year on year.

Councillor Marsh popped in to lend a hand and toast the success story at the end of a year which has seen the small batch, super-premium distillery pick up numerous awards.

It was founded at the end of 2014 by five gin-loving Brightonians and it was voted the UK’s best gin in the 2017 People’s Drinks Awards.

The 12-strong team at Brighton Gin’s distillery in Portslade has been working round the clock to fulfill orders of stocking filler 50ml minis, perfectly present-sized half bottles, and classic 700ml bottles.

Kathy Caton, MD, distiller and well-known broadcaster, said: “We’re just about keeping up with the demand for orders which have brilliantly far exceeded our expectations this year.

“It’s been quite a journey from selling 100 bottles in our first week this time three years ago to almost 1,000 bottles this week alone, and having Brighton Gin rock, bags, notebooks now available through our new website shop.

“Mo’s efforts were hugely welcome and we’d also like to say a massive thanks to all the Brightonians who have supported us over the past three years.”

Brighton Gin is made from 100 per cent organic grain spirit, juniper, fresh orange and lime peel, locally-grown coriander seed, and milk thistle.

Each bottle is filled, labelled and wax sealed by hand, the distinctive blue/green colour being that of Brighton’s famous seafront railings.

Brighton Gin has won many awards in its short life.

These include the gold medal at the 2016 Spirits Business Gin Masters and two silver medals at the 2015 International Wine and Spirit Competition.

It also won the gold for packaging at the 2017 International Wine and Spirits Competition, along with the overall White Spirits packaging trophy, the silver award for best London Dry Gin, and the bronze for best Gin and Tonic.

It is the only gin served in both the British Airways i360 tower on Brighton’s seafront and the Brighton Dome concert hall.

It can be found in London in such celebrated establishments as The Holborn Dining Room, the Corinthia Hotel and the Kensington as well as the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland and the Atlas in Singapore.

Retail stockists include Harvey Nichols, Fortnum & Mason, Master of Malt, selected Marks & Spencer stores, and fine Brighton and Hove independents such as Quaff, Seven Cellars and Twenty One Wines.