A DRINK made by a gin-making business, devastated by fire earlier this year, has won a top award at one of the industry's international and most prestigious competitions.

Masons Yorkshire Gin, which is based in Bedale in North Yorkshire, took home a Gold Outstanding medal in this year's International Wine and Spirits Competition for their unique flavour of gin.

The Yorkshire firm was one of just two English Gin companies that managed to achieve the coveted award.

Masons Yorkshire Gin, which suffered a major fire at its former distillery in April, relying on distilleries across the country to remain in business, was recognised at the awards for their Tea Edition gin.

The drink was first introduced to supermarkets and shops in 2015, after founders and owners Karl and Cathy Mason, decided to create a "drier" version of their Masons Original gin with similar ingredients and added tea.

Mr Mason said: “After a truly testing year it’s fantastic to see that our Tea Edition is still loved by so many, and the award has come at a great time."

As well as their 'Tea Edition', the gin makers celebrated a Silver medal for their Lavender and Peppered Pear Edition and Bronze for the original.

At the International Wine and Spirits Competition, just eight other gins from across the world won Gold medals for their drinks, with successful entrants from Australia, Scotland and Sweden.

York-based, York Gin and its Old Tom Edition, were named the other award winner, representing England and winning another Gold medal for Yorkshire.

Mrs Mason added: “It’s so fantastic to see fellow Yorkshire gin brands doing so well, so a huge congratulations to our friends at York Gin.”

Harry Cook, head distiller and co-director at York Gin, congratulated the Masons for their work and celebrated their own achievements.

He said: “This fantastic award couldn’t come at a more appropriate time – just in time for Yorkshire Day.

"We’ve loved working with local Yorkshire chefs from the Star Inn.

"The locally-foraged herbs and the White Yorkshire Rose give our Old Tom a true taste of God’s Own County.

“And hats off to Masons.

"They’ve been trailblazers for Yorkshire gin and their Tea Edition is a worthy winner of the Outstanding Gold."