A gin produced by Suffolk brewer and distiller Adnams has won a top honour at this year’s International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).

The company’s Copper House Distilled Gin has been awarded the IWSC Gin Trophy, less than three years since Adnams first launched its its own distillery alongside its brewing operation in Southwold.

Copper House Distilled Gin, which also received a Gold Outstanding medal, was described by the judges as “a creamy, sweetly-spiced satisfying gin that is inviting and engaging.

“It’s ample, bold and complex with well-balanced notes of cardamom, nutmeg and bark – a beautifully crafted example.”

Adnams also won five other medals in the competition – Gold for Spirit of Broadside, Silver for First Rate Gin, Absinthe Verte and Absinthe Rouge, and Bronze for Copper House Barley Vodka.

Jonathan Adnams, chairman of Adnams, said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised with such a prestigious award at this international competition.

“It is only three years since we built the Copper House Distillery in the heart of the Adnams brewery and we have worked extremely hard to create world-class products for our customers.

“These awards, in particular the coveted Gin Trophy, really mark the success we have achieved in such a short period of time. We take huge pride in the fact that our small-batch spirits are being successfully judged on a global stage.”

He added: “With over 140 years of brewing expertise, we have great confidence in the use of raw materials to achieve the distinctive flavours of our award-winning spirits and liqueurs.

“The Adnams distillery tours are proving hugely popular and are a great way for visitors to learn more about the history and techniques of distilling as well as seeing how a small batch distillery can be integrated with a brewery.

“And, of course, there’s the added bonus of one of the best views in Southwold, of the lighthouse and out to sea.”

Anna Grant, head of sales and marketing for IWSC Group, the events company behind the competition, said: “We at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, are delighted with Adnams’ Copper House Distillery’s success in the 2013 Competition.

“With entries up 20% into the Gin category, making this a record year for gin, the competition was fiercer than ever for the coveted Gin Trophy.

“The win is a great tribute to local, handcrafted spirits and to Adnams for their innovative approach to distilling.”

The International Wine and Spirit Competition was founded in 1969 and is widely regarded as the premier contest of its kind in the world.

All entries are first blind tasted, with the top products then sent for detailed chemical and microbiological analysis. Results of this analysis can lead to marks being deducted, or even to outright rejection, before the final awards are decided on a points basis.

Adnams’ Copper House Gin is distilled from East Anglian malted barley and features classic notes of juniper alongside sweet orange and hibiscus flowers.

In December this year, Adnams will launch two whiskies which have been maturing in oak casks within the brewery cellars since 2010.