It’s lucky number seven for Wenlock Spring as it takes home two coveted awards at the prestigious British Bottlers’ Institute Awards (BBI) that took place in July.
The premium Natural Source water brand took Gold for taste in the Still categoryand achieved Diploma for the packaging of its rPET 500ml bottle. This is the seventh consecutive year that Wenlock Spring has taken top spots, having been recognised every year since 2011.
The BBI’s provide a platform for drinks brands to be recognised on a global stage for the quality of their products, with a panel of industry experts blind tasting submissions, as well as judging innovative packaging. Global beverage, agents and importers entered this year’s competition with the judges commenting on the high standard of products entered, which is growing year-on-year, reflecting consumer taste and demand for better quality drinks.
Wenlock Spring’s unique blend of minerals including calcium and selenium is attributed to the rock Stata near the Wenlock Edge through which the water has naturally filtered. This gives the water its refreshingly clean taste, securing the Gold award from the judges.
With so much focus on packaging currently within the beverage industry, it’s gratifying that Wenlock Spring has been recognised for its innovative 500ml rPET bottle. Made with up to 50% British sourced recycled plastic and being fully recyclable, the bottle is a perfect example of the circular economy where bottles are recycled and remade into new bottles, saving valuable natural resources and generating 74% less carbon emission than making bottles from new PET. The bottle represents a cross section of the rock strata of the Wenlock Edge, the bottle perfectly reflects the brand’s core values – provenance, style and sustainability.
Matthew Orme, Director of Wenlock Spring said: “As one of the most respected awards in the industry, it’s brilliant to be recognised again by the British Bottlers’ Institute, especially as we are celebrating our 30th anniversary this year. Attracting global entrants from around the world, these awards are paramount in driving innovation with the industry. We’re very proud of the taste of our premium spring water and are dedicated to innovating sustainable packaging, starting with committing to including up to 50% recycled plastic in our rPET range. To be recognised in both categories up against such strong competition is a fantastic achievement for the team.”
The winners will be presented their medals and certificates at the annual BBI dinner on Thursday 31 October at One Whitehall Place, London.