AFTON, Va., April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Silverback Distillery's Strange Monkey Gin became the first Virginia-made gin to win the Double Gold Medal Award for taste at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition hosted its 15th annual competition March 19-22nd in downtown San Francisco. Winners were announced the first week of April. The competition is considered to be the rite of passage for top quality spirits as it has 41 of the world's top professional palates serving as judges. This year, the gin category nearly tripled in entries and only 10 in the world received the Double Gold Medal Award in a blind taste test, including Virginia's Strange Monkey Gin from Silverback Distillery.

Silverback Distillery began distilling Strange Monkey Gin and Beringei Vodka in July 2014. Silverback's Beringei Vodka won a bronze award for packaging, making it the first Virginia-made vodka to win this award since 2006.

Silverback Distillery Spirits were introduced in Georgia this March. The distillery expects to expand into Washington D.C. and the Southeast this summer. For more information on Silverback Distillery and its premium spirits, please contact Madalyn Parr at madalynp@madisonmain.com.

About Silverback Distillery
Silverback Distillery is an Afton-based distillery that produces premium vodka, gin, whiskey and bourbon. Surrounded by mountains and the Rockfish River, Silverback Distillery produces distinct, flavorful spirits using the perfect mix of Virginia grains, pure water and American craftsmanship. Silverback Distillery strives to be an industry leader by utilizing their "green" distilling and production methods to minimize energy usage and environmental impact. For more information, visit www.sbdistillery.com.

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SOURCE Silverback Distillery

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