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Gin Balena Pink won the Bronze Medal at IWSC 2026, the International Wine & Spirit Competition, with a score of 89 out of 100 in the Contemporary Gin category. An international recognition achieved in its very first year, for a gin born in San Giuliano a Mare, Rimini.
What IWSC Is and Why This Award Matters
Founded in 1969, IWSC is one of the world’s most authoritative competitions for wines and spirits. In the 2026 edition, for spirits alone, more than 4,000 spirits from over 90 countries were entered, assessed by 85 industry experts in 21 categories. Every sample is tasted blind and neat, according to a rigorous, multi-stage protocol — among the judges are names such as Richard Paterson OBE, Ian Burrell and Olivier Ward. It is the judgement of those who live the industry every day.
The Jury's Verdict
The IWSC jury's tasting notes (neat): sweet citrus and floral aromas, a warm body with balanced spice and berries, a dry finish with a hint of salinity.
A gin that changes colour — and rules
Balena Pink is the Italian gin that changes colour, from blue to pink, like the sunsets of the Riviera: a metaphor for transformation and rebirth. A tribute to the whale — the ultimate symbol of change — and to a sea story that begins in San Giuliano a Mare.
The gin that knows when it is time to change. Change Colour. Change Rules.
Discover it at balenapink.com/negozio · 18+