Inverroche named Leading Distillery Tour in Africa

Over the past decade or so, South Africa has pulled a coup d’etat in the global craft gin industry. The innovative use of indigenous Cape Floral Kingdom botanicals turned a Sunday afternoon drink into a culture of sorts; one that’s shaken, not stirred.

Inverroche remains a leading name in the Fynbos Revolution, the first to infuse gin with coastal fynbos. Today, the brand is celebrated for its characteristic herbaceous, floral, and spicy notes. 

But its gin isn’t the distillery’s singularity. The World Travel Awards named its guided gin tours Africa’s Leading Distillery Tour 2026, marking the third consecutive year the distillery has received the title.

The award recognises Inverroche’s immersive visitor experience. Guests can discover the sights, scents and stories behind the brand’s fynbos-infused spirits while exploring this remarkable coastal region. 

Sights, sounds and scents

From guided distillery tours to creating and bottling their own bespoke gin, visitors get to see firsthand what goes into crafting these botanicals. 

Established in 2011, founder Lorna Scott discovered an alchemy of sorts with the indigenous fynbos surrounding her home. Her sorcery paid off, and Inverroche became the first distillery to use Cape fynbos as a defining botanical in its gin.  

Now nestled in the Stilbaai valley along the Garden Route, Inverroche has grown from its small home base into a pioneering craft distillery.

Commenting on the award, Lorna said, “Winning for a third consecutive year is a wonderful recognition for the team and for what we have built in Stilbaai. 

“It is confirmation that African luxury doesn’t need to look like anywhere else. It can look like this: unhurried, extraordinary, rooted in one of the most remarkable landscapes on earth.”

Where the wild things grow

Frankly, Lorna is being modest; remarkable is an understatement for Stilbaai. The picturesque seaside town is affectionately called the ‘Bay of Sleeping Beauty.’ Legend has it the nearby mountain peak resembles a sleeping woman, and the name stuck.

Fresh sea air and rich alkaline soil make this region fertile ground for fynbos. You can see them bloom in real time at the annual Stilbaai Fynbos Festival, from Thursday, 24 September to Saturday, 3 October. 

The region is also uniquely positioned: Stilbaai sits where the Goukou River estuary meets the warm Indian Ocean. 

The World Travel Awards recognises Inverroche and its roots. Fittingly, it comes as the brand continues its African By Nature journey, celebrating the landscapes, people and botanicals that have shaped its gin since 2011.  

Lorna is excited about the accolade. She added, “People come to Inverroche to experience more than how gin is made. They experience where it comes from: the landscape, the botanicals and the people behind it.”  

More info:

• The Inverroche Distillery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 4pm.
• Bookings are recommended
• Visit the website for further details

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