How two pilots turn their hobby into a lifelong passion

Brina Curum
4 Min Read

What happens when two pilots come together? Fly a plane would normally be the correct answer.. But, not these two young pilots who have decided the only way is Gin…What started as a simple friendship between Tomislav Anadolac and Hrvoje Busic and exciting hobby of two young pilots has developed into a mutual endeavor and lifelong devotion. Their big dream has finally come true through a small batch distillery where everything from distillation and ageing to bottling and sealing is done by their own hands.
Two pilots took their passion for flying combined with passion for the finest spirits inspired two pilots to establish Croatian micro-distillery “The Spirit in the Bottle” and create something truly unique. Old Pilot’s Gin, their exquisite London Dry Gin is distilled with selected, all natural Croatian botanicals such as Juniper, Orange, Lavender, Sage, Angelica and Olive Leaves. Each Bottle is carefully handcrafted and matured using the world’s only recipe for gin made in the skies. Old Pilot Gin has also won a series of awards including;

2021. – Gold Medal at San Francisco World Spirit Competition – London Dry Gin
2021. – The Spirit Business 2021 – Barrel Aged Gin – Gold Medal
2020. – Silver medal at San Francisco World Spirit Competition
American Distilling Institute – Certified Craft Distilled Spirit + Bronze medal + Bronze medal for excellence in Packaging
International Wine and Spirits Competition – Bronze medal
2019
International Wine & Spirits Competition – Best London Dry Gin – TROPHY 2019
International Wine & Spirits Competition – Double Dutch Gin & Tonic – BRONZE Medal
San Francisco World Spirit Competition – London Dry Gin – GOLD Medal
San Francisco World Spirit Competition – Packaging Design Awards – BRONZE Medal
Gin Ur Way – 95/100 score
American Distilling Institute – London Dry Gin – Silver Medal
American Distilling Institute – Certified Craft Distilled Spirit

2018.
Croatian Gin Convention – Champion – Best Croatian Craft Gin 2018
Croatian Gin Convention – Craft Gin – Gold Medal

The Spirit in a Bottle Distillery is focused on the production of the highest quality beverages. Their process, the plants they use and the unique distillation technology provide them with the highest standards of purity and fullness of taste. Introducing Old Pilot’s , a gin that will leave you flying high with happiness literally. Old Pilot’s has also partnered with the 18th anniversary of the prestigious Urban Music Awards to give celebrities, influencers, artists, and media in attendance a taste of the flying in gin. Old Pilot also has acquired the naming rights for the Best Jazz Act 2021 with nominees including;

Esperanza Spalding
Nubya Garcia
Ego Ella May
Poppy Ajudha
Moses Boyd joe
Yazmin Lacey
Tom Misch & Yusef Dayes

The Urban Music Awards takes place on the 14th of February 2022 and voting is currently live via the official UMA site 

Find out more about Old Pilot Gin by logging onto the website here

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