Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1004126
78 / the tasting panel / july 2018 UNICORN TEARS GIN LIQUEUR After Firebox launched Unicorn Tears Gin Liqueur in its home- base of London in January 2017, the company's CEO/Managing Director, Kristian Bromley, hopes to bring the brand stateside thanks to the contacts he made at Brand Battle. "We use a free-range unicorn herd and a closely guarded extraction process," Bromley noted cheekily of Unicorn Tears' production. "Real unicorn tears provide the iridescent sparkle and glittery finish to this 80-proof spirit." RELIGION TEQUILA Originally founded as New Zealand's first tequila company (its parent company is Dirty Liquor, LLC), Religion has arrived in the U.S. as it seeks to distinguish itself as a premiere organic brand. Founder Aidan Uttinger is a self-described "tequila prophet" and entrepreneur who says he sees a gap in the industry for genuine, authentic brands with compelling stories. After tasting the spirit, the judges all claimed they were believers. THE OTHER WORTHY COMPETITORS Unicorn Tears Gin liqueur, launched in the U.K. in January 2017, is part of the "Mythical Spirits" range created by the London-based company Firebox. Kristian Bromley is CEO/ Managing Director for Firebox, the parent company of Unicorn Tears Gin Liqueur. Religion, New Zealand's first tequila company, recently made its U.S. debut. Aidan Uttinger is the founder of Religion Tequila. THE OTHER WORTHY COMPETITORS