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Negroni or Gin & Tonic? This Durham distillery is named the best in the country.

Durham Distillery makes award-winning Conniption Gin.
Durham Distillery makes award-winning Conniption Gin.

The craft gin market is exploding in America and Durham Distillery’s Conniption Gin has been named the best in the country, according to a USA Today poll of drink experts and consumers.

USA Today announced the results of its 10 Best competitions Wednesday, with Conniption landing the top spot in craft gin.

In three years, Conniption has effectively swept the podium. In the same competition, it was named the runner-up in 2016 and third place last year. This time it won.

“Being honored as the No. 1 Craft Gin Distillery in the country is a fantastic achievement for us,” said Melissa Katrincic, president and CEO of Durham Distillery, in a news release. “We’re particularly thankful for the support of the local community and the passionate fans of our Conniption gins. As Durham Distillery continues to grow and be recognized beyond North Carolina, our priority is to continue producing spirits the community is proud of and enjoys.”

Beverage experts nominate 20 distilleries for the competition and then consumers vote for weeks to determine the results.

Conniption debuted in 2015 and quickly established itself on the shelves of the Triangle’s booming cocktail scene. Durham Distillery makes an American Dry gin and a considerably boozier Navy Strength.

This summer, the husband and wife company of Melissa and Lee Katrincic started canning cocktails, making a gin and tonic and a vodka and soda.

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