Champion Win at the Grocer Awards!

Independent Welsh rum brand Barti is celebrating a major national win after its Sea Buckthorn Fizz RTD was crowned a winner at The Grocer New Product Awards 2026, competing against some of the biggest names in the drinks industry.

The Pembrokeshire-born brand was named Category Champion in the Alcoholic Drinks section at The Grocer New Product Awards 2026, held on Friday 16 October, beating competition from international drinks giants including Smirnoff, Cointreau, Carling and Damm.

The achievement puts the independent Welsh business in the spotlight after beating multiple new products created this year by international giants like Smirnoff and Damn.  

Barti & Sea Buckthorn Fizz is part of Barti’s ready-to-drink cocktail range, which also includes Barti & Apple and Barti Ginger & Lemon Iced Tea and launched in the Spring of this year.

The latest win adds to an impressive year for the Sea Buckthorn Fizz, which has already collected five accolades at the World Drinks Awards 2026.

Founded by Welsh entrepreneur Jonathan Williams, Barti was born on the Pembrokeshire coast and is known for its unusual use of wild, hand-picked Welsh laver seaweed, an ingredient that runs throughout its drinks range.

Attending the awards with MD Fran Barnikel, Jonathan Williams, founder of Barti, said:

"To see a small drinks brand from Pembrokeshire going up against some of the biggest names in the industry and coming away with an award is pretty special. The Grocer is a prestigious and well respected magazine in the food and drink industry, a win like this is huge.

"We've always believed that being a small, independent brand gives us the freedom to do things differently, from the ingredients we use to the flavours we create.

"Sea Buckthorn Fizz is a great example of that. It's something a little unexpected, and seeing it recognised on a national stage alongside brands like Smirnoff and Cointreau is a huge moment for us.

"We're incredibly proud to be flying the flag for Pembrokeshire and showing what Welsh drinks businesses can achieve."

The Grocer New Product Awards celebrate innovation across the UK's food and drink industry, recognising products that stand out for their quality, originality and consumer appeal.

Sea buckthorn is a plant which produces a tangy citrus berry, often found growing on the coast. The Grocer judges say in an increasingly competitive RTD category it’s getting tougher for brands to dream up flavours bold enough to cut through, but Barti have done just that.