For a second year running, Perthshire-based Master Chocolatier Iain Burnett received a prestigious gold accolade in the International Chocolate Awards.

Burnett was given the accolade for his Caramel with A Twist of Liquorice Velvet Truffle.

In competition with chocolatiers from all over the globe, the new truffle topped the board and made Burnett the only UK chocolatier to win in the truffle and praline category this year.

Burnett’s Highland Chocolatier has just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Its special expertise in making both ‘naked’ and enrobed (coated) chocolates has made the premises one of the area’s leading tourist attractions.

Burnett said of his latest success: “I’m really pleased that my new velvet truffle has been selected. Liquorice is a flavour that sometimes gets a bad press, but I’ve developed a chocolate that uses a gentle hint of liquorice with white chocolate that has been caramelised to complement it. The balance of chocolate and spices is combined to create a complex chocolate that is, above all, delicious!”

The truffles cost £19.95 for a gift box and are available from the Grandtully and St Andrews stores, as well via mail order across the UK and internationally through the website.

The whole Velvet Truffle range has also won Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Overall Product of the Year.

In June, Burnett was celebrating after winning a hat-trick at the British National Competition of the International Chocolate Awards for two of its truffles.