Winners of the 2023 Tasting Australia Spirit Awards have been selected at the sixth annual spirit awards event on Wednesday 27 September.
A record number of distillers from across Australia entered their products into the coveted awards with 86 distillers submitting a product.
For the second year running, the Best Distiller award went to South Australia’s Fleurieu Distillery, this year for two of their whiskies – Don Quixote and Tapestry.
Fleurieu Distillery was also awarded the Premier’s Spirit Award for its Don Quixote whisky.
The panel of judges tasted more than 280 products to decide the winning bottles.
The 2023 Tasting Australia Spirit Award winners:
*Best Whisky: Don Quixote by Fleurieu Distillery – South Australia
*Best Gin: Triple Juniper Gin Export Strength by Never Never Distilling Co. – South Australia
*Best Vodka: Pluto Vodka by Pluto Spirits – South Australia
*Best Rum: Australian Rum by Brix Distillery – New South Wales
*Best Brandy: St Agnes XO 15YO Brandy by St Agnes Distillery – South Australia
*Best Liqueur: Orsa by Karu Distillery – New South Wales
*Best Vermouth / Bitters / Other: Aperitivo by Ragazzi e Succo – South Australia
*Premier's Spirit Award: Don Quixote by Fleurieu Distillery – South Australia
*Best Distiller: Fleurieu Distillery for Don Quixote and Tapestry – South Australia
*Innovation Award: ‘Siropo’ Amaro by Spirito Santo – South Australia
*Best New Distiller: Pluto Spirits for Pluto Vodka and Pluto Oaked Cane Spirit – South Australia.
For the full list of Tasting Australia Spirit Award winners, visit tastingaustralia.com.au.
Quotes
Attributable to Minister Zoe Bettison
The 2023 Tasting Australia Spirit Awards reaffirms South Australia’s standing as the home of the nation’s best spirits – with 10 of the 12 prestigious awards going to local distillers.
The awards help cement our state’s reputation as a must-visit food and beverage destination, enticing visitors from far and wide to discover not only our world-class wine, but our growing spirit industry.
I look forward to seeing the winners in the spotlight at the Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel festival next year, as visitors come to enjoy our state’s world-class places, produce, and people.
Attributable to Ollie Margan Head Judge and one of Australia’s top bar entrepreneurs
Our panel of 12 judges from across Australia had a tough decision – the spirits industry is one of the most diverse in the world and the entries we received in this year’s Spirit Awards certainly highlighted that.
This year, 249 medals were given out including 43 gold medals, 98 silver medals and 108 bronze medals. It is not an easy feat to receive a medal in competitions like this one, so all the distilleries who placed should be very proud.
