As Australia's gin boom continues, led by smaller distilleries, a new national competition and Sydney gin show has been announced.
Champion Tassie distiller Bill Lark and wine awards leader Judith Kennedy will jointly manage the inaugural Australian Gin Awards and associated Meet the Makers events at the Sydney Gin Palooza.
The Sydney Gin Palooza events will take place from 8-9 March 2019 at harbourside Manjit’s at the King Street Wharf, and will feature trade and public tastings and master classes, plus a pop-up retail gin shop for the public.
Kenedy has also launched a Pozible crowdfunding campaign, Sydney Gin Palooza, to raise funds for venue costs and marking outlay.
Organisers said they identified a gap in the distilling industry for a premium quality, truly national gin awards, in a bid to shine a light on the excellence of Australian gin production.
Kennedy is the awards CEO, and she has also now founded the Australian Gin Distillers Association Inc as the umbrella organisation for these current gin events, and plans on offering the membership marketing and sales opportunities beyond these awards across Australia.
In recognition of the brand design, bottles and labels created by gin makers, an adjunct to the awards will be the Best Gin Bottle Trophy judged by an expert team of designers and retailers, with an opportunity for members of the public to cast their vote.
Judging will take place in Sydney in February 2019, and distillers can register their interest here.
