The Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of SA has announced the winners of its 2025 Royal Australian Spirit Awards (RASA), with the Central Coast’s Amber Lane Distillery receiving three of the seven major trophies.
Open to distillers from across Australia and New Zealand, RASA recognised the success of the ever-growing craft spirits industry – featuring classes for brandy, gin, rum, vodka, whisky and other spirits. This year marks the competition’s sixth year running, aligned with the 2025 Royal Adelaide Wine Show, which is now in its 148th year.
RASA chief judge, Tim Gniel, said this year’s entries showcased both the strength and diversity of the Australian spirits industry.
“Gin remained the largest category, though for the first time it represented under half of the total entries at 44 per cent,” said Gniel.
“This shift highlights the continued development of the sector, particularly the strong growth of aged spirits such as whisky. The ‘Other’ class also delivered impressive variety and quality, with multiple gold medals awarded to Fruit and Herbal Liqueurs, along with a strong showing of new make style spirits – a category that continues to excite with its innovation and character.”
Amber Lane Distillery’s Equinox Australian Single Malt was the standout for the judging panel, winning the Voice Design Trophy for Champion Spirit of Show, the Bintani Australia Trophy for Champion Whiskey, and the Tarac Technologies Trophy for Champion Small Batch.
The other major awards were dominated by South Australian producers, with Mad Monkey Distillery receiving the Bentley Consulting Trophy for Champion Rum, and Ragazzi e Succo impressing judges with its northern Italian inspired Amaro, taking home the MGA Insurance Trophy for Champion Other Spirit.
Two Cats Distillery’s Maine Coon London Dry Gin was awarded the Champion Gin, and 100-year-old St Agnes Distillery continued its run of success, once again claiming Champion Brandy.
Major trophy winners of the 2025 Royal Australian Spirit Awards included;
- The Voice Design Trophy: Champion Spirit of Show
Amber Lane Distillery Equinox - The Bentley Consulting Trophy Champion Rum: Champion Rum
Mad Monkey Distillery Baked Apple - The MGA Insurance Trophy Champion Other Spirit: Champion Other Spirit
Ragazzi E Succo Aperitivo’s Ragazzi E Succo Amaro - The R.G. (Bob) Hardy Trophy Champion Brandy: Champion Brandy
St Agnes Distillery St Agnes XO 15 - The Bintani Australia Trophy Champion Whiskey: Champion Whisky
Amber Lane Distillery Equinox - The Multi Colour Corporation Trophy Champion Gin: Champion Gin
Two Cats Distillery Maine Coon London Dry Gin - The Tarac Technologies Trophy Champion Small Batch: Champion Small Batch
Amber Lane Distillery Equinox
Full list of medal winners can be found at spiritawards.com.au.
