Winners of the 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards have been announced, recognising distilling excellence across Australia, and this year, the world. South Australia’s Prohibition Liquor Co took out the title of Champion Australian Distiller, as well as the Champion Australian Gin trophy, for its Juniperus Gin.
After celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, the Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirits Awards (ASDA) rebranded as the International Spirits Awards for 2025, opening up entries to international distilleries for the first time.
Source: Melbourne Royal
After an intensive assessment across three days at Melbourne Showgrounds by some of Australia’s most respected spirits experts, 103 gold, 372 silver and 281 bronze medals were awarded from 830 entries.
The Awards Presentation on 10 July 2025 saw 20 Best Category Awards and four Champion Trophies presented at a cocktail presentation held at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
Melbourne Royal food and beverage awards senior manager, Kirrily Waldhorn, said winning at the Australian International Spirits Awards is considered a hallmark of quality.
“It assures consumers and trade that a spirit has been rigorously evaluated by an internationally esteemed judging panel, representing the very best our country has to offer,” said Waldhorn.
“Winning a Melbourne Royal trophy or medal is wonderful recognition and reward for the expertise, passion and commitment devoted to distilling excellence. The opportunity to display the Melbourne Royal seal of excellence medal on product, packaging and marketing can contribute to an uplift in sales, brand equity and commercial growth.”
The full list of winners from the 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards included:
- Champion Australian Distiller: Prohibition Liquor Co, South Australia
- Champion Australian Gin: Juniperus Gin - Prohibition Liquor Co, South Australia
- Champion Victorian Gin: NEO New World Dry Gin - Reed & Co Distillery, Victoria
- Champion Victorian Distiller: Top Shelf International, Victoria
- Best Design: Triple Juniper Gin - Never Never Distilling Co, South Australia
- Best Ready to Serve Cocktail or Pre-Mix or Spritz: Yuzu Chu-Hai - Reed & Co Distillery, Victoria
- Best Bitter: Amaro e Agave, Bitter Liqueur - Ragazzi e Succo Aperitivos, South Australia
- Best Alternative Spirit: Williams Pear Schnapps - Snowgum Distillery, Victoria
- Best Liqueur: Auvert Herbal Liqueur - Imperial Measures Distilling, South Australia
- Best Tequila or Agave Spirit: Mezcal Artesenal Joven - Amigos Aotearoa, Auckland, New Zealand
- Best Cane Spirit: Virgin Cane Spirit - Burdekin Rum, Queensland
- Raymond B 'Spike' Dessert III Trophy for Best Rum: Husk Rare Blend - Husk Rum, New South Wales
- Best Brandy: St Agnes XO - St Agnes Distillery, South Australia
- Best Flavoured Vodka: The Gwendoline Vodka - Moontide Distillery, Western Australia
- Best Unflavoured Vodka: Original Vodka - Bunker Distillery, New South Wales
- Best Other Gin (not LD, NW or Navy): Sawmill Gin - Brandy Barrel Gin - Mid North Distilling Co, South Australia
- Best Fruit or Wine / Grape Gin: Ginache Gin - Never Never Distilling Co, South Australia
- Best Navy Gin: Epoch Strength Navy Gin - Jones and Smith Distillery, New South Wales
- Best New World / Contemporary Gin: NEO New World Dry Gin - Reed & Co Distillery, Victoria
- Best London Dry Gin: Juniperus Gin - Prohibition Liquor Co, South Australia
- Best Blended Malt Whisky: Country to Coast 6 by Black Gate Distillery & Fleurieu Distillery - Fleurieu Distillery, South Australia
- Best Grain Whisky: Rye Malt Whisky - Archie Rose Distilling Co, New South Wales
- Best International Single Malt Whisky: Levenside Special Reserve Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Coles Liquor, Victoria
- Best Australian Single Malt Whisky: Single Malt Whisky - Small Batch Reserve Series - Chardonnay Barrel - Backwoods Distilling Co, Victoria
