The Royal Agriculture Society of Western Australia (RASWA) celebrated top Australian distillers last week at the 2025 Perth Royal Distilled Spirits Awards, with a record field of entries and a new line-up of champions awarded at Claremont Showground.
Now in its seventh year, the competition continues to grow at an impressive pace, with the 2025 Awards attracting 201 entries from 43 exhibitors across five states. Twenty-one independent judges assessed products across nine categories, including the newly introduced Ready to Drink (RTD) category.
This year’s judging panel was led by Bill Lark, founder of Lark Distillery and founding member of the Australian Distillers Association, and considered a driving force behind the revival of the national whisky industry.
RASWA CEO, Robyn Sermon, said the future of Australian spirits is incredibly bright, and Western Australia is at the forefront.
“The growth of this year’s Perth Royal Distilled Spirits Awards is a testament to the innovation of Australia’s distilling industry,” said Sermon.
“We are seeing remarkable collaboration in Western Australia, with distillers working closely with local farmers to create exceptional grain-to-glass products. The increase in entries, the return of so many of our highly trained judges, and the introduction of the Ready to Drink category all speak to a sector that is rapidly evolving while maintaining world-class standards.”
This year, 11 champion trophies, 30 gold medals, 74 silver medals and 59 bronze medals were awarded, based on standards for appearance, nose, palate, balance and finish.
Swan Valley’s Old Young’s, reigning Champion Distillery from 2024, retained its crown, and also secured Champion Vodka for its Smoked Vodka.
Old Young’s founder and owner, James Young, said it was phenomenal to be acknowledged amongst a bunch of high-achieving peers.
“It’s a massive honour. I’m really proud of the team, proud of the people who rock up each day to make great booze,” said Young.
“Distilling in Western Australia has so much potential. We’re on the doorstep of Asia. We have access to incredible produce, whether that be barley or corn, the wheat, the grapes, the botanicals.
“Distillers do a phenomenal job of showcasing that, and so Western Australia always punches above its weight. This is the very start of a great industry here,” he said.
St Agnes Distillery, based in South Australia’s Riverland with a century of distilling heritage, was awarded both Champion Spirit and Champion Brandy for its St Agnes XO 15, alongside four gold medals.
Fifth-generation distiller, Richard Angove, said the Champion Spirit trophy was a proud milestone in what has already been a landmark year for the Renmark-based distillery.
“To see our XO 15YO recognised not just as the best brandy, but the best spirit overall in Perth, is incredibly rewarding,” said Angove.
“It is fantastic to see spirits from across our range recognised. It shows the depth of what we’re creating here in the Riverland, and it’s a wonderful moment as we celebrate our 100th season.”
Best New Exhibitor went to Flying Foam, located in Jolimont, which impressed judges with gold medals for its Hesperia Pure Vodka and Hesperia Botanical Gin, plus one silver and two bronze.
The full list of champion trophies included;
- Champion Alternative Spirit – Little Stiller Distillery, Coffee Vodka (Mandurah)
- Champion Brandy – St Agnes Distillery, XO 15 (Riverland)
- Champion Gin – Variations Distillery, Premium Gin (Ravenswood)
- Champion Liqueur – Sin Gin Distillery, Sloe Gin 2023 (Henley Brook)
- Champion RTD – Matso’s Broome and Sunshine Coast, Vodka Lemon Lime Crush (Palmyra)
- Champion Rum – Urban Jungle Spirits Co, White Rum (Jolimont)
- Champion Vodka – Old Young’s, Smoked Vodka (Swan Valley)
- Champion Whiskey – Woodlands Distillery, Single Malt Single Cask (Porongurup)
