Winners of the 2023 Tasting Australia Spirit Awards have been announced, with a record 86 distillers submitting a product. For the second year running, the Best Distiller award went to South Australia’s Fleurieu Distillery for its Don Quixote and Tapestry whiskies.
At the sixth annual spirit awards, Fleurieu Distillery also won the Premier’s Spirit Award for their Don Quixote whisky. 11 South Australian distillers took home nine of the 11 major awards.
The Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas acknowledged the contributions all entrants have made to make the South Australian industry one of the fastest growing in the nation.
“The Tasting Australia Spirit Awards only continue to grow. It is a fantastic opportunity for our state, with its significant reputation for high quality beverages, to host the best of Australian industry for such a significant competition,” said Malinauskas.
The panel of judges tasted more than 280 products to settle on the winning bottles. Head Judge Ollie Margan led the expert panel through the judging process.
“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,” Margan said.
The 2023 Tasting Australia Spirit Award winners included:
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 their Pluto Vodka and Pluto Oaked Cane Spirit – South Australia
