Australian spirits producers had an outstanding showing at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) in London, with top scoring producers including Four Pillars, Mt. Uncle Distillery, Dune Distilling Co., Naught Distilling, Karu Distillery, Seppeltsfield Road Distillers, The Gospel Whiskey, and Worksmith.
The IWSC has been running since 1969, and the 2024 edition brought 100 international judges together to review over 4000 spirits entries. 73 Australian producers entered this year, with over 245 spirits awarded – including 25 Gold medals, as well as two Outstanding Golds.
One of these went to Four Pillars Barrel Aged Bloody Underhill Shiraz Gin, which scored 99 points, the highest scoring gin across the entire competition. Judges described it as having a warm, complex and rich palate of cocoa, licorice and juniper with hints of mint.
Gin was the biggest category this year, with over 50 gold medals awarded – eight of which went to Australian producers.
Four Pillars co-founder and head distiller, Cameron Mackenzie, said that the company always knew this was a special gin, made alongside the team’s friend, winemaker Sarah Crowe from Yarra Yering.
“On the eve of World Gin Day (8 June) we couldn’t be prouder to wave the flag for Australian gin around the world.”
Four Pillars Barrel Aged Bloody Underhill Shiraz Gin is available online at fourpillarsgin.com.au for RRP $175.
Mt. Uncle Distillery’s FNQ Iridium X Agave Cask 10 YO Rum was the second highest scoring Australian spirit, garnering 98 points. It was one of only nine rums to achieve an Outstanding Gold medal.
The judging notes stated that the aroma is a delightful blend of honeyed sweetness and Sauterne complexity, and the palate sings with symphonic notes of balanced rich oak, creamy stewed apple, plump raisins and a full, satisfying, citrus-driven finish.
The limited edition Agave bottle is not currently available, but Mt. Uncle’s Iridium range and other spirits are available online at mtuncle.com.
Victorian rye whiskey distillery, The Gospel Whiskey, also had incredible results – being the highest-scoring Australian whiskey, and second highest rye whiskey across the competition.
The Gospel’s Straight Rye Whiskey scored 96 points, only outscored by the Sazerac 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye at 98 points, which retails for over $2000 in Australia.
Judges described the whiskey as dry and remarkably layered, with well-defined flavours of cognac, green tea, and menthol adding complexity on the palate.
The Gospel’s co-founder, Andrew Fitzgerald, said the company’s mission is to take the distinct taste of Mallee grown rye to the world.
“We've spent years defining The Gospel's unique style of whiskey to craft something distinctly Australian and expressive to the site we source the grain from.
“We're not aiming to taste like other whiskeys or fit in with the crowd – it's unique to us, and I think the judges at the IWSC appreciated its difference.”
In addition to the Gold medal, The Gospel’s Legacy Rye and High Wheat Rye each won a Silver medal at the competition.
The Gospel Straight Rye Whiskey is available online at thegospelwhiskey.com or at select spirits retailers for RRP $95.
Central Coast whisky distillery, Amber Lane, made a first time appearance at IWSC, becoming one of three Australian single-malt whisky producers to receive a gold medal at the 2024 awards. The distillery received a Gold medal for its Liquid Amber whisky, and Silver for Pineau 350, Equinox, and Noble Lane.
Amber Lane Distillery co-owner, Rod Berry, said the distillery was humbled with the latest awards.
“To be recognised as one of just three Australian distilleries to receive a gold medal for its single-malt whisky is truly incredible, particularly since we’re still just six years into our whisky-making journey.
“These awards continue our track record for every single Amber Lane Distillery release since September 2022 receiving national or international gold medals. It’s a phenomenal result and one we’re exceptionally proud of.”
Amber Lane Liquid Amber whiskey is available online at amberlanedistilerry.com.au for RRP $169.
The full list of global spirits scores and medal winners is available at iwsc.net, with Spirits Trophies expected to be announced later in the year.
