There were more than 4000 entries from around the world in this year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), with Australia taking home some of the top awards.
For the third time, Four Pillars was named Gin Producer of the Year, which was a first for the competition. Four Pillars took home top honours in 2019 and 2020.
Australia’s Kangaroo Island Spirits and Sweden’s Herno Gin were the other two finalists.
The competition is the longest-running and largest spirits competition, and gin is the largest category.
Co-founder and distiller Cameron Mackenzie was on hand to accept the award, saying even though the goal from Four Pillar’s launch in 2013 had been to create a world-class gin, winning three times was “mind blowing”.
“I kind of knew we had a chance when two of our gins scored 98 points (out of 100) but kept it on the lowdown until last week when I dusted off the kilt!” Mackenzie said.
Four Pillars’ Bloody Underhill Vineyard Shiraz Gin 2022 and Single Barrel S36 Gin were both awarded 98 Points at the 2023 IWSC.
“It’s a massive thrill for our team back at home and for the Australian spirits industry overall, and even sweeter that Four Pillars celebrates 10 years of making gin this December,” Mackenzie said.
“Cheers also goes to our friends at Kangaroo Island and Herno who have also been consistently shortlisted and awarded.
“I can’t wait to get home to share the spoils with all our mates in Healesville and frankly right across Australia all summer.”
Before Mackenzie heads home, he and and senior distiller Sarah Prowse will be inducted into London’s prestigious Gin Guild.
In the vodka category, Top Shelf International’s (TSI) Grainshaker Australian Vodka was crowned Vodka Producer of the Year, only the second time an Australian brand has topped the category.
The Melbourne based distillery only launched in 2020 and outshone more than 200 producers from around the world.
TSI CEO Trent Fraser said the award was acknowledgment of the company’s commitment to excellence.
“This really is the gold medal for the global spirits industry, and we couldn’t be prouder. The win is a testament to our entire team’s hard work, passion, and relentless pursuit of perfection,” said Fraser.
“Grainshaker was born out of desire to restore some flavour and fun to an otherwise boring Vodka market. Rather than be another eastern bloc lookalike, we chose to use Australian grains to make our vodka, as they are packed with character.
“We want to be part of the cultural fabric and win our home market. We’ve got a loyal and strong customer base here in Australia, but this win will help us expand into international markets like Asia and the USA who will also appreciate our vodka, not to mention help put Australia on the map as a global spirits powerhouse,” he said.
And looking to match Four Pillars performance over the years, Curatif took home the RTD Producer Trophy of the year for the second year running.
Australia’s wine trophy tally
To top of a milestone year, West Australian winery Cherubino was recognised with two trophies – 2023 White Wine Producer and 2023 Outstanding Wine Producer – and 16 medals. Four of the medals were gold (all of them for their Chardonnays), seven silver and five bronze, resulting in Cherubino being one of this year’s leaders in the overall medal count.
Owned by Larry and Edwina Cherubino, they started as negotiants in 2005 to now owning their own winery and vineyard holdings in Margaret River, Pemberton, and Great Southern in Western Australia.
For two decades, the Cherubinos rejuvenated land that was degraded by the rapid expansion of the wine industry in the region in the 1990s.
The judges said, “Farmers at heart, their strong focus has always been on the health of the soil. Therefore, they have been following organic and biodynamic practices: mulching, use of organic and biodynamic certified fertilisers, use of natural predators to combat insect pests and many others.”
The judges said this year’s result reflects, “their utmost commitment to growing the healthiest and the best quality grapes. They have spent two decades rejuvenating their vineyards, focusing on the health of the soil, and applying organic and biodynamic practices.
“From vineyard to glass, they work hard to achieve the highest quality of their wines, and they put their heart and soul into every step of the way.”
If Four Pillars was the shining Australian spirits star, then Margaret River was the equivalent for its wines. It was the most awarded wine region in the competition, with four trophies given to red wines from the region. They were:
- Clairault Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Clairault Streicker Wines;
Judges: “Restrained aromas of fresh blackberries, with hints of opulent black truffle. The palate is slick and supple, with polished, silky tannins and layers of graphite, ocean spray and forest floor. This is magnificent: assured and age-worthy, with a clear pedigree.”; - Passel Estate Lot 71 Reserve Syrah 2018, Passel Estate;
Judges: “An elegant, balanced wine with perfumed aromas of crushed herbs and red fruits. The palate has crisp bramble notes with hints of tar, truffle, and spice that are layered and complex. A well-crafted wine with masterful precision of flavours.”; - Evans & Tate Redbrook Estate Cabernet Merlot 2020 - Fogarty Wine Group;
Judges: “A wine of pedigree with a palate that is beautifully balanced with notes of dark fruits, red berries, pencil shavings, and herbs. Beads of refreshing acidity run through to the powerful finish, demonstrating the skill with which it has been crafted. A sophisticated and age-worthy example.”; and - Robert Oatley The Pennant Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, A. G. Oatley Wines;
Judges: “Alluringly delicious aromas of black fruits, coffee and clove spice with a dense and generous palate of savoury notes and peppercorns backed with vibrant and fine-grained supple tannins, fresh acidity, and a long and persistent finish. Full of life.”
The Eden Valley in South Australia also got a look in with Leo Buring Mature Release Riesling 2017. The judges awarded 96 points to this Treasury Wine Estates’ drop, and said, “ Enchantingly ripe on the nose with evolved aromas of ripe lemon, freshly struck match, tropical fruit and Oriental spice. The palate is gorgeously layered with masterful lingering flavours of juicy mango, succulent kiwi fruit and perky peach. Truly exquisite.”
Australian Vintage’s Tempus Two Lighten Up Pinot Noir 2022 was awarded Lighter Alcohol Trophy of the year, scoring 96 points. Judges said, “An excellent food wine that is bright with red Pinot fruit. Black cherry and stewed fruit notes on the palate with liquorice tannins and a good texture and density. Very light considering the ABV, this a great example of low ABV Pinot Noir.”
