Australian distilleries were the fourth most awarded at the internationally renowned San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), with Melbourne-based Starward Whisky taking home 13 Double Gold medals, the most from any single distillery in the competition.
The 2024 edition of the SFWSC was held from 5-7 April, with winners announced at the end of the month. Since starting in 2000, the competition has grown to be the largest spirits competition in the world, with over 5000 entries judged in this year’s round.
Most entries receive a medal at the SFWSC, with almost 4000 entries receiving accolades in 2024. The Gold medal is awarded to spirits scoring over 90 points from one or more of the judges, and the Double Gold is only awarded to spirits that score a Gold rating from every judge in the blind tasting.
Australian spirits were a standout for the judges, with 219 medals awarded across 70 Australian distilleries, including 41 Double Gold, 60 Gold, and 98 Silver medals.
Australia was the fourth most awarded country at the 2024 SFWSC, following the United States, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Victorian distillery Starward Whisky received eight Platinum medals this year, only awarded to entries that have achieved Double Gold for three consecutive years.
Starward founder, David Vitale, said that the small Melbourne team could not have believed that this was an option in their wildest dreams.
“To be consistently recognised at this calibre is gobsmacking, quite frankly. I started off with a simple vision; to create a distinctly approachable Australian whisky we can offer the world with pride.
“We promise to continue to push for Australian spirits and showcase our best on the global stage.”
Another prominent brand, New South Wales-based Archie Rose Distilling Co., also picked up a Platinum award for its Bone Dry Gin, along with medals for four other spirits.
Victorian distillery Morris Whisky picked up five Double Gold medals, and two Double Golds were awarded to Billy Stitch Distillery, Callington Mill Distillery, Headlands Distilling Company, Inner Circle, and Wharf St.
The winners of the Best in Class categories and a full list of Platinum medal awarded spirits will be announced later in the year.
