The winners of the 2024 Tasting Australia Spirit Awards have been announced, amongst a field representing every state and territory for the first time since the program’s inception in 2018. South Australian distilleries came out on top, taking out eight of the 11 major awards this year.
A total of 215 entries were received for this year’s competition, with 21 debut entrants and new Australian Capital Territory submissions among highlights.
Adelaide-based Imperial Measures Distilling secured five major awards – Best Distiller for its Ounce Gin ‘Bold’ and Ounce Whisky, Best Gin for Ounce Gin ‘Bold’, and the Innovation Award, Premier’s Spirit Award and Best Vermouth/Bitters/Other Award for the herbal Auvert Liqueur.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison, said South Australian distilleries had again shown their strength.
“Our state is renowned as a destination where eating and drinking well comes naturally – one where local distillers keep raising the bar,” said Bettison.
“It is exciting to see our state secure eight of the 11 major awards this year and we are proud to see the Tasting Australia Spirit Awards continuing to celebrate the industry and champion its growth.”
The 2024 Tasting Australia Spirit Award winners:
- Best Whisky: Fleurieu Distillery – Country to Coast #5
- Best Gin: Imperial Measures Distilling – Ounce Gin ‘Bold’
- Best Vodka: The Antipodes Gin Co – Antipodes Organic Vodka
- Best Rum: Bundaberg Distilling Company – Bundaberg Rum: Master Distillers’ Collection – Solera
- Best Brandy: St Agnes Distillery – St Agnes XO 40 Year Old Grand Reserve Brandy
- Best Liqueur: Joadja Distillery – Joadja Anise Liqueur
- Best Vermouth / Bitters / Other: Imperial Measures Distilling – Auvert Liqueur
- Premier’s Spirit Award: Imperial Measures Distilling – Auvert Liqueur
- Best Distiller: Imperial Measures Distilling – Ounce Gin ‘Bold’ and Ounce Whisky
- Innovation Award: Imperial Measures Distilling – Auvert Liqueur
- Best New Distiller: Ragazzi e Succo - Ragazzi e Succo Aperitivo and Ragazzi e Succo Amaro
Hospitality entrepreneur Ollie Margan led the 11-person judging panel and said entries in the awards’ seventh edition reflected the breadth and quality of Australian spirits.
“Each year we are so impressed by the products put forward – spirits that honour their origins while also standing proud in any international collection,” Margan said.
“Judges awarded 197 medals, including 40 gold, welcoming back seven trophy award-winners from last year and noting growth in the number of liqueurs submitted. Our congratulations to all the distilleries recognised in this close-fought competition.”
Tasting Australia is sponsored by RAA Travel, and owned and managed by Events South Australia. The full list of medallists is available at tastingaustralia.com.au.
