Entries for Tasting Australia Spirit Awards open today

The sixth annual Tasting Australia Spirit Awards are now open, calling on distillers from around Australia to submit their entries.

Distillers can submit their products to any of the 11 award categories, including two new categories for 2023: Best New Distiller and the Premier's Spirit Award (formerly the Premier’s Gin Award). Gold medal winners will be integrated into events and drinks programming during the Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel festival in 2024.

Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said the Tasting Australia Spirit Awards is an opportunity to showcase South Australia to the nation.

“After a hugely successful Tasting Australia festival this year it is exciting that we can continue the momentum with the Spirit Awards,” Minister Bettison said.

“Last year’s awards attracted 140 entries from South Australian distillers – a true reflection of how this industry is booming in our state – as well as across the country.

“As a festival, Tasting Australia is invested in promoting and showcasing Australian distilling and the best products being made – I encourage all Australian distillers to submit their entries into these coveted awards and embrace the opportunity to be part of Tasting Australia in 2024.”

The 2022 awards attracted the highest number of entries since the program’s inception – 328 spirits from 77 distillers across the nation, a number Spirit Awards Head Judge, Ollie Margan hopes to beat this year.

“Since the awards started in 2018, we have seen an increasing number of Australian based artisanal distillers and I look forward to seeing what new and innovative products are entered into the Spirit Awards this year,” Mr Margan said.

“Not only do the Tasting Australia Spirit Awards offer an opportunity to shine at the country’s longest running culinary festival, but they also offer an important launch pad for distillers nationwide – awards like these can increase a boutique distiller’s credibility when entering into the mainstream market.”

Entries open on 14 July and close on Friday 25 August 2023. An awards presentation will take place on 28 September in Adelaide.

To submit an entry into the 2023 Tasting Australia Spirit Awards visit tastingaustralia.com.au/about/spirit-awards.