Winners of the eighth Tasting Australia Spirit Awards announced

South Australian distillers have shown the strength of our local spirits industry, winning nine out of the 11 categories at the 2025 Tasting Australia Spirit Awards last night at Station Road.

A total of 175 entries were received for this year’s competition, with 26 debut entrants and an increase in liqueur entries from 2024 among the highlights.

Adelaide-based Imperial Measures Distilling secured two major awards: Best Distiller for its Scarlet Sweet Vermouth and Ounce Gin – Bright and the Innovation Award for their Scarlet Sweet Vermouth. Reform Distilling, based in the inner-city Adelaide suburb of Kent Town, won the Best New Entrant award for their Bight Lights and Hills Harvest range.

Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said she was proud of the South Australian representation in the awards.

“Our state has earned a reputation as a destination where exceptional food and drink are consistently produced – and as a state where our local distillers continue to set new standards,” Minister Bettison said.

“It’s amazing to see the Tasting Australia Spirit Awards not only support the industry but help drive it’s growth.”

Head Distiller at Never Never Distilling, Tim Boast headed the judging panel and said entries in the awards’ eighth edition reflected the growth and innovation of Australian distillers.

“This year we were truly impressed by the submissions – spirits that pay tribute to their roots and would confidently hold their own amongst any international lineup,” Mr Boast said.

“The judges awarded 156 medals, including 25 golds, to new and returning entrants of the competition. It was an exceptional display of the innovative and quality products Australian distillers continue to produce, congratulations to all the distilleries recognised in this highly competitive field.”

The 2025 Tasting Australia Spirit Award winners:
Best Whisky: Country to Coast #6, Fleurieu Distillery & Black Gate Distillery (SA & NSW)
Best Gin: Mr Wiggles Clare Valley Gin, Sawmill Gin (SA)
Best Vodka: Moo’s Distillery Daisy Vodka, Moo’s Distillery (SA)
Best Rum: Pure Single Rum ex Oloroso Cask, Mad Monkey Distillery (SA)
Best Brandy: St Agnes Bartenders Cut, St Agnes Distillery (SA)
Best Liqueur: Stache House Mulberry Liqueur, Stache House Beverage Co. (VIC)
Best Vermouth / Bitters / Other: In The Weeds, Beechworth Bitters Company (VIC)
Premier’s Spirit Award: Telemachus, Fleurieu Distillery (SA)
Best Distiller: Imperial Measures Distilling (SA)
Innovation Award: Scarlet Sweet Vermouth, Imperial Measures Distilling (SA)
Best New Entrant: Bright Lights & Hills Harvest, Reform Distilling (SA)

Visit www.tastingaustralia.com.au for the full list of Tasting Australia Spirit Awards winners including medallists.