South Australia is reinforcing its position as the Nation’s leading purveyor of exceptional spirits, with local distillers claiming an outstanding 10 out of 12 titles at the 2023 Tasting Australia Spirit Awards.
A record number of 86 distillers from across Australia entered their products into the coveted awards, with Goolwa’s Fleurieu Distillery taking out Australia’s Best Distiller for the second year running – this time for two of their whiskies, Don Quixote and Tapestry.
The Don Quixote, with its brandied fruit notes and malty sweetness, was also awarded the Premier’s Spirit Award.
The lucky panel of judges tasted more than 280 products to decide on the winning bottles.
McLaren Vale’s Never Never Distilling Co. was awarded Best Gin, for its signature Triple Juniper Gin. The export strength gin uses a triple concentrated production process to deliver a gin bursting with classic Juniper flavour and crafted for delicious Gin and Tonics.
Regional SA also took out the title for Best Brandy, with Renmark’s iconic St Agnes Distillery awarded for its golden amber XO 15 year old Brandy. And with 30 “secret ingredients”, ‘Siropo’ Amaro by Spirito Santo at Nuriootpa, was recognised for its Innovation.
Other South Aussie winners included Seaford’s Pluto Spirits, which was established in 2021 and Ragazzi e Succo.
Tourism Minister, Zoe Bettison, said the awards helped cement our State’s reputation as a must-visit food and beverage destination, “enticing visitors from far and wide not only to discover world-class wine, but our growing spirit industry”.
