The 2017 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards (ADSA) were announced earlier tonight in Melbourne. A total of ten champion trophies were awarded in the third year of the awards, with five won by Western Australian distillers, three to South Australia and one in Victoria.
Old Young’s, Henley Brook, WA and Hoochery Distillery, Kunnunarra, WA shared in the top honour of Champion Australian Distiller, after receiving the exact same average across their top three scoring entries.
The winners of Australian Distilled Spirits Awards 2017:
Champion Australian Distiller (Tied)
Old Young’s, Western Australia
Hoochery Distillery, Western Australia
Champion Whisky
Starward Pedro Ximinez Sherry Cask #3 – New World Whisky, Victoria
Champion Gin
The West Winds Gin The Broadside (Navy Strength) – The Tailor Made Spirits Company, Western Australia
Champion Vodka
Pure No. 1 – Old Young’s, Western Australia
Champion Brandy
St Agnes XO – St Agnes Distillery, South Australia
Champion Rum
Ord River Rum – Premium – Hoochery Distillery, Western Australia
Champion Liqueur
The Italian – Adelaide Hills Distillery, South Australia
Champion Alternative Spirit
Mandarinello – Gidgegannup Distilleries, Western Australia
Champion Small Batch Spirit
Red Hen Gin – Small Batch Distilling T/A Red Hen Gin, South Australia
The ADSA are conducted by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), the organisation responsible for the Australian International Beer Awards and the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards. In 2017, the awards attracted 240 entries from nearly 70 producers. The awards were judged by a panel led by Sam Bygrave of Australian Bartender magazine over two days.
Photo of Kalyn Dessert-Fletcher (Hoochery) and Melinda Young (Old Young’s) supplied.
