The winners of the annual Tasting Australia Spirit Awards 2020 presented by Master Cask have been announced.
Held for the third year, 255 unique spirits from 75 Australian producers were in the running with a record number of entries. After three days of intensive tasting by a panel of expert judges led this year by Tasting Australia Beverage Director, Nick Stock – all from South Australia this year due to travel restrictions – the winners were revealed.
The 2020 judging panel consisted of: Amy Martin, Tarac Technologies (SA), Darren Lange, MasterCask (SA), Graham Wright, The Odd Whisky Coy (SA), Laura Carter, Ochre Nation (SA), Marcus Motteram, Hains & Co. (SA), Mark Reginato, Hellbound (SA), Ollie Margan, Maybe Mae (SA), Sacha La Forgia, Adelaide Hills Distillery (SA) and Stephen Pannell, SC Pannell (SA).
The trophies for best spirits were awarded at an industry award event held on Saturday 26 September. Below is the full list of the winners for 2020.
Tasting Australia Spirit Awards 2020
Best Distiller:
Ambleside Distillers, SA, for their Small Acre Gin and No. 8 Botanical Gin
Best Small Batch Spirit:
Taylor & Smith Dry Gin, TAS, Taylor and Smith Distilling Co.
Best Small Cask Maturation:
Distillers Selection Single Cask 6YO Brandy Bass and Flinders Distillery (VIC)
Best Whisky:
Sullivans Cove American Oak Tawny Single Cask, Sullivans Cove Distillery (TAS)
Best Gin:
Ambleside Distillers Small Acre Gin, Ambleside Distillers (SA)
Best Vodka:
White Light Vodka Original, White Light Beverages (VIC)
Best Rum:
Requiem Rum ‘SS Ferret’, Tin Shed Distilling Co. (SA)
Best Brandy:
Distillers Selection Single Cask 6YO Brandy (Lot 143), Bass and Flinders Distillery (VIC)
Best Liqueur:
Økar Amaro, Ochre Nation (SA)
Best Alternate Spirit:
Apple Brandy, Adelaide Hills Distillery (SA)
Best Independent Bottler:
The Craft & Co, Gypsy Hub, VIC
Tasting Australia is set to return in autumn from 30 April – 9 May 2021. The winners of Tasting Australia Spirit Awards 2019 can be viewed here.
