A rum produced by Pinnacle Drinks and a gin from Barossa Distilling have taken out the top trophies at the 2020 London Spirits Competition.
Pinnacle’s Substation 41 won Rum of the Year, while Barossa Distilling Barrel Aged Gin won Gin of the Year.
The London Spirits Competition looks to recognise, reward and help promote spirits brands that have successfully been created to identify with and target a specific spirits drinker.
It spotlights spirits brands that consumers really want to buy and have a clear market value for trade buyers.
Pia Harris, brand manager for Substation No.41, said: “The Substation No.41 is popular among drinks lovers who want a delicious Australian rum at incredible value. We couldn’t be more thrilled that it’s now being recognised on the global scene.
“This is a Queensland dark rum with vanilla and toffee-like notes, followed by deep fruitcake flavours. It has spent two years in barrel, and has great depth of flavour.”
The rum is inspired by the Substation No.41 rum bar in Brisbane’s Breakfast Creek Hotel, which is one of the biggest rum bars in the world with a collection of over 500 varieties sourced from all over the world. Artisans from the bar helped create the inaugural recipe for the rum.
Meanwhile, Barossa Distilling said: “Wow, we are rather humbled by this one. What an honour to not only win a Gold Medal but to be recognised as the London Spirits Competition Gin of the Year 2020!
“In a large field of very high-quality gins from all over the world and judged by heavy-hitting trade professionals in London, this is an honour we are very, very proud to receive. Thank you.”
Australia took out four Gold medal winners at the Competition, aside from Substation 41 rum by Pinnacle Drinks and Barossa Distilling Barrel Aged Gin, Miss Yoko (Lychee Infused) Gin and Moreau Apple Pie Liqueur also scored top points.
Moreau was the only Australian liqueur to receive a Gold.
Co-founder Alex Hardie said: “This award means a lot to us, as it not only reflects the expert opinion of drinks specialists, but also takes into account what consumers actually want to buy and drink. 2020 has been a tough year for the craft spirit industry, and this acknowledgement is a huge credit to Head Distiller, Philip Crossley, who spent more than three years perfecting the recipe. It’s so rewarding to see our creation getting the recognition that it deserves, and good news for Australia to gain international recognition for its innovation in the world of spirits.”
Kings Cross Distillery wins Silver with first-ever gin batch
The very first batch of Kings Cross Distillery’s Australian Classic Dry Gin has taken home a Silver medal at the 2020 London Spirits Competition this week.
Inspired by a 1930s recipe that distiller Odelia Potts has adapted, the KXG Australian Classic Dry Gin is made by the single shot method and vapour distillation. The inaugural gin recipe is a mix of classic ‘London Dry’ gin botanicals like juniper, coriander seed and cardamom pods, with the addition of fresh Sydney organic lemons, as well as a local mix of Australian native myrtles.
The KXG Australian Classic Dry Gin also boasts notes of juniper, preserved lemon, grapefruit, bakers’ spices with exotic woods.
Potts commented: “As Australia’s newest gin, we are so honoured to be receiving this level of recognition at an international level. The London Spirits Competition recognises the best gins around the world and we’re thrilled to be awarded a silver medal.”
KXG Australian Classic Dry Gin is priced at $115 for a 700ml bottle.
