Twelve of Starward’s whiskies have been awarded Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Founder, David Vitale said: “To be recognised, on a global stage, as some of the finest quality whisky in the world is a true testament to our incredible Australian ingredients and of course, the team’s ability to keep our innovative ethos fresh. It’s Australian whisky, and we are ecstatic to be celebrating this with the world!”
Starward won Double Gold for:
- Nova Single Malt Whisky
- Fortis Single Malt
- Left Field Single Malt
- Octave Barrels Single Malt Whisky
- Unexpeated Single Malt Whisky
- Tawny #2 Single Malt Whisky
- Ginger Beer Cask #6 Single Malt Whisky
- Hungarian Oak Single Malt Whisky
- Single Barrel #8193 Single Malt Whisky
- Single Barrel #4539 Single Malt Whisky
- Single Barrel #684 Single Malt Whisky
- Single Barrel #3278 Single Malt Whisky
It won Gold for its Two-Fold Double Grain Whisky, Dolce Single Malt Whisky and Single Barrel #7598 Single Malt Whisky.
Australian whiskies had over 60 entries this year with close to half of them receiving a 46 per cent gold medal or higher. Callington Mill Distillery in Tasmania also performed well and won five double gold medals in this year’s content. The distillery’s entire Leap of Faith series received awards.
Callington Mill said, “Not only is an SFWSC medal a testament to hard work, it’s a universally recognised indicator of exceptional quality and craftsmanship. We could not be more proud of the result we have achieved for our first ever series release.”
The Best in Class and Best in Show announcements are yet to be announced.
Geelong-based Story Cocktails was awarded the first ever Platinum medal for a bottled cocktail, Martinez, having been awarded double gold for the cocktail three years in a row.
Mighty Craft distilleries 78 Degrees and Kangarood Island Spirits were also recognised with 78 Degrees receiving Double Gold for its Sunset Gin as well as Gold Medals for its Desert Gin, Bitter Orange, and Apple Brandy.
Kangaroo Island Spirits, highly regarded for its use of Australian native ingredients, won six awards with gold medals awarded for its O’Gin and Whisky Barrel Aged Gin while the Wild Gin, Old Tom Gin, Mulberry Gin and Koala 48 Gin received silver.
Mighty Craft’s Managing Director, Mark Haysman said, “The SFWSC confirms that our two spirits brands – 78 Degrees and Kangaroo Island Spirits – are some of the best in the world and it’s great to see them consistently rewarded for their skill and dedication to their craft.
“The competition was highly competitive this year and the medals we won highlight all the work that Sacha (La Forgia) and Charlie (Schmidt) have been doing in their distilleries.”
Mighty Craft’s Seven Seasons Spirits also won two medals including silver for Green Ant Gin and bronze for Bush Apple Gin.
Hellfire Bluff Distillery was awarded four gold medals for three of its Tasmanian gins – London Dry Gin, Summer Gin, and Piquant Gin, as well as a Gold Medal for their signature spirit – Potato Vodka.
Hellfire Bluff’s Business Manager Ruby Daly said, “We are a family owned business, with a small team that works extremely hard to craft premium products here in regional Tasmania. These accolades show that our Tasmanian spirits are among the best in the world and we are extremely proud of everything we have achieved.”
Idle Hour won silver for both Idle Hour Filtered and for Idle Hour Kakadu Plum and Ginger.
Co-founder and director, Ewen Pettit said, “Straight off from partnering with a world class event, the Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix, we are proud to be presenting Australians with world class vodka”.
Australian botanical spirit, Tanica, just launched in November 2021 won silver.
Australian Double Gold Winners
- 23rd Street: Not Nanna’s Brandy & Australian Vodka
- 78 Degrees Sunset Gin
- Archie Rose: Distiller’s Strength Gin & Bone Dry Gin
- Callington Mill Distillery: Sherry Fusion Tasmanian Single Malt, Audacity Tasmanian Single Malt, Symmetry Tasmanian Single Malt, Quintessence Tasmanian Single Malt,
- Curatif: Archie Rose Espresso Martini, Tequila Tommy’s Margarita, Black Pearl Toreador
- Distil On The Hill
- DNA Distillery: Rakija & Gold Rakija
- Gindu: An Australian Dry Gin & A Coastal Gin
- Headlands: Seacliff Vodka
- Imperial Measures Distilling: Ounce Gin Signature
- Inner Circle: Cask Strength Rum & Over-Proof Rum
- Karu: Morita Chipotle Vodka
- Narrow Tracks: Dog Days Gin
- Never Never Distilling Co: Triple Juniper & Southern Street Gin
- Pure Origins Tasmanian Vodka
- Starward Whisky (see above)
- Tinberry Distilling Co
For the full list of medal winners visit Tasting Alliance website .
