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Spirit Awards

Tasting Australia Spirit Awards—Entries Open Now

The South Australian Tourism Commission invites Australian distillers to participate in the eighth annual Tasting Australia Spirit Awards — a celebration of all things distilled around the nation. The Australian distilling industry is one of the fastest growing and most diverse in the world. These national awards aim to recognise that ingenuity and fortitude while celebrating the industry’s achievements.

Entries will be assessed by a panel of expert Australian judges selected by Tasting Australia Spirit Awards head judge Tim Boast – head distiller and co-founder of South Australia's award-winning Never Never Distilling Co. Boast has joined the Tasting Australia Spirit Awards this year will lead the panel during the judging process. Renowned Tasmanian distiller Bill Lark remains patron of the awards.

Entrants are invited to attend an awards presentation held after judging to see which Australian distillers are named Tasting Australia Spirit Awards winners for 2025. Following an announcement of the results guests can taste the medal-winning top drops and meet those who crafted them.

Trophy award-winners will be integrated into a showcase at Tasting Australia presented by Journey Beyond 2026, giving distillers further opportunity and exposure to engage national media and festival-goers.

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KEY INFORMATION

2025 Key Dates

Entries Open	9am Friday 4 July
Entries Close	9am Monday 11 August
Samples Received	By 4pm Monday 18 August
Judging	Monday 25 – Wednesday 27 August
Awards Presentation	Tuesday 2 September
Industry Tasting	Wednesday 3 September

New in 2025

Refinements and enhancements to the awards this year include:

A new Tasting Australia Spirit Awards head judge in Tim Boast - head distiller and co-founder of South Australia's award-winning Never Never Distilling Co. The brand's bold, juniper-forward approach redefined Australian gin, with Never Never taking out awards including World's Best Classic Gin (2019), World's Best London Dry (2022) and Global Distiller of the Year in 2019 and 2021. Based in Mclaren Vale, Boast continues to push boundaries with new limited-edition releases and collaborations that champion innovation, flavour and quality.
The Best New Distiller Award has been renamed to The Best New Entrant Award
The Tasting Australia Spirit Awards Industry Tasting will be open by invitation to industry members, further bolstering awareness of all entered products.

Please Note

There has been no change to the amount of stock required for judging – we ask for one 700mL bottle (or equivalent volume across multiple bottles of the same batch).

Category Gin, Class 201 Contemporary requirements have been updated to 'uses natives, local or non-traditional botanicals.'

Category Vermouth/Bitters/Other, Class 701 Herbal/Botanical Liqueur notes have been updated to 'Category includes aperitivo and amaro bitter liqueurs, all bitters/liqueurs that don't qualify as vermouth with a herbal focus. If of a recognised style, please state.'

EXPLORE THE FULL ENTRY BOOKLET

JUDGES

Tim Boast
Head Judge

Tim Boast is Head Distiller and co-founder of Australia’s award-winning Never Never Distilling Co. After a decade-long career in finance, he shifted paths to follow a deep-rooted passion for spirits and flavour—an interest sparked by his grandmother’s family connection to gin distilling. Tim built his first still in his Adelaide backyard, affectionately naming it “Nancy” after his grandmother, and began developing what would become Never Never’s signature style. He joined forces with friends George Georgiadis and Sean Baxter to launch the distillery in 2017.

Their bold, juniper-forward approach redefined Australian gin, and Never Never has collected countless awards, including World’s Best Classic Gin (2019), World’s Best London Dry (2022), and Global Distiller of the Year (2019, 2021). Based in McLaren Vale, Tim continues to push boundaries with innovative, limited-edition releases and collaborations that champion innovation, flavour, and quality.

Bill Lark
Patron

"I have been involved with the Tasting Australia Spirit Awards as a judge since its inception in 2018. I am honoured to be the Patron for the awards and to work alongside the panel, providing tasting education sessions for the judges which will enhance the overall judging process. I look forward to working with the judges in this capacity and to continue to improve the calibre of the awards for future years."