Tasting Australia Spirit Awards

Spirit Awards

Tasting Australia Spirit Awards

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 Ollie Margan – owner of Adelaide’s Maybe Mae and multiple other hospitality venues across city centre. Margan has been involved in the Tasting Australia Spirit Awards since inception and will lead the panel throughout 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 2024. Following an announcement of the results guests can taste the medal-winning top drops and meet those who crafted them.

Medallists from the Spirit Awards will be integrated into programming and drinks selections at Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel 2025, giving distillers further opportunity and exposure to engaged national media and festivalgoers.

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2023 AWARD WINNERS

KEY INFORMATION

2024 Key Dates

Entries Open	Monday 17 June
Entries Close	Monday 29 July
Samples Received	By 4pm on Friday 2 August
Judging	Monday 19 – Wednesday 21 August
Awards Presentation	Wednesday 28 August
Industry Tasting	Thursday 29 August

New in 2024

Refinements and enhancements to the awards this year include:

The addition of an industry tasting event which will take place on Thursday 29 August, the day following the formal awards presentation. All 2024 product submissions will be available to sample, offering an opportunity for distillers to taste other products within the same category in a focused setting. By providing a benchmark against winning products, the industry tasting will assist all entrants with product development.
Entrants whose exhibits have won a gold medal at the 2024 awards will be required to supply, at their expense, one (1) x 700ml or equivalent bottle of their gold medal-winning exhibit to feature at the awards presentation and industry tasting.

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).

JUDGES

2024 JUDGING PANEL

Ollie Margan
Head Judge

“Since the awards started in 2018, we have seen an increasing number of Australian based artisanal distillers and I look forward to seeing what new and innovative products are entered into the Tasting Australia Spirit Awards this year.

"Not only do the Spirit Awards offer an opportunity to shine at the country’s longest running culinary festival, but they also offer an important launch pad for distillers nationwide – awards like these can increase a boutique distiller’s credibility when entering into the mainstream market.”

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."