Melbourne International Spirits Competition has announced its 2021 winners, with more than 200 submissions from around the world being assessed by judges remotely this year.
What sets the Melbourne International Spirits Competition apart from other international beverage competitions is their “trade only” blind judging panel. The judges are retail store buyers, sommeliers, restaurant beverage directors, hoteliers, distributors, mixologists and importers from around Australia.
“We feel that these judges, whose livelihood rely upon their skill set, truly know what the consumer wants, as they receive on a daily basis the feedback from the consumer of what is good and what will sell,” the organisers explained.
The individual winners were:

Australia Brandy Distillery of the Year: Bass & Flinders Distillery
Australia Liqueur Distillery of the Year: Australian Boutique Spirits
Australia Rum of the Year: Croc Piss Clear
Non Alcohol Distillery of the Year: Lyre’s
Dominican Rum of the Year: Coles Armada Dark Rum
Japan Whiskey Producer of the Year: Amahghan World Malt
Tequila Distillery of the Year: Cierto
Reposado of the Year: Coles VIVIR Tequila Reposado
Bourbon Distillery of the Year: Garrison Brothers
Tennessee Whiskey Distillery of the Year: Uncle Nearest
USA Rum Distillery of the Year: Royal Hawaii Spirits Distillery
Gold medal winners
Whisk(ey)
Amahagan World Malt Edition No.5 Sherry Wood finish
Garrison Brothers Cowboy
Garrison Brothers Small Batch
The Shin 15 Year Old Malt Whisky Mizunara Oak Finish
Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey
Vodka
Baxter – Australian Crafted Vodka
Grainshaker Australian Vodka – Wheat

Gin
Coventry Estate Australian Botanical Gin 700mL
Devils Thumb Distillery Signature Dry Gin
Kangaroo Island Spirits Whisky Barrel Gin
Prohibition Liquor Co. Shiraz Barrel Age Gin
Slingsby Old Tom Gin
The Craft & Co Navy Strength Gin
Rum
Coles Armada Dark Rum
FNQ Spirits Croc Piss
RHS Royal Hawaii Spirits Honey Rum
Agave/tequila
Cierto Tequila Private Collection -Anejo
Cierto Tequila Private Collection – Blanco
Coles VIVIR Tequila Reposado
Brandy
Distiller’s Selection Single Cask Brandy Ochre – Fine Brandy
Liqueurs & other
Geo Coffee Liqueur 500mL
Lyre’s Absinthe
Lyre’s Amaretti
Lyre’s Aperitif Rosso
Lyre’s Italian Orange
The Craft & Co Anise
Brisbane newcomer celebrates double medal win
Brisbane’s Idle Hour Vodka, established during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, cemented its place in the Australian spirit industry by taking out both Bronze and Silver in the Melbourne International Spirit Competition last week.

The win comes just weeks after the brand secured national distribution with Craft Revolution and just shy of two months after being awarding Silver medals at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Idle Hour, which secured awards at the Melbourne Competition for both its filtered and unfiltered varieties of Rye-based vodka is making waves even in its infancy.
“Proud doesn’t begin to cover how we are feeling” said Co-Founder and Director Ewen Pettit. “To enter a field with so many heavy hitters and being awarded such recognition so early on is truly humbling.”
Distilled locally from locally sourced ingredients, the Idle Hour brand is now preparing to expand its range in coming weeks with a range of native inspired variations and RTD options.
“This is only the beginning” said Pettit.
Click here to see all the medal winners.
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