Australian distillers have stolen the show at the 2023 London Spirits Competition, taking out the overall Best Quality Award, Best RTD, Best Brandy and 25 Gold medals.
London Spirits Competition judges spirits with end consumers in mind. Spirits are rated with three main criteria: quality, value, and packaging. To be a medal winner, Spirits must show a high rating in all three factors with the most weightage on quality.
A record number of entrants this year were vying for the much-coveted bronze, silver, and gold medals, with about 2000 spirits brands entering from more than 80 countries.
“The London Spirits Competition is becoming more widely known in the trade with each passing year, and as a result, we are receiving an increased number of entries,” said Sid Patel, CEO of Beverage Trade Network, which owns and manages the event.
“I have to say I am pleasantly surprised at the increased number of entries this year as the pandemic resulted in many drinks companies putting their NPD on hold and focusing on their core operations instead. This is just a testament to the increasingly good reputation of the competition as word spreads in the industry that we offer something a bit different from other events.”
Young Henrys scoops multiple awards
Young Henrys GIN & TONIC won The Best Quality Award with 97 points at the event. It also won Best in Show Australia and a Gold Medal.
Featuring Young Henrys’ award-winning Noble Cut Gin, Young Henrys Gin & Tonic is distilled using native botanicals, Tasmanian grown hops and other locally sourced ingredients, lightly infused with signature tonic and hints of pink grapefruit and thyme.
“The incredible results we achieved at the London Spirit competition is a true testament to the quality of product we make,” said Carla Daunton, Head Distiller.
“For the gin and tonic RTD to receive a gold medal, best in show Australia, best RTD and best spirit for quality is phenomenal. We always believed this tiny tin was a winner and now others do too! I’m very lucky to be a part of an incredible team that strives for excellence every day. Our constant push for both innovation and perfection is an incredible driver to produce stellar spirits every day.”
“Well wasn’t that a nice email to wake up to last week!” said Dan Hampton, Director & Co-Founder of Young Henrys.
“Obviously, we’re more known for our beers than spirits however at Young Henrys, we approach every single product we create in the same way…flavour first. Whether it’s our core range beers, limited-release B-Side, or one of many spirits, the same attention and dedication fills each tank. Our G&T was the result of a massive team effort and evolved into what is now considered awarding winning in the ranks of LSC. I’d say that this doesn’t really come as a huge surprise to those who have tasted it … but we’re stoked that it could be what puts it into the hands, mouths and minds of many more potential fans.”
Australian distillers create world’s best brandy
Brandy of the Year was Tamborine Mountain Distillery Apricot Brandy at 96 points.
Tamborine Mountain Distillery was founded in 1993 and is the third oldest distillery in Queensland.
“We couldn’t believe it when the email came in from the 2023 London Spirit Competition that our Apricot Brandy Liqueur, made right here in our Hinterland boutique distillery, has taken the BEST BRANDY gold medal among 2000 of the top makers and distillers in the world,” the distillery said.
“What an achievement for Head Distiller Gordon Chalmers and Owner Shumei Hou to add to the overwhelming portfolio of national and international awards, not to mention kudos for Aussie makers to be recognized on the global stage with some of the world’s finest.”
2023 London Spirits Competition winners
Spirit of the Year: Downpour Scottish Dry Gin by North Uist Distillery at 98 points, United Kingdom.
Distillery of the Year: Virginia Distillery Company, United States.
Best Spirit by Value: Dry As A Nun by Distillers Republic at 95 points, Latvia.
Best Spirit by Quality: Young Henrys Gin And Tonic by Young Henrys Brewing and Distilling Company at 97 points, Australia.
Best Spirit by Packaging: Ukiyo Japanese Rice Vodka by Kirker Greer Spirits at 96 points, Japan.
Vodka of the Year: Ukiyo Japanese Rice Vodka by Kirker Greer Spirits at 96 points, Japan.
Rum of the Year: Bodegas Papiamento Rum Caribbean Carnival by Bodegas Papiamento Aruba at 95 points.
Tequila of the Year: Jaja Tequila by Jaja Spirits at 94 points, Mexico.
Gin of the Year: Downpour Scottish Dry Gin by North Uist Distillery at 98 points, United Kingdom.
Whisky of the Year: Courage & Conviction American Single Malt Whisky by Virginia Distillery Company at 98 points, United States.
Brandy of the Year: Apricot Brandy by Tamborine Mountain Distillery at 96 points, Australia.
Liqueur of the Year: De Kuyper Sour Rhubarb Liqueur by De Kuyper at 92 points, Holland.
Cognac of the Year: Courvoisier Cognac XO Royal by Courvoisier at 95 points, France,
Mezcal of the Year: Defrente by Tequila Defrente at 93 points, Mexico.
RTD of the Year: Young Henrys Gin And Tonic by Young Henrys Brewing and Distilling Company at 97 points, Australia
Non-Alcoholic of the Year: Sober – Sober – Whisky 0.0% by Sober Spirits Sas at 92 points, France.,
Australian distillers – Gold medal winners
Young Henrys Gin & Tonic
Tamborine Mountain Distillery Apricot Brandy
Archie Rose White Cane Rum
Ester Spirits Dry Gin
FNQ Rum Co. Platinum
Big River Distilling Mandarin Gin
Brix White Rum
The Farmer’s Wife Autumn Dry Gin
Tread Softly Dry Gin
Cape Grim 666 Original Vodka
Morris Australian Single Malt Whisky Signature
Morris Australian Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel
Eventide Hills Distillery Gin
Limoncello Australia Watermelon Mint Gin
Headlands Distilling Company Muscat Cask Whisky
Seabourne Distillery Coastal Dry Gin
Black Rabbit Distillery Signature Gin
Kangaroo Island Distillery Wild Gin
Callington Mill Distillery Fusion Single Malt Whisky
Australian Distilling Co. Bondi Gin
Lawrenny Cellar Collection Port Cask Single Malt Whisky
23RD Street Distillery Mulberry Gin
Larrikin Gin Sunburnt Country
Larrkin Gin Lola
Tread Softly Pink Gin
Headlands Distilling Company Apera Cask Whisky
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