The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) will enter the world of distilled spirits for the first time since 1981 next year when it launches its inaugural Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show.
The Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show will join the RAS’ calendar of wine, dairy and fine food competitions, which include the Sydney Royal Wine Show and Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show.
Set to take place in September 2024 classes will include Brandy, Cane Spirit, Gin, Liqueur, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey, Alternative Distilled Spirits, Non-Alcoholic and a stand-alone Ready to Drink (RTD) class, with 15 Champion trophies up for grabs.
The competition’s first Chair of Judges will be Four Pillars founder Stuart Gregor.
“Obviously I am thrilled to have been asked to Chair the inaugural, stand-alone Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show. I say stand-alone because the RAS has records of judging spirits back to 1870 when a South Australian gin was entered; and in 1877 there were SIX Queensland rums entered in the annual RAS awards,” Gregor said.
“The spirits industry in Australia has grown phenomenally over the past decade and Sydney Royal’s decision to create and promote a stand-alone competition for all spirits, RTDs and non-alcoholic ‘spirit-type products’ is testament to the industry’s growth and increasing maturity. Of course, brandy has long been an important part of the Sydney Royal Wine Show and will now be judged alongside other spirits at this show.
“Everyone knows how rich the history of the RAS is, and for those of us who grew up in Sydney and have attended the Easter Show every year since birth, it is wonderful to see spirits play a part alongside our great wines, beers, ciders and of course the best agricultural products, baked goods and livestock in Australia.
“This will be a robust show, with what I am sure will be an impressively strong judging panel who will rigorously and honestly assess the best that Australia’s 450 plus distillers can produce.”
As an organisation focused on championing Australian agriculture, the new competition will aim to highlight products made with at least 85 percent Australian-grown ingredients. This requirement is currently implemented across all wine, dairy, and fine food competitions.
The Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show will open for entries in April 2024. Interested Australian producers are encouraged to complete an expressions of interest form via the RAS website (www.rasnsw.com.au) and keep an eye out for entries opening in April 2024.
Interested judges are encouraged to contact the RAS Wine, Dairy & Fine Food team at distilledspirits@rasnsw.com.au