Australian distilleries including Hellyers Road Distillery, Lark Distilling Co, Backwoods Distilling Co. and Manly Spirits have taken out category wins at the World Whiskies Awards.

Sullivan’s Cove also triumphed in the Icons of Whisky Global Winners 2024, taking out four trophies.

Held in London on 20 March, the highly regarded award ceremony spotlights global industry leaders, celebrating the best-of-the-best whiskies. 

Whisky Magazine has been presenting the results of its World Whiskies Awards for 24 years (beginning as the Best of the Best competition in 2001). This year’s announcement represents the culmination of a rigorous blind-judging process that saw more than 200 expert judges from around the globe assess more than 1500 different whiskies from more than 40 countries.

The competition named its World’s Best winners across 23 categories, including single malt, bourbon, blended, rye, pot still and design.

World Whiskies Awards 2024 – Country Winners

Best Australian Blended
Coastal Stone – Xplore

Best Australian Blended Limited Release
Hellyers Road – Dark Harmony

Best Australian Blended Malt
Lark – Symphony No. 1

Best Australian Pot Still
Transportation Whiskey – The Journey Single Cask Cask Strength

Best Australian Rye
Backwoods Distilling Co. – Shiraz Cask

Best Australian Single Cask Single Malt
Hellyers Road – American Oak 16 Years Old

Best Australian Single Cask Single Rye
Whipper Snapper ­– Rye

Best Australian Single Malt
Lark – Fresh IPA Cask

Best Australian Small Batch Single Malt
Hellyers Road – Voyager Cask

Meanwhile, the World’s Best Label Design went to Callington Mill Distillery Blue Lake Lodge.

Australian Distillers Association chief executive Paul McLeay said it was yet another remarkable showing by the industry in a prestigious global event.

“For Australians to take out six of an available 27 Icons of Whisky awards demonstrates once again that our industry is world class,” he said.

“I would like to congratulate all the winners of these global awards, as well as our distillers who were named Country Winners on the night.”

Sullivans Cove scoops the pool

Sullivans Cove Distillery won four major awards at the World Whiskies Awards. Heather Tillott was named Distillery Manager of the Year, Ally Bhana won Brand Ambassador of the Year, Sullivans Cove was named Brand Innovator of the Year, in addition to taking home Sales Team of the Year.

Managing Director Adam Sable said: “To be recognised on the world stage for being the best at what we do is humbling and validating. Every day we go about our craft with pride, performing the countless small steps in the process of making whisky without compromise. It’s this mindset that underpins our continued success.”

Distillery Manager, Heather Tillott said: “Our long, slow process and our meticulous approach to making our single cask whisky solidifies us as a leader in the world of whiskies. We pride ourselves on our blend of traditional and innovative approaches and we are so pleased to receive global acclaim for our top quality processes, team and product.”

Multiple ‘Best Australian’ wins for Hellyers Road Distillery

Hellyers Road Distillery was Australia’s most awarded distillery at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards.

Three of the distillery’s Tasmanian whiskies clinching the prestigious title of “Best Australian” in their respective categories.

• Best Australian Single Cask Single Malt – Hellyers Road American Oak 16 Years Old
• Best Australian Blended Limited Release – Hellyers Road Dark Harmony
• Best Australian Small Batch Single Malt – Hellyers Road Voyager Cask

The Premier of Tasmania Jeremy Rockliff MP said: “This marks more global recognition for the excellent quality of whisky coming out of Tasmania.  My congratulations to the Hellyers team.”

Hellyers Road Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Derek Charge said: “Receiving these prestigious global accolades is a moment of immense pride for us, as it not only highlights Tasmania’s rich legacy of distillation expertise but, as Seamus has observed, justifies our faith in both mastering and building up Australia’s largest stock of aged whisky.”

Hellyers Road Head Distiller Fiona Coutts said: “This is fantastic news, and I can assure whisky connoisseurs we have much, much more aged stock of equal or greater quality in our barrels that is set to come to maturity in the coming months and years.”