Dan Murphy’s has announced the winners of its Decoded Spirit Awards for 2024, with 19 spirits taking out top honours.

In its third year, The Decoded Spirits Awards selection process is the result of a rigorous two-day tasting event from a panel of 13 spirits judges tasting more than 450 products under blind tasting conditions.

South Australia and Victoria were tied as the states with the highest number of winners and finalists, with seven producers making the leaderboard.

South Australia was dominated the category for Australian gin producers as either a winner or finalist.

Queensland dominated the rum category with two local producers named as finalists, while Tasmania dominated the whisky category, recording three finalists.

Dan Murphy’s Head of Spirits Sarah Hall said: “These awards really recognise the high quality spirits on the market but also pay homage to the incredible workmanship of Australian producers.

“We are incredibly lucky to have some of the best producers in the industry right at our doorstep. Australian producers demonstrate not only a high level of skill and tenacity but also creativity relying on natural products from our diverse landscape.

“From sourcing ingredients like botanicals unique only to Australia to sourcing high quality Australian barley, all of these elements really demonstrate that Australian producers deserve to be on the world stage.”

Hall noted that the younger demographic, with changing macroeconomic conditions, were looking to elevate their at-home experiences.

“The MilZ cohort want to explore new and sweeter tasting drinks and want to be able to use their creativity to create insta-worthy cocktails,” she said.

“These are the people we know who will really gravitate towards this kind of initiative – high quality spirits that are unpretentious and accessible, regardless if you have the knowledge of a professional bartender or not.”

The winners

Agave – Anejo

Solento Organic Anejo Tequila

Judges’ verdict: Notes of rich caramel, brown sugar, banana and cinnamon with an oaky finish.

Agave – Blanco

Casamigos Blanco Tequila

Judges’ verdict: Very good blanco Tequila. Very floral nose with well balanced tropical, fruity sweetness, along with vegetal and honey notes.

Agave – Reposado

Don Julio Reposado Tequila

Judges’ verdict: Overall a very good Tequila. Complex, vegetative, earthy and mature, with notes of vanilla and caramel on the nose.

Apéritifs, Digestifs & Liqueurs

Dubonnet

Judges’ verdict: Scored well across the judging panel, rich and herbal with balanced attributes.

Brandy/Cognac/Armagnac

Hennessy VSOP Cognac

Judges’ verdict: Flavours of apricots, fig, and a hint of marmalade, finishes smooth and long. Simply put, done very well.

Gin – Australian

Kangaroo Island Spirits Wild Gin

Judges’ verdict: Well rated across the judging panel. A classic style with notes of peppermint and lime, super sessionable and lends itself to all occasions.

Gin – Coloured & Sloe

MG Orange Blossom Gin

Judges’ verdict: Smooth with pleasant fruit flavour. Really good all round

Gin – International

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin

Judges’ verdict: Good mouthfeel to this gin; complex, well balanced with good spice notes well
integrated.

Non Alcoholic

Abstinence Blood Orange Aperitif Non Alcoholic Spirit

Judges’ verdict: A runaway winner in the category, good balance with flavours of citrus and orange.

Pre Batched Cocktails

Hochstadter’s Slow & Low Rock & Rye Whisky Can

Judges’ verdict: Flavours of stewed navel orange, sweet honeycomb and satisfying spice. All well rounded with nice heat and warmth. Great to enjoy whilst watching a footy game.
Other finalists:

Rum

Zacapa Centenario 23 Solera Gran Reserva Rum

Judges’ verdict: Balanced and smooth Rum, rich flavours but with an easy-going style/texture.

Rum – Spiced

RATU Spiced Rum 5 Year Old

Judges’ verdict: Rich and flavoursome with notes of toffee apple, stonefruit, apricot, peach, confectionary, biscuit and nougat.

Scotch – Blended Whisky

Chivas Regal XV 15 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky

Judges’ verdict: This whisky offers notes of orchard fruits, dark caramel, toffee and cedar-y spice, with
long notes of creme brulee and toasted sugar on the finish.

Scotch – Single Malt Whisky

The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Judges’ verdict: A plethora of flavours; candied fruit, candied nut, corinth raisin, fig, chocolate and
Christmas pudding spice, love it!

Vodka – Australian

Tread Softly Vodka
Judges’ verdict: Well-balanced vodka; delicate, consistent and bright with a good finish.

Vodka – International

Belvedere Vodka

Judges’ verdict: This vodka offered a fruity, herbaceous and floral nose, complemented with a complex and heavy mouthfeel with light oily texture, lingering sweetness, and notes of citrus and lime. All perfectly balanced with alcohol well integrated and no burn.

Whisk(e)y – Australian

Morris Rutherglen Signature Single Malt Australian Whisky

Judges’ verdict: Dark fruit notes and flavours to this Whisky, with savoury notes and a long finish.

Whisk(e)y – North American

Redemption Bourbon Whiskey

Judges’ verdict: Orange, ginger, and zest on the nose, wth nutty notes of almond, cashew and a creamy palate comparable to 2022 Winner in the Category. Vanilla, spice and everything nice!

Whisk(e)y – World

Yamazaki 12 Year Old Whisky

Judges’ verdict: An outstanding whisky; great balance of spicy oak, candied fruit, orange, florals, toffee with a solid backbone and finishing with spiciness. Simply “mmmm”.

View the full list of finalists here.