Australian spirits have been declared standouts at the world’s largest and most influential spirits awards, the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2024.

The IWSC is the world’s longest-running, largest and most prestigious spirits competition with more than 4000 entries from distilleries across the globe in 2024, and gin being the biggest category this year.

They include The Gospel, Four Pillars Barrel Aged Bloody Underhill Shiraz Gin, Mt. Uncle Distillery FNQ Iridium X Agave Cask 10 YO Rum, Dune Distilling Co. Mediterranean Gin and Naught Distilling Overproof.

Melbourne whiskey distillery The Gospel’s gold-medal-winning drop, The Gospel Straight Rye Whiskey ($95), was the joint second-highest scoring rye whiskey in the world, tying with a rare $1200 whiskey and beaten only by a $2400 18-year-old Kentucky Straight Rye.

Four Pillars Barrel Aged Bloody Underhill Shiraz Gin scored a massive 99 points (Outstanding Gold Medal) and was the highest scoring gin in the competition. Only five other global spirits scored 99 points with Four Pillars the only gin in the line-up.

Spirit Judging Committee Member Oliver Ward said: “Our judges spent three days tasting gins from different parts of the world with 760 medals awarded including more than 50 golds.

“Four Pillars Barrel Aged Bloody Underhill Shiraz Gin has a warm, complex and rich palate of cocoa, licorice and juniper with hints of mint. The levels of both sweetness and alcohol are perfectly judged.”

Co-founder and Head Distiller Cameron Mackenzie said: “We always knew this was a special gin made alongside our friend winemaker Sarah Crowe from Yarra Yering.

“On the eve of World Gin Day (8 June) we couldn’t be prouder to wave the flag for Australian gin around the world.”

IWSC described Naught Distilling Overproof Gin, which scored 97 points and earned a gold medal as “one of the absolute standouts” in the gin category. The judges admired its “enticing aromas of vanilla and pepper kick start with a smooth and integrated palate.”

Mediterranean Gin by Dune Distilling Co. was also one of the top scorers with 97 points and a gold medal. The judges admired its “inviting bouquet of menthol and delicate spice, with a refreshing lime zing”.

Meanwhile,  the judges raved after tasting FNQ Iridium X Agave Cask 10 YO Rum by Mt. Uncle Distillery (Australia) that it was yet another standout: “the palate sings with symphonic notes of balanced rich oak, creamy stewed apple, plump raisins and a full, satisfying, citrus-driven finish.”

Amber Lane also took out a swag of medals at the competition, becoming one of just three Australian single-malt whisky producers to receive a gold medal at the 2024 awards.

The gold medal was awarded for Amber Lane’s Liquid Amber whisky, with a score of 95 out of 100.

Amber Lane Distillery co-owner Rod Berry said: “To be recognised as one of just three Australian distilleries to receive a gold medal for its single-malt whisky is truly incredible, particularly since we’re still just six years into our whisky-making journey.”