Australian cocktail company Curatif has achieved a global first at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), taking out the World’s Best RTD Producer trophy for the third year running.
Curatif Managing Director and Co-Founder Matt Sanger (pictured main), who was in London to receive the award, said: “We were proud as punch with one Producer Trophy back in 2022 and absolutely stoked to go back-to-back in 2023, but this – to be the first producer in any category in 55 years to win three in a row – is amazing.
“I’m so proud of our team and their relentless pursuit in cocktail making. I’m on top of the world and could not be happier.”
The IWSC is regarded as the world’s pre-eminent judging program for wine, spirits, and RTDs, thanks to its reputation built since 1969.
Known for its rigorous blind-tasting process conducted by a panel of global experts, including master distillers and sommeliers, the IWSC ensures the highest level of fairness and expertise.
The IWSC praised Curatif’s unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence.
The judges noted: “Curatif are ahead of the game when it comes to packaging, innovation, and consistency. They manage to continuously adapt to the market every single year without fail.”
In a category that has exploded in recent years, Sanger believes one of the secrets to Curatif’s success is that it continues to innovate at lightning speed.
“Cocktails are fun. They’re moments of frivolity and indulgence that tend to evolve and adapt,” Sanger said.
“So as trends ebb and flow, we have the great indulgence of being able to ebb and flow with them. Making new drinks
every other day – it’s a tough gig!”
As for what’s next for the cocktail company, Sanger has his eye on international expansion.
“It’s time for the rest of the world to enjoy Curatif’s world-class cocktails,” Sanger said.
“We’re in discussions with distributors in Japan, Korea, and China at the moment and while we are in London we are meeting with a few very well-known retailers to see how we can elevate the next English summer. A couple of Curatif tins on the Thames sounds like just the thing to me!”