Australian distillers have taken out 18 Double Gold medals at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).
SFWSC is the oldest and largest competition of its kind, setting the industry standard for excellence. Medal winners range from globally renowned distilleries to rising small-batch producers, many of whom have gained widespread recognition through the competition.
Among the distillers that swept up a swag of Double Golds were Starward with six and Callington Mill with four.
“Each Callington Mill release expresses a distinct story, and it’s exciting to see this story resonating at such a prestigious competition,” said Callington Mill Distillery Founder, John Ibrahim.
“The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is a huge platform to showcase our craft,”“It’s one of the world’s most respected spirits competitions.
“We’re incredibly proud to see our whiskies earning recognition at a global level, particularly at a time as we’re expanding our footprint both in Australia and internationally.”
“Our whiskies represent a new era in Tasmanian whisky. We have built the Rolls-Royce of distilleries in the heart of Oatlands using Tasmanian technology and supporting local suppliers to make Callington Mill an acclaimed whisky destination. We’re setting new standards in sustainability and through our cask program, which is resulting in what I feel is a new level of craft Tasmanian whisky.”
Last year, San Francisco World Spirits Competition named Starward whisky the world’s best for 2024, awarding it with the title of ‘Most Awarded International Distillery of the Year’.
“It is incredibly thrilling to have this recognition from a highly competitive global competition, across all spirit categories,” Starward founder David Vitale said.
“It is the Olympics of the international spirits industry, and our Melbourne-made whisky has taken top honour. With this recognition, it is absolutely plausible that the Australian whisky industry could be as big internationally as Japanese whisky, which would be a massive boon for our export industry,”
Callington Mill’s win follows closely on from its Pedro Ximenez Single Malt Whisky winning Single Malt Whisky of the Year at the International London Spirits Competition. Its Poltergeist Citrus Gin also won Gold and was named Country Winner in the London Dry Gin category at the World Drinks Awards.
Aussie Double Golds at SFWSC 2025
- Archie Rose Distilling Co. Single Malt Whisky (NSW)
- Burdekin Rum Distillers Edition – Coral Sea Strength (QLD)
- Callington Mill Distillery Fusion Single Malt Whisky (TAS)
- Callington Mill Distillery Oloroso Single Malt Whisky (TAS)
- Callington Mill Distillery Pedro Ximenez Single Malt Whisky (TAS)
- Callington Mill Distillery Solera Single Malt Whisky (TAS)
- Ginny Pig Distillery Botanic Gin (SA)
- Headlands Distilling Company Illawarra Plum Cask Whisky (NSW)
- Hickson House Harbour Bridge Gin (NSW)
- MGC The Melbourne Gin Company Single Shot Gin (VIC)
- Never Never Distilling Co. Triple Juniper Export Strength Gin (SA)
- Prohibition Liquor Co. Juniperus Gin (SA)
- Starward Botrytis Cask Australian Single Malt Whisky (VIC)
- Starward Bourbon Cask #2 Australian Single Malt Whisky (VIC)
- Starward Nova Australian Single Malt Whisky (VIC)
- Starward Single Barrel #8193 Australian Single Malt Whisky (VIC)
- Starward Single Barrel Captain’s Pick #2 Australian Single Malt Whisky (VIC)
- Starward Yering Station Pinot Noir Cask Australian Single Malt Whisky (VIC)
View all the results here.
The Best in Class finalists will be announced in the coming months, with Best in Class spirits finalists for whiskey, shochu, soju, tequila, mezcal, vodka, rum and gin announced later this month.