Ester Spirits has taken out the top award at the 2025 Australian Gin Awards with its Old Tom gin – the first-ever Old Tom to win a Best in Show accolade.

Winners were announced last night, during an awards ceremony hosted by International Spirits Academy Ambassador Charles Casben.

Old Tom is a style of gin that was popular in 18th-century England. It is slightly sweeter than London Dry gin and is known for its smooth, balanced flavour, making it a favourite in the craft cocktail movement.

While an Old Tom gin has never previously won an overall Best in Show award, several have won World’s Best in their specific style categories and been highly praised in other competitions.

Ester Spirits is a small but fast growing and highly awarded distillery based in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville.

It was awarded two trophies at this year’s Gin Awards, with co-founders Felix Clark and Corinna Kovner (pictured main) claiming Best in Class trophies for their Old Tom and Barrel Aged Gin #1.

Entries in the Australian Gin Awards were blind tasted by the judging panel and assessed based on appearance, aroma, flavour, technical merit and style. 

Australian Gin Awards Chair Mikey Enright said: “The Old Tom style of gin is always a tough category to judge, but this one was exceptional within the entire gin category.

“This gin has an elegant nose; the palate is packed with natural sweetness from a balanced array of botanicals. The finish is warm and everlasting and it’s a truly remarkable gin.”

Ester Spirits is part of the newly launched Inner West Distillery Trail, with fellow trail member Blackwattle Distilling Co winning the Classic Dry Gin trophy.

Best in Class winners

Blackwattle Distilling Co – Classic Dry (NSW)
Little Blessings Brewing – Contemporary (SA)
Overproof – Prohibition Liquor (SA)
Strait Brands – Traditional Gin Liqueurs (TAS)
Kendor Distillery – Flavoured (QLD)
Ester Distilling – Old Tom (NSW)
Ester Distilling – Barrel Aged Gin (NSW)

Gin Packaging Awards

The results for the Best Bottle and Best Series of bottles all went Western Australia’s way. Both winning distilleries are based north of Perth in coastal areas.

• Best Bottle – 30 Knots Distillery, Beresford, WA, featuring ‘Seaspray’ with a classic nautical look.
• Best Series of bottles – Lizard Dragon, Clarkson WA, featuring ‘Utopia’, Ellery’, ‘Tanami’ and ‘Old Man Saltbush’ demonstrating the essence of central Australia.

The Best in Show and the Best Bottle both receive a Delegates Booth at their choice of Gin Awards Festivals in 2026, valued at $2500.

Photographs and detailed results can be viewed at australianginawards.com.au for both gin and packaging awards results.

Drinks Digest Editor Alana House was proud to join the judging panel for the 2025 Australian Gin Awards.

The Inner West Distillery Trail launches