Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin has taken home the Contemporary Gin Trophy at the 2025 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2025 in London.

It was the only Australian spirit to win a trophy at the IWSC 2025 (scoring 98 points), with only three gin trophies awarded and just 21 spirit trophies given overall.

This year, 4000 entries were received across all spirit categories with the IWSC Judging Panel describing the Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin as featuring “green hedgerow aromas and refreshing nettle notes, which entice the senses. The palate delivers a zesty explosion, showcasing bright finger limes with an earthy undertone. The finish is long-lasting, leaving a delightful impression long after the spirit has faded”.

Four Pillars has had an incredible run at the IWSC, arguably recognised as the most prestigious drinks competition in the world. Four Pillars was awarded International Gin Producer of the Year in 2019, 2020 and 2023, and in October 2022 the inaugural IWSC Green Spirit Initiative Award.  

Last year Four Pillars Yarra Yering Barrel Aged Bloody Underhill Shiraz Gin was also the highest scored gin of the entire show at 99 points.

This is also the first trophy for Head Distiller Sarah Prowse (above).

Prowse said: “Everyone knows this is my favourite gin and I’m absolutely thrilled its won top honours at the IWSC. Navy Strength has always punched above its weight but to win a trophy at the IWSC and named top three gins in the world is very cool indeed.”

All the IWSC trophy winners for 2025

Scotch whisky was once again a highlight at IWSC 2025. Loch Lomond Distillery’s 18 YO Single Malt claimed the Single Malt Scotch Whisky Under 20 YO Trophy, while Chivas Brothers’ A’glac Charrann 27 YO Single Malt took the Over 20 YO Trophy. A Blended Scotch Whisky Trophy was also awarded to Dewar’s Double Double 38 YO.

In the global whiskey categories, Blackwater Distillery’s The Full Irish Blended Whiskey was named Irish Whiskey Trophy winner, while Frank August’s Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon took home the Bourbon Trophy. The American Whiskey Trophy went to Pinhook’s Vertical Series 9 YO Rye, while the Worldwide Whiskey Trophy was awarded to Ki One’s Unicorn Korean Single Malt Whisky, a standout from South Korea that Dawn Davies MW called ‘unforgettable’.

Gin, always one of the biggest categories at the IWSC, saw trophies for Hawkridge Distillers’ The Store Gin (Classic Gin Trophy), Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin (Contemporary Gin Trophy), and Brass Lion Pearl Jasmine Gin (Flavoured Gin Trophy).

Other notable winners included Foursquare Distillery’s Equidem 14 YO Rum (Rum Trophy), Hawkridge Distillers’ Sexy Fish Vodka (Vodka Trophy), Hermitage 1995 Vintage Cognac (Cognac Trophy), Marquis de Montesquiou XO (Armagnac Trophy), and Espiritu Montaraz Ancestral Pechuga Mole Mezcal (Mezcal Trophy). Tanteo Tequila Blanco also stood out as this year’s Tequila Trophy winner.

Beyond the classics, categories such as liqueurs and regional spirits were also recognised. Orahovica’s Martin Albus Od Ljesnjaka Hazelnut Liqueur won the Liqueur Trophy, while Chuko Distillery’s Awamori Shochu triumphed in the Shochu Trophy.