Australia’s best whiskies, gins, vodkas and rums have been crowned at the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards (AISA).
Among this year’s standout winners is Bird, the blended malt whisky created through a collaboration between Mark Bouris (below), South Australia’s Fleurieu Distillery and Bird in Hand Winery, which claimed the trophy for Best Blended Malt Whisky.
Top honours were also awarded to St Agnes Distillery (SA) as Champion Large Australian Distiller who also won Best Brandy for its St Agnes XO – 15YO, Nil Desperandum Rum (QLD) as Champion Medium Australian Distiller, and Victorian producer Maidenii, which secured both Champion Small Australian Distiller and Champion Victorian Distiller. Island Coast Spirits (TAS) was also recognised as Champion Australian Nomad Distiller.
Marking the first year the awards were formally open to international spirits producers, Distillerie Bonne Mère (Guadeloupe, France) was crowned Champion International Distiller, Cipriani White Peach Bellini from Italy claimed Best Ready to Serve Pre-Mix or Spritz and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Teremana Añejo Tequila was awarded Best Tequila or Agave Spirit.
Australia’s Best Gin & Tonic
Gin also took centre stage at the 2026 awards, with the introduction of a new Gin & Tonic category recognising the enduring popularity of the classic serve while providing a practical assessment of product performance.
Bunker Distillery’s (NSW) Traditional Dry Gin claimed the inaugural Best Gin & Tonic trophy mixed with Strangelove Coastal Tonic.
Melbourne Royal Senior Manager, Food & Beverage Awards Kirrily Waldhorn said: “2026 marked an exciting new chapter for the competition, with international spirits producers officially joining the awards and the introduction of our new Gin & Tonic category recognising the enduring popularity of this classic serve.”
Across the remaining gin categories, Never Never Distilling Co.’s Triple Juniper Gin (SA) was named Best London Dry Gin, Northern Distilling’s Troppo Yuzu Gin (NT) won Best New World/Contemporary Gin, Hold Fast Distillery’s Man O’ War (NSW) claimed Best Navy Gin, Brogan’s Way Distillery’s Strawberries & Cream Gin (VIC) took out Best Fruit or Wine/Grape
Gin, and Ester Spirits’ Old Tom Gin (NSW) was awarded Best Other Gin.
The competition also recognised excellence across more than 20 individual spirit categories, with Australian favourites continuing to impress. Archie Rose Distilling Co. (NSW) claimed Best Grain Whisky for its Rye Malt Whisky, Saint Felix Distillery (VIC) was awarded Best Unflavoured Vodka for Midnight Vodka, while Melbourne’s Marionette took home Best Liqueur for its Caretaker’s Cottage Black Forest.
Timbertide (WA) was also recognised for outstanding packaging, winning Best Design for its Single Cask release.
“The exceptional calibre of entries demonstrated the incredible quality, craftsmanship and innovation being achieved by distillers both in Australia and around the world,” Waldhorn said.
“Winning a Melbourne Royal trophy or medal remains a significant achievement, providing producers with an internationally recognised mark of excellence that resonates with both trade and consumers.”
Co-Head Judge Sebastian Reaburn said: “The judging process revealed an impressive level of precision, creativity and
technical excellence across the entries. From traditional styles through to innovative expressions, the awards highlighted the skill and dedication producers bring to every bottle.”
Fellow Co-Head Judge Holly Klintworth said: “What stood out this year was the diversity of producers and the stories behind their spirits. From emerging distilleries to established names, the 2026 entries reflected the passion, innovation and ambition driving the next chapter of the Australian spirits industry.
2026 Champion Trophy winners
● Champion Large Australian Distiller — St Agnes Distillery, South Australia
● Champion Medium Australian Distiller — Nil Desperandum Rum, Queensland
● Champion Small Australian Distiller — Maidenii, Victoria
● Champion International Distiller — Distillerie Bonne Mère, Guadeloupe, France
● Champion Australian Nomad Distiller — Island Coast Spirits, Tasmania
● Champion Victorian Distiller — Maidenii, Victoria
Champion Category winners
● Champion Australian Gin — Triple Juniper Gin, Never Never Distilling Co, South Australia
● Champion Victorian Gin — Australian Dry Gin, Daylesford Spirit Distillery, Victoria
Consistency of Excellence Awards
Recognising products that have demonstrated exceptional quality over multiple years:
● Rye Malt Whisky — Archie Rose Distilling Co, New South Wales
● All Seasons Gin Liqueur — Imbue Distillery, Victoria
● Troppo Yuzu Gin — Northern Distilling, Northern Territory
● Hazelnut & Macadamia Liqueur — Prohibition Liquor Co, South Australia
Best in Class winners
Whisky
● Best Australian Single Malt Whisky — Tapestry, Fleurieu Distillery, South Australia
● Best Blended Malt Whisky — Bird, Bird in Hand & Fleurieu Distillery, South Australia
● Best Grain Whisky — Rye Malt Whisky, Archie Rose Distilling Co, New South Wales
Gin
● Best London Dry Gin — Triple Juniper Gin , Never Never Distilling Co, South Australia
● Best New World / Contemporary Gin — Troppo Yuzu Gin, Northern Distilling, Northern Territory
● Best Navy Gin — Man O’ War, Hold Fast Distillery, New South Wales
● Best Fruit or Wine/Grape Gin — Strawberries & Cream Gin, Brogan’s Way Distillery, Victoria
● Best Other Gin — Old Tom Gin, Ester Spirits, New South Wales
● Best Gin & Tonic — Traditional Dry Gin, Bunker Distillery, New South Wales
Vodka
● Best Unflavoured Vodka — Midnight Vodka, Saint Felix Distillery, Victoria
● Best Flavoured Vodka — SUNCHASER Dirty Vodka, Oakburn Distillery, Victoria
Brandy, Rum & Cane Spirits
● Best Brandy — St Agnes XO – 15YO, St Agnes Distillery, South Australia
● Raymond B ‘Spike’ Dessert III Trophy for Best Rum — The Triple Six, Nil Desperandum Rum, Queensland
● Best Cane Spirit — Virgin Cane Spirit, Burdekin Rum, Queensland
Tequila & Agave
● Best Tequila or Agave Spirit — Teremana Tequila Añejo, Destilería Teremana De Agave, Jalisco, Mexico
Liqueurs, Bitters & Alternative Spirits
● Best Liqueur — Caretaker’s Cottage Black Forest, Marionette, Victoria
● Best Alternative Spirit — Absinthe Verte, Cedar Fox Distilling Co, Victoria
● Best Bitter or Vermouth — Alternativo Aperitivo, Ester Spirits, New South Wales
Ready to Serve
● Best Ready to Serve Cocktail — Pornstar Martini, Good George Distilling Co, Waikato, New Zealand
● Best Ready to Serve Pre-Mix or Spritz — Cipriani White Peach Bellini, Cipriani Bellini, Italy
Design
● Best Design — Single Cask, Timbertide, Western Australia
Trade will have the opportunity to taste this year’s entries and winners at the Exhibitor & Trade Tasting on Tuesday 28 July at
Melbourne Showgrounds.
Bringing together more than 1000 Australian and international spirits, the event offers attendees the chance to discover award-winning products, emerging trends and connect with leading distillers and producers, alongside masterclasses led by industry experts including Co-Head Judges Sebastian Reaburn and Holly Klintworth.
For more information about the Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards, visit
melbourneroyal.com.au/spirits
Pictured main: Kirrily Waldhorn, co-head judge Sebastian Reaburn, Fleurieu Distillery‘s Gareth and Angela Andrews and Luke McCarthy.