South Australia’s Two Cats Distillery has won Best Gin at the prestigious 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Two Cats Distillery’s Maine Coon London Dry Gin was named the winner of Best Gin, Overall Gin during an Awards Gala in San Francisco on Sunday night. At the same ceremony, Two Cats Distillery also accepted the trophy for The Distiller’s Cat Signature Gin, named Best Gin, Overall Gin at the 2026 Asia World Spirits Competition.

It caps an extraordinary run for husband-and-wife founders Craig and Theresa Williams (above), who distilled their first batch of gin in a home-based still in March 2023. After further refinement, they released their first gins to the market in October 2023. Demand for their award-winning range grew so strongly that in 2025 they moved into a larger production distillery in Newton.

Craig Williams said: “When we started with a home-based 100-litre still, we never imagined we’d be standing on stage at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition just a few years later.

“For a small South Australian distillery like ours, this recognition means so much. It’s a reflection of the passion, dedication and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle we make, and it shows we can make gin that stands out amongst the world’s best.”

The awards come less than three weeks before Two Cats Distillery opens its new Newton distillery and tasting room to the public on Saturday 28 November, just in time for Christmas.

“Now we’re coming home to put the finishing touches on our new distillery and tasting room. We can’t wait to welcome South Australians, and visitors from further afield, to taste award-winning gin right where it’s made,” said Craig.

Two Cats Distillery gins are available online at twocatsdistillery.com.au and from the Newton cellar door.