Aussie distillers triumph at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition

A strong performance from Australian distillers at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards (SFWSC) saw products from 17 separate distilleries awarded Double Gold.

Held over four days at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco from April 13 - 15, the 2023 competition had a record-breaking 5,500 entries from all over the world.

Standout performers Wharf St Distillery and Ginny Pig Distillery were not only awarded Double Gold in the Gin category, but both were selected as one of the three Best in Class finalists.

The ultimate winner of the Best in Class and Best Overall Gin awards will be announced at the Top Shelf Awards Gala and Grand Tasting on June 16 and 17 at Resorts World in Las Vegas.

Tim Cooke, Co-Founder of Wharf St Distillery, said: "We are so thrilled to be recognised for our signature Citrus Gin. It's incredible to know the 75 judges blind-tasted so many gins and decided that ours was Top 3 - perhaps even number one. We woke to a story in Forbes magazine; that's a thrill in itself."

Ginny Pig Distillery's Botanic Gin, also in contention for the top spot, was described by the SFWSC Judging Panel as having "pronounced juniper notes and citrus notes on the nose. Sweet on the palate featuring juniper, citrus, and some slight earthy notes accompanied by a steadily growing pepperiness. Long, sweet juniper finish with a lingering chili-like pepperiness," as reported in Forbes Magazine.

Archie Rose led by volume, coming away with two Double Gold, one Gold, eight Silver and three Bronze medals, making the Sydney-based distillers the highest medal-winning Australian entrant.

Will Edwards, Founder of Archie Rose, said their triumph resulted from a dedication to innovation and excellence from the whole Archie Rose team.

"Taking home Double Gold for our Signature Dry Gin and Bone Dry Gin, and Gold for Stringybark Smoked Single Malt Whisky at SFWSA 2023, along with 11 other medals for our whiskies, gins, vodkas, and rums, reflects the innovation and fanatical excellence that the 120 strong Archie Rose team puts into every spirit, every day.

"We will continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of distilling in line with our goal to bring the highest quality Australian spirits to people everywhere," he said.

Known for its high quality judging panel, the competition is overseen by chief judge and renowned bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler, along with other industry experts.

Success was also enjoyed by the Australian Distilling Co., who won 10 awards, 78 Degrees, who won eight, and Mobius Distilling Co., who placed for all of their entries with seven medals in total.

Tim Gniel, Distiller & Operations Manager at 78 Degrees, said consistency was key for their eight wins, including Double Gold Medals for their Sunset Gin and Classic Gin and Gold Medals for Desert Gin and Bitter Orange.

"78 Degrees Sunset Gin also won a double gold and 'best in category' at the SFWSC in 2022, so it's great to see our products consistently rewarded year after year.

"This year's SFWSC results confirm that our spirits are considered some of the best in the world, and we're incredibly proud to represent Australia on an international level," he said.

Eve Crossley, General Manager at Mobuis Distilling Co., said previous success at SFWSC didn't prepare them for a swag of seven awards this time around.

"We have previously won awards in San Francisco for our Moreau Apple Pie Liqueur and our 38 Special Vodka. We were hoping these products would place again, but we are absolutely blown away that every single product was placed.

"It shows that our team works incredibly well together and that they're good at what they do. It shows that passion pays off. I'm very proud of my boys and their work creating such stellar drinks," she said.

Crossley said Mobius' three gold and four silver medals was a "massive team effort" involving experience, constant experimentation and passion for their craft.

"Our Head Distiller, Philip Crossley and Production Manager, Reg Papps, have over 60 years worth of distilling experience between them. They are sharing this knowledge with apprentice Sam Phillips, and although it is a lot of work, it often doesn't seem like it.

"Each of them has a passion for the craft that shows itself in the massive amount of experimentation that they do, often on a daily basis. I really think that this experimentation is core to who we are as a business," she said.

According to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition website, Gold Medal entries are deemed "exceptional spirits that are near the pinnacle of achievement."

Double Gold status is achieved when an entry receives a Gold Medal from all judges on the panel, making it among the finest products in the world.

Silver medal winners "represent outstanding spirits that show refinement, finesse, and complexity," Bronze medal winners are "well-crafted spirits that are commercially sound, modestly attractive, and free from significant flaws."

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