For the first time ever, Australian producers have been awarded Best Vodka, Best Whisky and Best Cabernet in the world at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition.
The 12th Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (HK IWSC) Gala Awards Ceremony were held on November 11, when Archie Rose Original Vodka received the trophy for Best Vodka and Starward Tawny Single Malt Whisky received the trophy for Best Worldwide Whisky 2020. Yarra Valley winery, Rob Dolan, won the worldwide trophy for Best Cabernet/Cabernet Blends 2020.
On receiving the Best Worldwide Whisky 2020 Trophy, Starward Founder, David Vitale said: “World’s Best is an award we’ll wear with a badge of honour and a huge smile. To be recognised amongst the world’s best producers and to come out as top of the charts is something truly humbling and buoying — showing that there is a true place in the world for Australian whisky.
"This specific whisky is a great example of our innovative ethos, it’s an example of what experimentation and a bit of ‘caution to the wind’ can produce. It’s Australian Whisky, it’s what we make it. Now, the world is celebrating it with us!”
Based in Melbourne, Starward distillers produced the much lauded Tawny Single Malt Whisky as part of Starward Projects, a program during which distillers were invited to experiment with different whiskies and create flavour forward and unique expressions.*
Archie Rose Founder, Will Edwards said: “Our Original Vodka is a truly Australian vodka made from 100% New South Wales grown wheat and twice carbon and RO-filtered Sydney water, so to be awarded best vodka overall in this prestigious global competition is testament to the quality of raw ingredients we have available in Australia and the care we take in all aspects of distillation and production.”
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