Melbourne Royal announces the return of the 2023 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards with fresh initiatives including a new head judge.
Established in 2015 and fully endorsed by the Australian Distillers Association, the Awards recognises excellence in Australian distilled spirits, liqueurs, and bitters
Attracting 863 entries from 227 exhibitors in 2022, this year seeks to break that record, with entries open from today until 23 June and the judging process to take place on 25 – 27 July 2023 at Melbourne Showgrounds.
Director of two of Australia's most awarded beverage brands, Maidenii Vermouth and Marionette Liqueurs, Shaun Byrne is Melbourne Royal’s new Head Judge for 2023.
Taking over from Seb Costello, Byrne brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience and extensive judging experience to the role. He has been involved in the Awards since its inception and has watched it grow over the past eight years as it evolved into Australia's most recognised spirits competition.
The judging panel includes some of the nation's most highly respected spirits and liqueurs industry professionals, from educators, writers, consultants, retailers, distributors, and distillers.
"To be asked to lead the judging as the Head Judge is a great honour and carries a weight of responsibility to ensure that entrants are receiving fair and valuable feedback and appropriate recognition of their products,' said Byrne.
"As a spirits producer, the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards are invaluable in receiving feedback on upcoming new products."
New to the Awards this year is the introduction of the Design Award, intended to highlight aesthetics, functionality, environmental impact, and novelty in spirits packaging. A panel of leading design industry experts will judge the category.
This year the Vodka category awards two trophies - Best Pure / Neutral Vodka Trophy and Best Flavoured Vodka Trophy – to acknowledge the growth within the category, while Best Fruit or Wine Gin will be recognised with its own trophy. Refinements have also been made to the definitions of rum, cane spirits, gin, and agave categories.
"Australia is now known as a premium spirit-producing country with enthusiastic producers creating sophisticated drops that are being lapped up by excited audiences around Australia and the world," said Damian Nieuwesteeg, Manager of Awards Programs Food, Beverage and Horticulture.
"As the industry evolves at a serious pace, the 2023 Awards sees us innovating to ensure that they remain relevant to industry and consumers.
"Medal and trophy winners can leverage their success and market medal-winning products using the Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirits Awards seal of excellence," said Nieuwesteeg.
The 2023 Awards also sees the return of the Exhibitor and Trade Tasting at Melbourne Showgrounds on Friday, 4 August, from 10 am until midday, following the announcement of results the night before. With upward of 800 entries, the tasting will be an unparalleled opportunity to sample, critique, and learn about contemporaries in the industry and to spruik to trade.
A cocktail-style Awards Trophy Presentation event will be held at the iconic Victoria Pavilion at Melbourne Showgrounds on Thursday, 3 August.
Spirit lovers can purchase tickets from today to taste award-winning spirits and cocktails and mingle with the distillers while hearing all the winner announcements.
Key Dates:
Entries Close: Friday, 23 June
Judging: Tuesday 25 July – Thursday 27 July
Awards Trophy Presentation: Thursday, 3 August
Exhibitor and Trade Tasting: Friday, 4 August
Visit melbourneroyal.com.au.
Share the content
