Starward becomes Most Awarded Distillery of the Year at San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Results from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024, released this morning, reflect the current strength of Australia’s spirits industry when compared to the world stage.

In total, Australia received 219 medals in the 2024 competition, making it the fourth most awarded nation behind only the USA with 1,295 medals, Mexico with 538, and the UK with 296. 

Included in Australia’s tally were 41 double golds, the competition’s highest accolade, 13 of which were claimed by Starward Whisky alone. This amount of Double Golds, which was greater than that of any other distillery from around the globe, saw Starward take home the prestigious title of Most Awarded Distillery of the Year for 2024. 

“To be consistently recognised at this calibre is gobsmacking, quite frankly," said Starward’s Founder David Vitale. 

"I started off with a simple vision; to create a distinctly approachable Australian whisky we can offer the world with pride. In our wildest dreams, the passionate and small team in Melbourne could not believe that this was an option , but now it’s a reality.”

“We are firmly stood alongside, and sometimes above…, the world’s most renowned spirits including whisky, gin, and tequila from countries such as Scotland, Japan, USA and UK. We promise to continue to push for Australian spirits and showcase our best on the global stage.”

Starward was also awarded eight platinum medals for its whiskies that had received double gold medals for the past three years in a row. 

Archie Rose is another distillery that performed strongly in the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, receiving awards across gin and whisky categories. This included double gold medals for its Signature Dry Gin and its Bone Dry Gin, a gold medal for its Single Malt Whisky, and a silver medal for its Rye Malt Whisky. Archie Rose Bone Dry Gin also received a platinum medal for the first time.

Another notable Australian performer was Morris Whisky, which received eight medals altogether including five double golds.

For more information and to download results, click here.