The Australian Gin Awards 2020 have named the country’s best Gins and it’s a tie. For the first time in the history of the annual competition, “no amount of arguing, voting and friendly shouting would put one gin in front of the other,” said the spirits showcase.
Never Never Distilling Co.’s Southern Strength Gin and Ester Spirits’ Strong Gin were announced as the Best in Show winners from the Australian Gin Awards 2020. The spirits come from opposite ends of the production spectrum, one from a well known successful distillery and one a newcomer. Nonetheless, it seems like both were more than deserving of the top honor.
“Big juniper, pure and clean. A good example of using that high ABV% and it works,” wrote the judges about Never Never Distilling Co.’s Southern Strength Gin. The spirit also took home Best in Class for the Classic Dry category.
Ester Spirits’ Strong Gin was praised as, “A super gin, full flavoured and great body. We enjoyed the botanical mix. Elevated juniper, a very clean palate and nose at this ABV. Great effort.” It also won Best in Class for the Strong Gin category.
The Australian Gin Awards 2020 also announced Best in Class winners across four other categories, six in total:
Imperial Measures Distilling Ounce ‘Signature’ Gin won Best in Class in the Contemporary Style category. “Lovely crisp juniper nose, which follows through to a well-rounded palate,” said the judges. “Well balanced with hints of spice and cardamom on the finish.”
In the Matured Gin category, The West Winds Gin’s Sur Lie Gin took home the Best in Class prize. The judges stated, “We found this to be an elegant gin on the nose and palate. It was well balanced overall and showed a great deal of finesse in marrying barrel to gin.”
Settlers Spirits’ Old Tom Gin topped the Old Tom Gin category. The judges called it, “A really well balanced gin, bright and lifted nose. Appreciated the juniper forward nature of this gin and pleasant spice.”
Finally, The West Winds Gin added to its trophy collection when its Wild Plum expression was awarded Best in Class in the flavored Gin category.”An exceptional example of the category and specifically a ‘sloe-style’ gin,” wrote the judges.
