NZ Spirits Awards trophies awarded

Written by Sep 15, 2024The Shout NZ

The best of the best of New Zealand Spirits have been awarded trophies at the NZ Spirits Awards gala dinner in Auckland over the weekend.

“For the 20 trophy winners it has been quite a journey,” says Spirits New Zealand Chief Executive, Robert Brewer. 

451 entries were blind-tasted and judged in Wellington in late July.  The gold and double-gold medal winners in each category were then re-tasted and judged to find the best of the best.  

“This was made all the more challenging this year because there were more gold and double gold medals than ever before – and more for NZ distilled product than has ever been seen,” says Brewer.

Robert Brewer

Out of the 79 gold and double golds awarded, 48 went to New Zealand distilled product, an increase of about 19% on the previous year.

“And when you consider that one entire category is for Scotch and Irish Traditional whiskey then the result is even more pronounced,” he says.

The Awards are hosted by industry bodies Spirits New Zealand and Distilled Spirits Aotearoa and sponsored by Fever-Tree. 

To celebrate the trophy winners in each category Fever-Tree have teamed up with The Churchill in Auckland from 14 to 28 September to highlight and show each winner.

Trophy Winner
Best Overall in Category – Whisky North American Jack Daniels No.7 Bonded
Best Overall in Category – Whisky Traditional Jameson Single Pot Still
Best Overall in Category – Whisky World Starward Single Barrel Cognac Cask Finish
Best New Zealand in Category  –  Whisky World Thomson Manuka Smoke Single Malt
Best Overal in Category – Gin London Dry Sandymount Distillery Lovers Leap Dry Gin
Best Overall in Category – Gin Contemporary/Navy Strength Strange Nature Gin
Best Overall in Category – Gin Flavoured Roots Rosso Pinot Noir Gin
Best Overall in Category – Gin Aged Awildian Coromandel Mānuka Honey Matured Gin
Best Overall in Category – Rum Last Light Rum Cask Strength Solera Aged Rum
Best Overall in Category –  White Rum 1919 Distilling Cane Overproof
Best Overall in Category – Rum Spiced/Botanical Helmsman Spiced Rum
Best Overall in Category –  Liqueurs Curiosity Gin Pinot Barrel Sloe
Best Overall in Category – Botanical & Other Spirits Petrus Boonekamp Blood Bitter
Best New Zealand in Category  – Botanical & Other Spirits Matahui Distillery Fennel Liqueur
Best Overall in Category – Agave Spirits Del Maguey Chichicapa
Best Overall in Category – Vodka Varietal 42 Below Vodka
Best Overall in Category – Vodka Flavoured/Aged National Distillery Company Aquifer Plateau Yuzu Vodka
Best Overall in Category – Vermouth Villa M Rosso Vermouth
Best New Zealand in Category – Vermouth Scapegrace Red Vermouth
Best Overall in Category – Brandy Elsewhen Applejack
New Zealand Packaging Design Award Bluff Gin
Cue Marketing New Zealand Emerging Product Award Last Light Solera Aged Rum
Liquorland New Zealand Innovation Award Thomson Manuka Smoke Single Malt

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