The results of this years International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2021 have been revealed!

This year, there were over 1000 gins entered, with the Contemporary gin category showing the biggest growth.

IWSC Gin Judges included Master Distiller of Beefeater, Desmond Payne OBE; and the founder of the Gin Foundry (now Spirits Society), Olivier Ward, with the judging panels overseen by esteemed gin expert, David T Smith.

Overall 86 countries submitted spirits to the competition with around 60% of entries received a medal, from bronze to the highest accolade of gold outstanding. 

Australian Gin Distillers performed well against stiff competition, achieving 96 medals, up from 64 in 2020. These include 6 Gold medals (-4 from 2020) 50 Silvers (+15 from 2020) and 40 Bronze medals (+21 from 2020).

Victoria topped the States with 22 medals, followed by South Australia with 21. New South Wales won 12, followed by Western Australia with 9 medals. Queensland and Tasmania scored 8 medals apiece, while NT picked up one medal.

In addition Aussies won 2 Gold Medals, 6 Silvers and 9 Bronze medals in the Gin and Tonic category (not included in the above totals).

I’m so proud of what the Australian gin industry is achieving on the global stage. Just for context here are the results from the past few years.

2016: 12 medals

2017: 25 medals

2018: 38 medals

2019: 33 medals

2020: 64 medals

2021: 94 medals

Here is a round up of the medallists.

GOLD OUTSTANDING AND TROPHY

98-100 Points

‘An outstanding spirit with a naturally exceptional balance, complexity and power. An example that immediately sets itself apart from others in the category.‘

Karu Distillery Lightning Gin (NSW) ~(Contemporary category)

What the judges said:

Layered and compelling, juniper and spice run alongside other botanicals. Great mouthfeel with citrus at the fore and good botanical boldness. With added water, the floral parts open up a lot with waves of spice. 

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*On July 5th it was announced that Karu Distillery won the Contemporary category Trophy!

What makes this achievement all the more special is, like many distillers, Nick and Ally have had a challenging 18 months.

In January 2020, they had to evacuate their distillery due to the bushfires. Then in March 2020, COVID struck.

THEN in March 2021 the distillery was completely cut off due to flooding. (This was the weekend of the Fever Tree Gin and Tonic Festival in Sydney, which meant they couldn’t access stock!)

I’ve never got anything other than massive smiles and positivity from these two who NEVER complain. I could not be more delighted at their well-deserved success.

Ally, you are bloody legend and an inspiration.

GOLD MEDAL

95-100 Points

‘An excellent spirit with an exceptional balance and rare and complex flavours. An example that stands out against its peers.‘

Old Young’s Common Gin (WA) ~ (Contemporary category)

What the judges said:

“Juniper, juniper and juniper alongside bright, fresh pine! Super creamy texture with some layered complexity and a long, balanced finish. Very Australian and very good.“

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Seppeltsfield Road Distillers 2020 Barossa Shiraz Gin (SA) ~ (Other Flavoured gin category)

What the judges said:

“Richly pigmented with peppery spices. The fruit adds sweetness to the palate and the subtle undertones of botanicals are very well balanced and integrated. Bold and expertly executed.“

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Never Never Distilling Argo Gin (SA)(release date TBC)

Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin (VIC)~ (Other Flavoured gin category)

What the judges said:

“Silky and smooth, this is a well-balanced example. Ripe red fruit flavours mingle with waxy juniper and clean botanicals, ending on a bright herbal finish. Warming with a well-defined character.“

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Mountain Distilling Company Mountain Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)

What the judges said:

“Beautifully perfumed with nice juniper and supporting botanicals, hints of lemon and citrus on the nose. Bold complex character, well-rounded and creamy with nice sweetness and a spice and lemon flavour standing out in the taste. Very enjoyable.”

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SILVER MEDALS

90-94 points

‘An accomplished spirit with good balance, strong character and good complexity. A classic example of its style or variety.‘

Imperial Measures Distilling Ounce Gin Bold (SA) ~ (London Dry category)
Four Pillars Single Barrel (S30) (VIC) ~(Wood Finished/Rested, Cask Finish category)
That Spirited Lot Distillers Hawker Market Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Kangaroo Island Spirits Whisky Barrel Gin (SA) (Wood Finished/Rested, Cask Finish category)
Australian Distilling Co. Perth Gin ~ (Contemporary category)
Australian Distilling Co. Rhapsody Ruby Gin ~(Other Flavoured gin category)
Newy Distillery Signature Gin (NSW) ~ (Contemporary category)
The Melbourne Gin Company Single Shot Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
The West Winds Wild Plum Gin (WA) ~(Other Flavoured gin category)
Good Spirits Distilling Co. Troppo Top End Dry Gin (NSW) ~ (Contemporary category)
Anther Charismatica Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Mt. Uncle Distillery Botanic Australis Bushfire Smoked Gin (QLD)~(Other Flavoured gin category)
Archie Rose Distilling Distiller’s Strength Gin (NSW) ~ (Contemporary category)
Four Pillars Modern Australian Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Australian Distilling Co. Gold Coast Gin ~ (Contemporary category)
Kangaroo Island Spirits O Gin (SA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Dune Distilling Co. Lime & Green Tea Gin (WA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Wolf Lane Distillery Navy Strength Gin (QLD) ~ (Contemporary category)
Australian Distilling Co. Shiraz Gin ~ (Contemporary category)
Turner Stillhouse Three Cuts Distiller’s Release Gin (TAS) ~ (Contemporary category)
Turner Stillhouse Three Cuts Founder’s Release Gin (TAS) ~ (Contemporary category)
Never Never DistillingTriple Juniper Gin Export Strength (SA)~ (London Dry category)
Anther Australian Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Australian Distilling Co. Brisbane Gin ~ (Contemporary category)
Dasher + Fisher Meadow Gin (TAS) ~ (Contemporary category)
Impression Spirits Dry Gin (TAS) ~ (Contemporary category)
Newy Distillery Dry Gin (NSW) ~ (London Dry category)
Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Four Pillars Spiced Negroni Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Giniversity Botanical Gin (WA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Seven Seasons Green Ant Gin (SA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Seppeltsfield Road Distillers House Gin (SA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Kangaroo Island Spirits Wild Gin (SA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Mountain Distilling Company Lapalux Oblivion Gin (VIC) ~ (Other Flavoured gin category)
Old Young’s Six Seasons Gin (WA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Never Never Distilling Southern Strength Gin (SA) ~ (London Dry category)
Never Never Distilling Triple Juniper Gin (SA) ~ (London Dry category)
Wolf Lane Distillery Tropical Gin (QLD) ~ (Contemporary category)
Threefold Distilling Aromatic Gin (SA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Ester Dry Gin (NSW) ~ (Contemporary category)
Republic of Fremantle Distilling Full Bodied Gin (WA) ~ (London Dry category)
Cedar Fox Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Old Young’s Gingin Gin (WA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Never Never Distilling Mediterranean Gin (SA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Imperial Measures Distilling Ounce Gin Signature (SA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Twenty Third Street Distillery Red Citrus Gin (SA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Archie Rose Distilling Signature Dry Gin (NSW) ~ (Contemporary category)
Dune Distilling Co. Signature Gin (WA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Twenty Third Street Distillery Signature Gin (SA) ~ (Contemporary category)

BRONZE MEDALS

85-89 points

‘A perfectly well-made spirit which provides an enjoyable drinking experience. A good reflection of the category style.‘

Old Young’s Distillery 1829 gin (WA) ~ (London Dry category)
Karu Distillery Affinity Gin (NSW) ~ (Contemporary category)
Anther Goddess Strength Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Snowgum Distillery Blue Tongue Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Australian Distilling Co Bondi Gin ~ (Contemporary category)
Four Pillars Distillery Rare Dry Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Four Pillars Distillery X Stranger & Sons Spice Trade Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Kangaroo Island Spirits Old Tom Gin (SA) (Old Tom category)
Archie Rose Distilling Outside Gin (WA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Stony Creek Farm Distillery The Commissioning Gin (NSW) ~ (London Dry category)
Brisbane Distillery 2020 Christmas Muscat Barrel Gin (QLD) ~(Wood Finished/Rested, Cask Finish category)
Manly Spirits Co. Australian Dry Gin (NSW) ~ (Contemporary category)
Mt. Uncle Distillery Botanic Australis Northern Gem Gin (QLD) ~ (Contemporary category)
The Melbourne Gin Company Dry Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Poor Toms Fool’s Cut Gin (NSW) ~ (Contemporary category)
Australian Distilling Co. Geelong Gin ~ (Contemporary category)
Never Never Distilling Ginache Gin (SA) ~(Other Flavoured gin category)
Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery Greenhouse Gin (QLD) ~ (Contemporary category)
That Spirited Lot Distillers Ninch Dry Gin(VIC)~ (Contemporary category)
Prohibition Liquor Shiraz Barrel Aged Gin (SA) ~(Wood Finished/Rested, Cask Finish category)
Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery Two Pencils Gin (QLD) ~ (London Dry category)
Republic of Fremantle Distilling Aromatic Gin (WA) ~ (Contemporary category)
Australian Distilling Co. Darwin Craft Gin ~ (Contemporary category)
Dasher + Fisher Sloe Gin (TAS) ~(Sloe gin category)
Dasher + Fisher Strawberry Gin (TAS) ~(Other Flavoured gin category)
Four Pillars Distillery Chardonnay Barrel Gin (VIC) ~(Wood Finished/Rested, Cask Finish category)
Four Pillars Distillery Sherry Cask Gin (VIC) ~(Wood Finished/Rested, Cask Finish category)
Turner Stillhouse Three Cuts Pinot Barrel Rested Gin (TAS) ~(Wood Finished/Rested, Cask Finish category)
Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery 65 Miles Gin (QLD) ~ (Contemporary category)
Finders Distillery Australian Dry Gin (NSW) ~ (London Dry category)
Snowgum Distillery Classic Dry Gin (VIC) ~ (London Dry category)
Australian Distilling Co. Fremantle Gin ~ (Contemporary category)
Archie Rose Distilling Inside Gin (NSW) ~ (Contemporary category)
Naught Distilling Australian Dry Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Prohibition Liquor Co. Navy Strength Gin (SA)~ (Contemporary category)
Prohibition Liquor Co. Original Gin ~ (SA) (Contemporary category)
Brisbane Distillery Queensland Dry Gin (QLD) ~ (Contemporary category)
Four Pillars Distillery Navy Strength Gin (VIC) ~ (Contemporary category)
Poor Toms Strawberry Gin (NSW) ~(Other Flavoured gin category)
Turner Stillhouse Three Cuts Chardonnay Barrel Rested Gin (TAS) ~(Wood Finished/Rested, Cask Finish category)

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!