Entries are now open for the New Zealand Spirits Awards 2023.
Presented by Spirits New Zealand Inc. and Distilled Spirits Aotearoa (NZ) Inc. and now it is fifth year, the awards are a celebration of international and locally-made spirits.
Entries are open until Friday 14 April and are open to members and non-members of Distilled Spirits Aotearoa.
All products entered must be commercially available in New Zealand and the top spirits in each category will be recognised with bronze, silver, gold and double-gold medals as judged by panels of industry experts.
The best in each category is then recognised with a trophy awarded for Best New Zealand and Best Overall at a gala dinner in June.
Trophies are also awarded annually for the best New Zealand Emerging Product Award, New Zealand Packaging Design Award and New Zealand Innovation Award.
The categories are based upon the commonly held spirit groupings which define the style and process of spirit production.
All New Zealand made spirits entered into the NZ Spirits Awards must adhere to any DSA regulations (NZ Spirits Definitions – Distilled Spirits Aotearoa) for the identity of the entry category, pending introduction of FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) standards for Australia/NZ spirits.
Key Dates
- 24 February: 2023 New Zealand Spirits Awards entry submission opens
- 14 April: Tickets available for Gala Dinner
- 21 April: Deadline for judging samples to be received
- 2-5 May: NZ Spirits Awards Judging
- 11 May: Medal winners announced
- 31 May: Deadline for ticket sales – unless sold out prior
- 2 June: Tickets Distributed for Gala Dinner
- 9 June: Gala Dinner – Trophy winners announced
For more information and to enter, click here.
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