The medal winners of the fourth New Zealand Spirits Awards have been announced.
This year saw an increase in the number of categories from seven to 15; with whisky and gin expanding to reflect the complexities within the categories.
The number of entries from gin alone increased from 145 last year to 235, and of those, 185 were locally produced, according to organisers.
Twenty-three Double Gold medals and 44 Gold medals were awarded to stand-out entries.
“The success of the New Zealand spirits industry benefits a far wider spectrum than just our distillers – our supporting industries join us in our growth,” says Dr Sue James, Chairperson, Distilled Spirits Aotearoa (NZ) Inc.
“This year we established a partnership with NZ School of Wines and Spirits (supported by WSET), as part of our shared commitment to advance education and training in spirits,” she says.
“Judges, distillers, restaurant and bar staff alike will benefit from formal alcohol beverage qualifications and uplift the industry.”
The awards’ judges – including The Shout NZ writer Tash McGill, Head Judge of the Dark Spirits Panel – said they were “impressed and inspired by the meticulous spirits presented and the adventurous exploration of flavour”.
The 2022 Gold medal results are:
Vodka
Double Gold
Broken Heart Spirits – Broken Heart Vodka
Gold
42below – 42below Vodka
Gorilochka – Vodka Gorilochka Wheat 500ml
Herrick Creek – Smokin’ Right Rear Cinnamon Moonshine
Reefton Distilling Co. – Wild Rain Vodka
Whiskey
Double Gold
Bruichladdich – Bruichladdich Classic Laddie
Jura – Jura 18
Mars – Mars Cosmo
Bruichladdich – Port Charlotte 10
Smokehead – Smokehead Islay Single Malt Whisky High Voltage
Teeling – Teeling Pot Still
Gold
Divergence Single Malt NZ Whisky – Sloe Barrel Finished
Highland Park – Highland Park 18
Jack Daniels – Jack Daniel’s Bottled in Bond
Talisker – Talisker 10YO
The New Zealand Whisky Collection – The Otago 30YO
Waiheke Whisky – Bog Monster
Waiheke Whisky – Dyad – Chardonnay
Waiheke Whisky – Moss
Wild Turkey – Wild Turkey Rye Whiskey
Woodford Reserve – Woodford Reserve Key
Gin
Double Gold
Kyoto Distillery – Ki No Tea
1919 Distilling – 1919 Classic Gin
Holland Road – Sauvignon Blanc & Green Tea
Vicar’s Son Gin – Navy Strength
Vicar’s Son Gin – Revelation
Vicar’s Son Gin – Without Sin
Gold
1919 Distilling – 1919 Pineapple Bits
5 Mile Gin – 5 Mile Gin
Awildian – Coromandel Dry Gin
Broken Heart Spirits – Broken Heart Pinot Noir Gin
Drumshanbo – Gunpowder Irish Gin
Elsewhere Gin – Central Otago
Elsewhere Gin – Endeavour Inlet
Good George – Good George For Fuck Sake’s 2021
Holland Road – Pink Grapefruit & Kawakawa
Juno – 2022 Autumn
New Zealand Gin Day – New Zealand Gin Day Souvenir Gin
No8 Distillery – No8 Horopito gin
Reefton Distilling Co. – Little Biddy Gin – Classic
The National Distillery – NZ Dry
Vicar’s Son Gin – Ascension
Vicar’s Son Gin – London Dry
Waitoki Washhouse Distillery – Waitoki Washhouse Fresh
Rhubarb Gin
Waitoki Washhouse Distillery – Waitoki Washhouse Original
Citrus Gin
Whitley Neill – Whitley Neill Quince Gin
Brandies
Double Gold
Remy Martin – Remy Martin XO
Gold
Elsewhen – Elsewhen Applejack
Tequila/Agave Spirits
Double Gold
Herradura – Herradura Plata
Liqueurs
Gold
Amarula – Amarula Cream
Barlovska Barlovska – Blackberry
Cointreau – Cointreau
Rum Co. of Fiji – Ratu Signature Blend
The Damson Collection – Damson Plum Liqueur
Rum
Double Gold
Broken Heart Spirits – Broken Heart Spiced Rum
The Alchemist’s Distillery – Golden Rum
Mount Gay – Mount Gay XO
Gold
Appleton Estate – Appleton Estate Reserve Blend
Brugal – Brugal 1888
Cane – Overproof
Dead Man’s Fingers – Dead Man’s Fingers Hemp Rum
Flor de cana – Flor de cana 12
Havana Club – Havana Club 7yo
Mount Gay – Mount Gay Black Barrel
Spirited Union – Queen Pineapple & Spiced
For a full list of medal winners, click here.
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