The end of April marked the biggest San Francisco World Spirits Competition in history, with a record 2,100 entries received. Among those triumphant were several of our own distilleries, including Bundaberg, Cape Byron, Beenleigh and Twenty-Third Street, which received a total of eleven medals.

Launched in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has grown to become one of the most influential and prestigious in the world, largely recognized for its judging panel of 43 spirits industry experts.

Bundaberg Distilling Company's received a Gold Medal with its Master Distillers’ Collection Solera, an accolade only given to products considered as 'exceptional' by the panel. Solera is the distillery's most intricate rum and also won Best Dark Rum in the World at the recent World Drinks Awards in London.

A relative newcomer to the local spirits industry, Cape Byron Distillery received Gold for its Brookie’s Byron Dry Gin. The gin was released in December last year and is made from native ingredients grown in the rainforest surrounding the distillery in Byron.

Also in Queensland and one of Australia’s oldest registered distilleries, Beenleigh Artisan Distillers picked up five medals with products across its portfolio.

Beenleigh 10-Year-Old Rum, Beenleigh White Rum, Beenleigh Port Barrel Rum and Beenleigh Vodka each received a Silver Medal, while Beenleigh Double Barrel Rum received a Bronze Medal.

Master Distiller Wayne Stewart said, "To win four silver medals and a bronze medal at such a prestigious world event is a most satisfying outcome and a tribute to our longstanding commitment to producing boutique spirits the traditional way."

South Australia's Twenty-Third Street Distillery won two double gold medals for its 23rd Street Not Your Nanna’s Brandy and Signature Gin, an award is only given when all 43 judges give the product a gold medal rating.

23rd Street’s Prime 5 Brandy was also awarded a gold medal at the same time as its Hybrid Whisky received a bronze medal.

Twenty Street Distillery’s Head Distiller Graham Buller said, “We are all celebrating here in Renmark what is truly an amazing achievement as it places our craft spirits right up there with the very best from across the globe, with an SFWSC medal recognised affirmation of high quality and one of the most reliable and universal indications of spirits excellence.”

St Agnes, Australia's oldest continually operating craft distillery, picked up both Gold and Double Gold Medals at the competition with two of its super premium brandies and organic gin. Its Blind Tiger Organic Gin and St Agnes 20 YO XO Imperial both won a Gold Medal, while the St Agnes 15YO XO received a Double Gold.

Read more at source: Drinks Bulletin