A RIVERLAND distillery tasted success at the recent Australian Distilled Spirit Awards, held in Melbourne.

Renmark-based St Agnes Distillery won Best Brandy for its St Agnes XO, which an awards spokesperson said had “aromas of citrus and stone fruits open to layers of candied fruits, as well as quince jelly and marmalade matched with integrated sweet oak”.

Now in its eighth year, the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards is Australia’s first and largest national awards program.

It recognises excellence in Australian distilled spirits, liqueurs, and aromatics.

This year saw a 12 per cent increase in entries from more than 208 exhibitors, with the 863 entries completing a record-breaking year for the awards.

The awards were judged by 42 accomplished experts in distilling, spirits retailing and writing from across the country.

The awards are run by Melbourne Royal, a member-based, not-for-profit organisation that was formed in 1848 with the purpose to celebrate agriculture, cultivate events and strengthen communities.

“The Australian Distilled Spirits Awards is regarded as Australia’s first and largest national award program that proudly recognises the long tradition of distilling in Australia, and the emergence of the new generation of spirits,” said Melbourne Royal CEO Brad Jenkins.

“Medal and trophy winners in the 2022 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards now have unique and valuable opportunities to leverage their success and market medal-winning products using the Melbourne Royal seal of excellence.” 

South Australia was a dominant force at the event, collecting a swag of awards, including the prestigious Champion Australian Distiller crown, taken out by Never Never Distilling Co, of McLaren Vale.