Overview: Australia’s best distilleries were celebrated last night at the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards, one of the largest spirits competitions in the Southern Hemisphere. South Australia’s St Agnes Distillery registered a strong performance, claiming two trophies for Champion Large Australian Distiller and Best Brandy for St Agnes XO 15 Year Old.
The Full Story
Managing Director Richard Angove described the recognition as an “incredible honour.” He noted that these awards reflect the passion and commitment of the distilling and maturation teams, who continue to build on the legacy established more than 100 years ago. St Agnes XO 15 Year Old is a brandy the company is immensely proud of, and this recognition reinforces Australia’s place among the world’s great producers of aged spirits.
The Champion Medium Australian Distiller award went to Queensland’s Nil Desperandum Rum, which also won Best Rum for The Triple Six. Meanwhile, Maidenii claimed the titles of Champion Small Australian Distiller and Champion Victorian Distiller. Island Coast Spirits of Tasmania claimed the final domestic distillery title for Champion Nomad Distiller, while Distillerie Bonne Mère of Guadeloupe, France, won the inaugural Champion International Distiller in the first year the competition opened to international entrants.
Cipriani White Peach Bellini from Italy also claimed Best Ready to Serve Pre-Mix or Spritz. Melbourne Royal Senior Manager, Food & Beverage Awards, Kirrily Waldhorn, said the calibre of entries and expansion of categories marks a significant progression in the evolution of the Awards. 2026 marked an exciting new chapter for the competition, with international spirits producers officially joining the awards and the introduction of the new Gin & Tonic category recognising the enduring popularity of this classic serve.
This category was won by Bunker Distillery’s Traditional Dry Gin mixed with Strangelove Coastal Tonic. Waldhorn continued: “The exceptional calibre of entries demonstrated the incredible quality, craftsmanship and innovation being achieved by distillers both in Australia and around the world. Winning a Melbourne Royal trophy or medal remains a significant achievement, providing producers with an internationally recognised mark of excellence that resonates with both trade and consumers.”
In addition to the Champion Distiller and Gin & Tonic awards, the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards recognised more than 20 individual spirit categories. Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky claimed Best Grain Whisky alongside a Consistency of Excellence Awards after demonstrating exceptional quality over multiple years. The other two whisky awards both went to Fleurieu Distillery, with Tapestry being named Best Australian Single Malt and Bird, the collaboration released in partnership with Bird in Hand Winery, wasnamed Best Blended Malt.
In addition to Maidenii, St Agnes, Nil Desperandum, Archie Rose, and Fleurieu, the only other distilleries to win multiple trophies were Never Never, for Champion Australian Gin and Best London Dry Gin, and Ester Spirits, for Best Other Gin and Best Bitter or Vermouth. Ester Spirits recently welcomed new investment from James France, founder of Vanguard Luxury Brands.
20260727_SDP_0137_SD [/media/images/20260727_SDP_0137_SD.width-800.jpg] Judging was led by newly appointed Co-Head Judges, Sebastian Reaburn and Holly Klintworth. Reaburn, who is an award-winning distiller recognised nationally and internationally for his work across production and hospitality, said: “The judging process revealed an impressive level of precision, creativity and technical excellence across the entries. From traditional styles through to innovative expressions, the awards highlighted the skill and dedication producers bring to every bottle.”
Holly Klintworth, Managing Director of Bass & Flinders Distillery, added: “What stood out this year was the diversity of producers and the stories behind their spirits. From emerging distilleries to established names, the 2026 entries reflected the passion, innovation and ambition driving the next chapter of the Australian spirits industry.”
Production & Profile
The awards recognized a diverse range of spirit types and production styles across the region. St Agnes Distillery in South Australia produced the winning Brandy expression, St Agnes XO 15 Year Old. Nil Desperandum Rum from Queensland secured titles for The Triple Six. Archie Rose Distilling Co, New South Wales, was recognized for Rye Malt Whisky. Fleurieu Distillery, South Australia, won Best Australian Single Malt Whisky with Tapestry and Best Blended Malt Whisky with Bird.
Gin production saw significant success across multiple states. Never Never Distilling Co from South Australia claimed Champion Australian Gin and Best London Dry Gin with Triple Juniper Gin. Ester Spirits from New South Wales won Best Other Gin and Best Bitter or Vermouth. Bunker Distillery, New South Wales, took the new Gin & Tonic category for Traditional Dry Gin mixed with Strangelove Coastal Tonic.
Brand & Industry History
The 2026 competition marked an exciting new chapter for the awards, with international spirits producers officially joining the competition. Distillerie Bonne Mère of Guadeloupe, France, won the inaugural Champion International Distiller title in the first year the competition opened to international entrants. St Agnes Distillery noted that their recognition reinforces a legacy established more than 100 years ago. Additionally, Ester Spirits recently received investment from James France, founder of Vanguard Luxury Brands.
What This Means
The expansion of categories marks a significant progression in the evolution of the Awards. Kirrily Waldhorn noted that the introduction of the new Gin & Tonic category recognises the enduring popularity of this classic serve. Sebastian Reaburn stated that the judging process revealed an impressive level of precision, creativity and technical excellence across the entries. Holly Klintworth added that the diversity of producers and the stories behind their spirits reflected the passion, innovation and ambition driving the next chapter of the Australian spirits industry.
Consumer Takeaway
Winning a Melbourne Royal trophy or medal remains a significant achievement, providing producers with an internationally recognised mark of excellence that resonates with both trade and consumers. The awards highlighted the skill and dedication producers bring to every bottle, from traditional styles through to innovative expressions. St Agnes XO 15 Year Old is a brandy the company is immensely proud of, reinforcing Australia’s place among the world’s great producers of aged spirits.
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