Overview: Australian distilleries have secured top honours at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, with significant wins in gin, rum, and whisky categories. The awards mark a significant milestone for independent producers across South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania.
The Full Story
Two Cats Distillery has been named world’s best gin at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, with Maine Coon London Dry taking out the Best Gin and Overall Gin award. At the same Top Shelf Awards Gala in San Francisco on Sunday night, Two Cats’ The Distiller’s Cat Signature was awarded the equivalent title at the Tasting Alliance’s sister event, the 2026 Asia World Spirits Competition. This achievement reinforces the strength of Australian gin, with fellow independent Australian distillery 30 Knots Spirits named Best New Gin at the competition.
In the rum category, Nil Desperandum’s The Double Dunder was named Best of Class in the Best Aged Rum category at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The result builds on a strong year for Nil Desperandum, which was named Champion Australian Distiller (Medium) and awarded The Raymond ‘Spike’ Dessert III Trophy for Best Rum at the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards. Tasmania’s Callington Mill Distillery secured its second consecutive ‘Best of Class’ Australian Single Malt Whisky title this time for El Sol, marking the distillery’s third Best of Class win at the competition following previous victories in 2023 and 2025.
Callington Mill Oloroso was also named among the top five finalists for Best Australian Single Malt, alongside Starward’s Pinot Cask Australian and Single Barrel 16794, and Coburns’ At Last – Founders Trilogy. Judges praised Callington Mill El Sol, a 46% ABV single malt matured in ex-Sherry casks from Jerez, for its aromas of freshly polished wood and rich toffee, alongside notes of tobacco, oak and cocoa on the palate.
Production & Profile
The Double Dunder is crafted in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland using wild yeast fermentation and double copper pot distillation before maturation in ex-bourbon and sherry casks. The whisky from Callington Mill, El Sol, is available in Australia at an RRP of $149 per 700ml bottle. Nil Desperandum’s Double Dunder retails for $250 and received a Double Gold medal score of 98 points, while Nil Desperandum also collected two gold and two silver medals.
Brand & Industry History
The awards mark a significant milestone for husband-and-wife founders Craig and Theresa Williams, who distilled their first batch of gin in a home-based still in March 2023 before releasing their first commercial products in October that year. Following strong demand growth, Two Cats moved into a larger distillery in Newton, South Australia, in 2025 which it plans to open to the public on 28 November. Callington Mill founder John Ibrahim noted that to be awarded Best of Class at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition once was an honour; to win it back-to-back proves the consistency and calibre of their distilling team.
What This Means
Craig Williams said: “When we started with a home-based 100-litre still, we never imagined we’d be standing on stage at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition just a few years later. For a small South Australian distillery like ours, this recognition means so much. It’s a reflection of the passion, dedication and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle we make, and it shows we can make gin that stands out amongst the world’s best.” The Double Dunder founder Matt Hobson added: “We set out to make Australia’s finest rum that could proudly be compared with the best in the world; rum made from sugarcane grown on Queensland’s ancient, fertile volcanic plains and nurtured by Australian sunshine and rain.”
Consumer Takeaway
Consumers can expect high-calibre spirits from Newton, South Australia, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland, and Tasmania. The Double Dunder is available for $250, while Callington Mill El Sol is priced at $149 per 700ml bottle. Two Cats plans to open its larger distillery in Newton to the public on 28 November, offering further access to these award-winning products.
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