Overview: South Australia’s Two Cats Distillery has claimed the top prize for its Maine Coon London Dry Gin at the prestigious TopShelf Awards Gala in San Francisco. The family-run operation secured a Double Gold medal with a score of 98 points out of 100 against more than 5,000 entries in a blind taste test.
The Full Story
Craig Williams expressed surprise at the achievement, noting that the couple never imagined standing on stage at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition just a few years after starting with a home-based 100-litre still. The distillery opened nearly four years ago and released its first batch in March 2023 before moving into a larger production facility in Newton in 2025 due to strong demand. A tasting room is scheduled to open within three weeks of the article date, specifically on November 28.
Production & Profile
The Maine Coon London Dry Gin was described by judges as herbaceous and boisterous on the nose with a bold, balanced, and complex taste on the palate. The spirit currently retails for $85 AUD and is available exclusively in Australia through direct distillery sales.
Brand & Industry History
Craig and Theresa Williams operate the family-run distillery located in Newton, South Australia, just 25 minutes away from the CBD. They distilled their first batch of gin in March 2023 before releasing it in October that same year. The brand is expected to open its newly renovated facility to the public on November 28, just in time for Christmas.
What This Means
For a small South Australian distillery like ours, this recognition means much as a reflection of the passion, dedication and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle made. It demonstrates the ability to make gin that stands out amongst the world’s best.
Consumer Takeaway
The award-winning range is currently available only directly from the distillery, making it exclusive to Australia. Consumers can visit the tasting room once completed within three weeks of the article date to experience the product firsthand.
Source: Read the original article
