The Champion Trophies in the New Zealand Spirits Awards 2023 have been announced, with New Zealand gins dominating the Best Overall in Category awards.

The Trophies for Best Overall in Category and Best New Zealand in Category were presented at a Gala dinner in Auckland on 9 June. Medallists had been announced in May.

In its fifth year, this year’s Awards attracted 426 entries from 24 countries – 281 of those entries being products from New Zealand.

Gin was by far the biggest category by entries, with 241 submissions from local and international gin brands. The next biggest was Whiskey with 52 entries.

Gins from New Zealand distillers Clarity, Roots, and Good George each won a Trophy for Best Overall in Category in the Gin section.

2023 NZ Spirits Awards - Champion Trophy Winners

WHISKEY – NORTH AMERICAN
Best Overall In Category: Jim Beam Black (USA) 

WHISKY – TRADITIONAL (Scottish/Irish)
Best Overall In Category: Talisker 10 (Scotland)

WHISKY – WORLD
Best Overall In Category: Wemyss Peat Chimney Blended Malt (Wales)
Best New Zealand In Category: Waiheke Whisky Cantankerous (Double Gold) (NZ)

GIN – LONDON DRY
Best Overall In Category: Clarity 2023 Gin (NZ)

GIN – CONTEMPORARY/ NAVY STRENGTH
Best Overall In Category: Roots Norwester Navy Strength Gin (NZ)

GIN – FLAVOURED/AGED
Best Overall In Category: Good George Distiller's Series - Taurus - Orange Blossom and Manuka Honey (NZ)

RUM
Best Overall In Category: Bacardi Oro (Puerto Rico)
Best New Zealand In Category: National Distillery Company Golden Rum (NZ)

RUM – SPICED/BOTANICAL
Best Overall In Category: Plunders Original Caribbean Rum 700ml (UK)
Best New Zealand In Category: Broken Heart Spirits – Broken Heart Spiced Rum

OTHER – LIQUEURS
Best Overall In Category: Barlovska – Blackberry (NZ)

OTHER – BOTANICAL AND OTHER SPIRITS
Best Overall In Category: Hastings Distillers Rubis Rouge Vermouth (Double Gold) (NZ) 

OTHER – AGAVE SPIRITS
Best Overall In Category: Del Maguey Chichicapa (Mexico)

VODKA – VARIETAL
Best Overall In Category: ZOA Vodka (NZ)

VODKA – FLAVOURED/AGED
Best Overall In Category: Black Collar Chocolate Vodka (Double Gold) (NZ)

BRANDY – COGNAC
Best Overall In Category: Lheraud Cognac VSOP Limited Edition No 2 (France)

BRANDY – BRANDY
Best Overall In Category: Rough Hands – Elsewhen Singularity (NZ)

EMERGING PRODUCT AWARD
Best Overall In Category: NZ Gin Day – Souvenir Gin

PACKAGING AWARD
Best Overall In Category: Strange Nature Gin

W: Find the full medal and trophy results online at spiritsawardsnz.nz