Kiwi distillers shine at NZ Spirits Awards 2021
New Zealand distillers have beaten some of the biggest global spirits names to take top Trophies at the NZ Spirits Awards 2021.
The awards, which are open to spirits brands from around the world, attracted 344 entries for this year’s event. Medal winners were announced in late May, with Trophy winners in the seven categories revealed at a black-tie event in Auckland in late June.
New Zealand vodka, gin and baijiu were deemed world-class by the panel of independent judges with Reefton Distilling Co. (Wild Rain Vodka), Elemental Distillers (Roots Marlborough Dry Gin) and Taizi (Taizi NZ Baijiu) scooping the Trophies for ‘Best Overall’ as well as ‘Best NZ’ in their respective categories.
The full list of Trophy Winners is below:
Vodka
Best Overall in Category: Wild Rain Vodka
Best NZ in Category: Wild Rain Vodka
Whisky
Best Overall in Category: Talisker 10 Year Old
Best NZ in Category: Thomson Local Folk & Smoke Single Cask
Gin
Best Overall in Category: Roots Marlborough Dry Gin
Best NZ in Category: Roots Marlborough Dry Gin
Rum
Best Overall in Category: Havana Club 7 Year Old
Best NZ in Category: Lunatic & Lover Barrel Rested Botanical Rum
Brandies
Best Overall in Category: Martell Cordon Bleu
Best NZ in Category: no trophy awarded
Liqueurs
Best Overall in Category: RATU 8 Year Old Signature Blend
Best NZ in Category: L’Opera
Botanicals & Other Spirits
Best Overall in Category: Taizi New Zealand Baijiu
Best NZ in Category: Taizi New Zealand Baijiu
Additional Awards
Master Cask New Zealand Innovation Award: McJaggery White Rum
Viniquip New Zealand Design Packaging Award: Lunatic & Lover Barrel Rested Botanical Rum
Long Story Short New Zealand Emerging Product Award: Mt Fyffe Distillery Botanical Gin
