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

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