Trophy winners at 2024 NZ Spirits Awards
The top titles in the NZ Spirits Awards have been announced with 20 trophies awarded to the spirits judged the best of the best.
The sixth annual awards were hosted by industry bodies Spirits New Zealand and Distilled Spirits Aotearoa and presented at a gala dinner in Auckland on 13 September.
451 entries were blind-tasted and judged in Wellington in late July. The gold and double-gold medal winners in each category were then re-tasted and judged to find the trophy winners.
Trophy Winners – 2024 NZ Spirits Awards
Best Overall in Category – Whisky North American: Jack Daniels No.7 Bonded
Best Overall in Category – Whisky Traditional: Jameson Single Pot Still
Best Overall in Category – Whisky World: Starward Single Barrel Cognac Cask Finish
Best New Zealand in Category – Whisky World: Thomson Manuka Smoke Single Malt
Best Overall in Category – Gin London Dry: Sandymount Distillery Lovers Leap Dry Gin
Best Overall in Category – Gin Contemporary/Navy Strength: Strange Nature Gin
Best Overall in Category – Gin Flavoured: Roots Rosso Pinot Noir Gin
Best Overall in Category – Gin Aged: Awildian Coromandel Mānuka Honey Matured Gin
Best Overall in Category – Rum: Last Light Rum Cask Strength Solera Aged Rum
Best Overall in Category – White Rum: 1919 Distilling Cane Overproof
Best Overall in Category – Rum Spiced/Botanical: Helmsman Spiced Rum
Best Overall in Category – Liqueurs: Curiosity Gin Pinot Barrel Sloe
Best Overall in Category – Botanical & Other Spirits: Petrus Boonekamp Blood Bitter
Best New Zealand in Category – Botanical & Other Spirits: Matahui Distillery Fennel Liqueur
Best Overall in Category – Agave Spirits: Del Maguey Chichicapa
Best Overall in Category – Vodka Varietal: 42 Below Vodka
Best Overall in Category – Vodka Flavoured/Aged: National Distillery Company Aquifer Plateau Yuzu Vodka
Best Overall in Category – Vermouth: Villa M Rosso Vermouth
Best New Zealand in Category – Vermouth: Scapegrace Red Vermouth
Best Overall in Category – Brandy: Elsewhen Applejack
In addition to the trophies, three additional awards were presented:
New Zealand Packaging Design Award: Bluff Gin
Cue Marketing New Zealand Emerging Product Award: Last Light Solera Aged Rum
Liquorland New Zealand Innovation Award: Thomson Manuka Smoke Single Malt