New Zealand Spirits Awards medal results tell a story of the growing quality of NZ Spirits
The spirits have been tasted, judging is completed and now the medal winners for the sixth annual NZ Spirits Awards have been released.
If there was one story worth highlighting, it’s that the results show New Zealand spirits are improving in quality year on year.
“There are more gold and double gold medals awarded to New Zealand distilled product than ever before,” said Spirits New Zealand Chief Executive, Robert Brewer.
Out of the 79 gold and double golds awarded 48 were to New Zealand distilled product, an increase of 19 percent on the previous year.
“When you consider that one entire category is for Scotch and Irish Traditional whiskey then the result is even more pronounced.”
The judging for the NZ Spirits Awards took place just over a week ago in Wellington. Twenty-two judges tasted and graded 451 entries. Overall there were 79 double-gold and gold medalists, 201 silver and 120 bronze medals awarded.
The team of judges said that although the industry's current climate may be tough, it was rewarding to see such a high number of entries and diversification across categories, with growth in the agave, vermouth liqueurs, and rum categories.
“Our judging panel strives to maintain a strict standard of judging and to offer careful consideration to the feedback for domestic producers - we love our industry and want consumers and hospitality professionals to truly enjoy the quality and creativity made possible by well-made, delicious ingredients,” the panel said in a statement.
“As ever, it's a privilege to be trusted to offer consideration and feedback to products made with such passion and dedication to excellence, and not one we ever take lightly.”
The Awards are hosted by industry bodies Spirits New Zealand and Distilled Spirits Aotearoa. Trophies for the best of the best in each category will be awarded at a gala dinner to be held in Auckland on 13 September.
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