Kangaroo Island’s KIS O’Gin named Australia’s best

A distiller from the little town of Cygnet River on Kangaroo Island has just scooped Australia’s most prestigious gin award.

Kangaroo Island Spiritsowners Sarah and Jon Lark at their distillery. Photo: Keryn Stevens

A Kangaroo Island gin has been named Australia’s finest at the inaugural Australian Gin Awards.

KIS O’Gin, made by Kangaroo Island Spirits, was judged best in show, beating 173 entries to take the top prize, presented in Sydney.

“This particular gin has, for a number of years, been really popular at a number of high-end bars with consumers, but until last year it didn’t fare well in competitions and we couldn’t understand why,” said Jon Lark, head distiller and co-owner with wife Sarah, of Kangaroo Island Spirits, based in Cygnet River on the island.

Kangaroo Island Spirits (KIS) owners Sarah and Jon Lark at their distillery with their award-winning O’Gin (left). Photo: Keryn Stevens

“Then, last year, in California at the SIP (Spirit International Prestige) awards, which are judged by consumers, it collected a double gold medal. So for us to receive the trophy for best in show at the Australian Gin Awards, it says to us that the gin industry is defining itself and recognising a gin like this which has a lot of good attributes and a sensible incorporation of an Australian botanical.”

The award judges praised KIS O’Gin’s “excellent quality juniper with very good supporting contributions from citrus and spice.”

Key to the winning gin’s character is an infusion of Kangaroo Island coastal daisy, Olearia Axillaris.

KIS O’Gin has been judged Australia’s best

KIS O’Gin also won best in class in the contemporary gin category and SA’s Red Hen distillery won best in class for a classic dry with its Red Hen. South Australian distillers took home a swag of medals with golds going to Settlers for its Yuzu Gin and Sloe Gin, and Adelaide Hills Distillery for 78 Degrees.

“For a number of years we’ve been describing South Australia as the gin state, not least because my brother started whisky in Tasmania and they started referring to that as a whisky state. I think we can really hold our hands on our hearts now and say we are the gin state. There are some great award winners coming out of South Australia – from all of our peers. South Australia can be a destination that people come to when they’re looking for fine gins,” Mr Lark said.

KIS O’Gin

Mr Lark noted that he is working on two new gins to be released soon – a gin collaboration with the SA Maritime Museum called KIS a Sailor with part proceeds going to the museum; and Koala 48, crafted using 48 botanicals found on Kangaroo Island, including juniper, which, Mr Lark believes, will make this the first gin made with Australian juniper.

Australian Gin Awards winners

Best in Show: Kangaroo Island Spirits – KIS O’Gin

Best in Class – Classic Dry: Small Batch Distilling – RED HEN

Best in Class – Contemporary: Kangaroo Island Spirits – KIS O’Gin

Best in Class – Matured: Cedar Fox Distilling – Oak Gin

Best In Class – Navy: Great Ocean Road Gin – Split Point

Best in Class – Flavoured: Hunnington Distillery – Tasmanian Sloe Gin

KIS O’Gin