Tasting Australia Spirit Awards offer a chance to taste the best gin, rum and whisky

The state’s new wave of artisan distillers will be on display when the second Tasting Australia Spirit Awards are held during the festival in April.

Prohibition co-owner Adam Carpenter with bartender Gretel Ramsay at Prohibition. Picture: Matt Turner

Remember the days when ordering a gin and tonic or whisky meant choosing between two or three bottles, most likely from overseas?

The staggering growth of distilleries in this state, as well as the rest of Australia, over the past decade has turned our cocktail culture on its head.

This new wave of artisan producers will be on display when the second Tasting Australia Spirit Awards are held during the festival in April.

Last year’s inaugural competition attracted more than 160 entries from 60 distillers. Medals and an overall winner are presented across seven categories, including rum, vodka, gin and brandy, before prizes are given for the best distiller based on scores across all entries. It culminates in the Tasting Australia Spirit Awards party on April 6, when the public has the chance to taste winning entries and meet makers.

Prohibition co-owner Adam Carpenter. Picture: Matt Turner

Adam Carpenter, co-founder of city-based Prohibition Liquor Co, which won a gold medal last year, said the award was special to the company.

“There was something really nice about winning in our own home town,” he said. “Awards like this are always of benefit to us to showcase the quality of the spirit, and it helps consumers to get an idea of what they’re buying.”

The awards are part of the Tasting Australia festival from April 5 to 14. For the full program, see the magazine in The Advertiser on Saturday.