Australia’s top spirits named in Decoded Spirits Awards

Ten judges spent five days drinking more than 600 spirits. Now the results are in on which are best for quality and value for money.

Attention booze hounds – Dan Murphy’s has named Australia’s best spirits, with 19 winners chosen from more than a whopping 600 international entries.

The inaugural Decoded Spirits Awards involved 10 judges appointed by the liquor outlet blind tasting everything from vodka and gin to whisky and tequila over five days to find the best drops based on quality, flavour and value for money.

“Customers are drinking less, but better,” said Dan Murphy’s spirits category manager and Decoded Spirits judge James Duvnjak.

“Increasingly customers are looking for craft producers and innovative expressions of traditional spirits.”

More than 300 of the 600-plus entries in the competition were gin, with NSW distillery Archie Rose’s Bone Dry Gin named Best Australian Gin, while the South Australian-made 23rd Distillery’s Violet Gin won Best Coloured Gin.

The gin winners from the inaugural Dan Murphy’s Decoded Spirits Awards.

“Gin remains a customer favourite, and it’s great to see that Australian gin distillers are continuing to produce world-class drinks,” Mr Duvnjak said.

Australian whisky has also proved incredibly popular, with sales doubling at Dan Murphy’s in the past 12 months.

Corowa Distilling in outback NSW was awarded Best Australian Whisky with its Characters Single Malt.

Award-winning Corowa Distilling in NSW.

Meanwhile, the Best Australian Rum award went to West Australian distillery Illegal Tender’s Distiller’s Cut Rum.

The fastest growing category for the drinks retailer, however, is agave spirits, such as tequila and mezcal, with Mexico’s Patron Silver tequila taking out Best Agave Tequila, while Best Agave Mezcal went to Burrito Fiestero Cenizo Mezcal – another Mexican product.

“Mezcal is increasingly popular among customers thanks to its varying styles and different flavours,” Mr Duvnjak said.

“Whereas tequila has to be distilled in a specific region from only 100 per cent Blue Weber agave, mezcal can be produced from many different types of agave and so the distillers can explore different styles and flavours outside the realms that Tequila can achieve.”

ALL THE WINNERS IN THE DAN MURPHY’S DECODED SPIRITS AWARDS 2022

Category: Australian Gin

Winner: Archie Rose Distilling Co. Bone Dry Gin Price: $89.99

Verdict: This is a superbly balanced gin, and unashamedly juniper-forward. Soft on the palate, but it has that clean, dry finish that all gin lovers chase.

Category: International Gin

Winner: Jawbox Small Batch Dry Gin Price: $64.99

Verdict: This small batch gin from Ireland was bursting with flavour, beautiful pepper and spice, all balanced on the backbone with Juniper. Fantastic drop!

Category: Coloured & Sloe Gin

Winner: 23rd Street Distillery Violet Gin Price: $80.99

Verdict: The Butterfly Pea flower gives this South Australian gin its beautiful ultraviolet colour but it’s not just a pretty sight! The judges like the floral bouquet combined with its spicy, warm finish.

Category: Non-alcoholic

Winner: Gordons 0% Price: $34.99

Verdict: This is a light, refreshing and easygoing option that is perfect for those who want to enjoy gin without the ABV. Delicious!

Category: Vodka

Winner: Old Young’s Pavlova Vodka Price: $69.99

Verdict: It doesn’t get more Aussie than this! This vodka from Perth’s Swan Valley ticks all the boxes – subtle sweetness and lovely floral notes.

Category: Brandy (including Cognac & Armagnac)

Winner: St Agnes XO 15 Year Old Brandy Price: $109.99

Verdict: This is a star of an Australian product that was up against some very heavy international competition including Cognac and Armagnac. This brandy is subtle, yet balanced.

Category: Australian Whisky

Winner: Corowa Characters Australian Single Malt Whisky Price: $94.99

Verdict: This Australian single malt whisky has been matured in wine casks, and has a balance of floral and sweet flavours. Hidden gem – simply divine. And under $100.

Category: Scotch Whisky

Winner: The Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask Single Malt Price: $129.99

Verdict: This incredibly smooth whisky has been aged in two different casks – American Oak and European Oak, both seasoned in cherry – for 12 years, and it is simply divine. It’s little wonder it’s one of the world’s most sought after whiskies.

Category: North American Whisky

Winner: Maker’s Mark 46 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky Price: $68.99

Verdict: This bourbon has deep, rich and bold flavours of vanilla, oak, caramel and spice – yum!

Category: International Whisky

Winner: Mars Iwai Tradition Blended Japanese Whisky Price: $109.99

Verdict: We love the combination of sweet and smoke in this soft and elegant Japanese whisky. That hint of peatiness really gives it a full-bodied flavour.

Category: Australian Rum

Winner: Illegal Tender Rum Co Distiller’s Cut Rum Price: $84.99

Verdict: This Aussie rum blew the judges away. It packs a punch, great for cocktail making. Flavours of cinnamon and spice, well rounded.

Category: International Rum

Winner: Ron Millionario Solera 15 Reserva Especial Price: $76.99

Verdict: Deep rich lingering flavour, great for sipping, long balanced flavour. A whisky drinker’s rum!

Category: Spiced Rum

Winner: Captain Webb’s Two Swallows Orange & Ginger Spiced Rum Price: $45.99

Verdict: This rum is definitely one for the sweet tooths out there! Lovely, rich flavours great for mixing or sipping on the rocks.

Category: Aperitifs & Digestifs

Winner: Campari Bitter Aperitif Price: $41.99

Verdict: A must-have for any home bartender – you can use this beautiful and versatile product to create an endless array of cocktails like Negroni or Americano, or simply enjoy with soda water.

Category: Agave Tequila

Winner: Patrón Silver Tequila Price: $94.99

Verdict: What a crowd pleaser! This tequila has a smooth taste with citrus aroma and a light pepper finish. Perfect for that classic Margarita cocktail.

Category: Agave Mezcal

Winner: Burrito Fiestero Cenizo Mezcal Price: $94.99

Verdict: Absolutely stunning – this mezcal can be compared to a young, peated whisky. Distinct sweet, fruity flavour with a gentle amount of smokiness give this Mezcal a smooth and well balanced finish.

Category: Pre-batched cocktails Price: $49.99 in CDS states (pack of 4)

Winner: Curatif Tequila Tromba Tommy’s Margarita cans

Verdict: This cocktail is everything you want in a great Margarita. Convenient way of getting that on-premise serve every time!

Category: Liqueurs

Winner: Cazcabel Tequila Coffee Liqueur Price: $59.99

Verdict: A blanco tequila has been blended with arabica coffee, and the result is absolutely delicious. Serve in a luxurious cocktail or neatly over ice.

Category: Asian Spirits

Winner: Luzhou Laojiao Zisha Daqu Baijiu Price: $102.99

Verdict: This Chinese liqueur is packed full of flavour, and really knocks your socks off. An outstanding product!