Australia’s best spirits have officially been crowned, with celebrity-backed brands, award-winning Victorian distilleries and a brand-new Gin & Tonic category among the highlights of the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards.
Held as part of the Melbourne Royal Food & Beverage Awards, the annual competition recognises excellence across whisky, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, liqueurs and ready-to-drink spirits. This year’s awards also marked a major milestone, welcoming international producers into the competition for the first time and further cementing its reputation as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading spirits awards.
One of the night’s biggest talking points was the success of Bird, the blended malt whisky created through a collaboration between entrepreneur Mark Bouris, South Australia’s Fleurieu Distillery and Bird in Hand Winery. The whisky was named Best Blended Malt Whisky, adding another accolade to the premium Australian spirit.
Hollywood was also represented on the winners list, with Teremana Añejo, the tequila founded by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, taking out the award for Best Tequila or Agave Spirit.
Victoria’s distillers continue to impress
Victoria enjoyed another standout year, with several local producers collecting major trophies across the competition.
Melbourne-based Maidenii was among the biggest winners, claiming both Champion Small Australian Distiller and Champion Victorian Distiller, highlighting the strength of the state’s thriving craft spirits industry.
Other Victorian winners included:
- Saint Felix Distillery, which won Best Unflavoured Vodka for Midnight Vodka.
- Marionette, awarded Best Liqueur for its Caretaker’s Cottage Black Forest.
- Brogan’s Way Distillery, which claimed Best Fruit or Wine/Grape Gin with Strawberries & Cream Gin.
- Daylesford Spirit Distillery, named Champion Victorian Gin.
- Cedar Fox Distilling Co., recognised for Best Alternative Spirit.
- Oakburn Distillery, winner of Best Flavoured Vodka.
Australia’s best distillers recognised
Beyond the individual spirit categories, Melbourne Royal recognised outstanding distilleries from across the country.
South Australia’s St Agnes Distillery was named Champion Large Australian Distiller and also collected Best Brandy for its St Agnes XO – 15YO. Queensland’s Nil Desperandum Rum took home the title of Champion Medium Australian Distiller, while Tasmania’s Island Coast Spirits was recognised as Champion Australian Nomad Distiller.
The awards also welcomed overseas producers for the first time, with Distillerie Bonne Mère from Guadeloupe, France, crowned Champion International Distiller. Italy’s Cipriani White Peach Bellini was recognised as the Best Ready to Serve Pre-Mix or Spritz, reflecting the increasingly global nature of the competition.
A new Gin & Tonic category debuts
A notable addition to this year’s awards was the introduction of a dedicated Gin & Tonic category, recognising one of Australia’s most popular spirit serves.
The inaugural trophy was awarded to Bunker Distillery’s Traditional Dry Gin, judged when paired with Strangelove Coastal Tonic, assessing how the spirit performs in a classic mixed drink rather than on its own.
Across the remaining gin categories, Never Never Distilling Co. claimed Best London Dry Gin, Northern Distilling won Best New World/Contemporary Gin, Hold Fast Distillery took out Best Navy Gin, while Ester Spirits was recognised for both Best Other Gin and Best Bitter or Vermouth.
Celebrating the best of Australian spirits
The awards showcased more than 20 categories spanning whisky, gin, vodka, rum, brandy, tequila, liqueurs, ready-to-drink cocktails and design, recognising both established producers and emerging distilleries.
Other notable winners included Archie Rose Distilling Co., which secured Best Grain Whisky, while Western Australia’s Timbertide received the Best Design award for its Single Cask release.
According to Melbourne Royal, the calibre of entries and the addition of international competitors reflects the continued growth, innovation and craftsmanship driving Australia’s spirits industry, with the awards providing producers an internationally recognised benchmark for quality.
