Melbourne Royal Appoints New Head Judges for Australian International Spirits Awards

Melbourne Royal is pleased to announce the appointment of Sebastian Reaburn and Holly Klintworth as the new Head Judges for the Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards (AISA).

Both highly respected industry leaders, Sebastian and Holly, bring extensive experience, deep knowledge and a shared passion for elevating Australian spirits to the role as the program enters its twelfth year.

Holly Klintworth, Managing Director of Bass & Flinders Distillery, has been judging the Awards since 2021 and has served as Panel Chair since 2023. Holly leads one of the few second-generation distilleries in Australia, producing a range of grape-to-glass gins, brandies and liqueurs.

“As the next generation of our family distillery, I feel a deep responsibility to honour the traditions of eau de vie while continuing to push the boundaries of what Australian spirits can be,” said Klintworth.

Elected as the first woman President of the Australian Distillers Association (2022–2025), Holly has been instrumental in championing Australia’s innovative and dynamic spirits sector, celebrating local products, native ingredients and the evolution of flavour, craft and provenance.

“I’m incredibly proud to represent an industry that is collaborative, progressive and distinctly Australian,” she said. “There is enormous opportunity in telling our stories through provenance, quality ingredients and craftsmanship, and in continuing to elevate Australian spirits on the global stage.”

Sebastian Reaburn is a distinguished distiller and industry leader, recognised nationally and internationally for his excellence across production and hospitality. His accolades include awards for Australian Whisky Producer of the Year, Australian Vodka Producer of the Year, World’s Best Vodka Producer and numerous AISA trophies.

“The Australian International Spirits Awards are a highlight of my year,” said Reaburn. “They bring together extraordinary products and industry peers, while giving producers the opportunity to present their best work to both consumers and the trade.”

Sebastian has been a judge at AISA since its inception in 2014 and currently serves as a committee member of the Australian Distillers Association, contributing as a subject matter expert to the development of the Certificate IV in Artisan Distilling and Introduction to Distillery Safety course.

“To step into the role of Co-Head Judge alongside Holly Klintworth is a tremendous responsibility,” he said. “It’s an opportunity not only to oversee an exceptional field of entries, but to protect and grow the Awards’ legacy of quality judging and industry-leading feedback at the highest level.”

The appointments of Sebastian and Holly have been unanimously endorsed by the Industry Advisory Group of AISA, which includes representatives from the Australian Distillers Association. To maintain the integrity and impartiality of the judging process, both Head Judges will not enter their own products while serving in this role.

Entries to the Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards open on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
For more information about the Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards, visit melbourneroyal.com.au/spirits