Prohibition Liquor Co Crowned Champion Australian Distiller at 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards
11 Jul 2025 / Spirits, Melbourne Royal News
The results are official: Australia's leading distillers and their exceptional creations have been crowned at the 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards - the first and largest spirits awards program in Australia recognising excellence in distilling.
After an intensive assessment across three days at Melbourne Showgrounds by our nation's most respected spirits experts, the Awards proudly recognised the industry's finest and 103 gold, 372 silver and 281 bronze medals were awarded from over 820 entries.
The Awards Presentation on 10 July 2025 saw 20 Best Category Awards and four Champion Trophies proudly presented at a cocktail presentation held at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
South Australia’s Prohibition Liquor Co took home the highly sought title of Champion Australian Distiller - a powerful testament to its exceptional skill and unwavering commitment to crafting top-tier spirits.
Further demonstrating their dominance, Prohibition Liquor Co also took home the prestigious Champion Australian Gin trophy for its Juniperus Gin.
Victoria’s thriving distilling scene was well represented, with Top Shelf International being named Champion Victorian Distiller, while Champion Victorian Gin went to Reed & Co Distillery for its NEO New World Dry Gin, highlighting the innovative spirit of the state’s producers.
Melbourne Royal Food and Beverage Awards Senior Manager Kirrily Waldhorn said winning at the Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards is considered a hallmark of quality.
"It assures consumers and trade that a spirit has been rigorously evaluated by an internationally esteemed judging panel, representing the very best our country has to offer,” she said.
“Winning a Melbourne Royal trophy or medal is wonderful recognition and reward for the expertise, passion and commitment devoted to distilling excellence”.
“The opportunity to display the Melbourne Royal seal of excellence medal on product, packaging and marketing can contribute to an uplift in sales, brand equity and commercial growth.”
The full list of winners from the 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards:
Best Design: Triple Juniper Gin - Never Never Distilling Co, South Australia
Best Ready to Serve Cocktail or Pre-Mix or Spritz: Yuzu Chu-Hai - Reed & Co Distillery, Victoria
Best Bitter: Amaro e Agave, Bitter Liqueur - Ragazzi e Succo Aperitivos, South Australia
Best Alternative Spirit: Williams Pear Schnapps - Snowgum Distillery, Victoria
Best Liqueur: Auvert Herbal Liqueur - Imperial Measures Distilling, South Australia
Best Tequila or Agave Spirit: Mezcal Artesenal Joven - Amigos Aotearoa, Auckland, New Zealand
Best Cane Spirit: Virgin Cane Spirit - Burdekin Rum, Queensland
Raymond B 'Spike' Dessert III Trophy for Best Rum: Husk Rare Blend - Husk Rum, New South Wales
Best Brandy: St Agnes XO - St Agnes Distillery, South Australia
Best Flavoured Vodka: The Gwendoline Vodka - Moontide Distillery, Western Australia
Best Unflavoured Vodka: Original Vodka - Bunker Distillery, New South Wales
Best Other Gin (not LD, NW or Navy): Sawmill Gin - Brandy Barrel Gin - Mid North Distilling Co, South Australia
Best Fruit or Wine / Grape Gin: Ginache Gin - Never Never Distilling Co, South Australia
Best Navy Gin: Epoch Strength Navy Gin - Jones and Smith Distillery, New South Wales
Best New World / Contemporary Gin: NEO New World Dry Gin - Reed & Co Distillery, Victoria
Best London Dry Gin: Juniperus Gin - Prohibition Liquor Co, South Australia
Country to Coast 6 by Black Gate Distillery & Fleurieu Distillery - Fleurieu Distillery, South Australia
Best Grain Whisky: Rye Malt Whisky - Archie Rose Distilling Co, New South Wales
Best International Single Malt Whisky: Levenside Special Reserve Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Coles Liquor, Victoria
Best Australian Single Malt Whisky: Single Malt Whisky - Small Batch Reserve Series - Chardonnay Barrel - Backwoods Distilling Co, Victoria
Champion Victorian Gin: NEO New World Dry Gin - Reed & Co Distillery, Victoria
Champion Victorian Distiller: Top Shelf International, Victoria
Champion Australian Gin: Juniperus Gin - Prohibition Liquor Co, South Australia
Champion Australian Distiller: Prohibition Liquor Co, South Australia