109 Australian and 11 New Zealand Companies entered 370 gins into the 2021 Australian Gin Awards. The judges awarded seven trophies and 277 medals being 56 Gold, 110 Silver and 111 Bronze.

By focusing on GIN in Australia’s spirits industry our Association has offered an incentive for the established plus the new craft distillers to step up and see how they compare with their peers in the same marketplace.

Our Association is very proud of the caliber of our judges, lead by the Godfather of Gin Mr Bill Lark. As Chairman, Bill gives us all leadership and confidence in our planning and practice for the judging.

In 2021 the challenge of judging surrounded by Covid-19 was an interesting one. Through the use of Google Docs, guest judges working with our senior judges and new stewards in three states and the ACT, we successfully completed the judging over a two week period. Thank you and well done all. Let’s hope out regular team of Senior Judges will be able to judge in a Covid free environment in 2022.

The Association is growing in step with the number of distilleries by offering a national road show of gin festivals aimed at Australia’s gin drinkers. These events give great opportunities for our distillers to show their medal-winning craft gins and sell into an ever increasing market.

2021 Senior Judges: Bill Lark, Mikey Enright, Lindsay Silcox, Glenn McPhee, Scott Fitzsimons, Andrew Howell and Charles Casben.
Chief Steward: Chris Rose.
2021 Guest Judges: Philip Jones (ACT), Steve McDermott (NSW), Krystal Hart (NSW), Kristy Lark-Booth (TAS), Belinda Bowman (QLD).

Embezzler Gin received a Silver in the Classic Dry Category

Six Shillings Gin received a Gold in the Old Tom Category

Barrel Aged Gin received a Gold in the Matured Gin Category.