Those who fancy a tipple of the finest vodka or whisky will be pleased to learn that two of the world’s best are made right here in Western Australia.
Two local distilleries have been named best in class at the world’s largest craft spirit competition, run by the American Distilling Institute, held earlier this week in US city Baltimore.
The title for best international vodka went to Pure No 1 Vodka, crafted by Henley Brook-based Old Young’s Distillery.
Formerly known as Wild Swan Distilling Company (founded in 2002) and the Swan Valley’s first distillery, Old Young's was established last May after founder and distiller James Young took over the company.
In addition to the overall top title, Old Young’s Distillery was awarded medals for: Pure Number 1 Vodka (best in category and a gold medal for ‘international neutral vodka'); Pavlova Vodka (best in category and gold medal for ‘international flavoured vodka').
The Old Young’s 1892 Gin and Six Seasons Gin won silver medals, while, its Old BAG (barrel-aged gin) won bronze.
Limeburners, also known as the Great Southern Distilling Company, won the trophy for the ‘best international whiskey’ for its Darkest Winter Peated Single Malt.
“We’re really proud and humbled to have been acknowledged as the best craft whisky in the world,” founder Cameron Syme said.
“This is the result of 29 years of hard work and shows that our small craft distillery in Western Australia is a world-class operation, and is really timely as we’ve signed export deals to the USA.”
Limeburners operates three distilleries across the state’s South West – the whisky distillery in Albany, Giniversity gin distillery in Margaret River, and The Tiger Snake Whiskey distillery in the Porongurups region north-east of Albany.
Limeburners is set to defend its title as Australia’s best single malt at the Australian National Spirits Awards in Melbourne tonight, where it won the 2016 champion titles for ‘whisky, small batch spirit and Australian distillery.