Two Western Australian distilleries are making their mark on the world stage, with Hippocampus Metropolitan Distillery and Limeburners both winning international awards this week.
Hippocampus, which was established in 2014 by Little Creatures Brewing co-founder Howard Cearns, received a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Hippocampus Gin, a spirit launched just three months ago.
The distillery also received a bronze medal for its Hippocampus Vodka.
Meanwhile, Limeburners, also known as the Great Southern Distilling Company, took home the top prize in the best Australian blended whisky category at the 2016 World Whiskies Awards for its Tiger Snake Sour Mash Whiskey.
The distillery, which recently opened its second location, the Margaret River Distilling Company, also won a silver medal for its Limeburners Cask Strength Single Malt Whiskey.
Limeburners founder and owner Cameron Syme said the company was excited to get international recognition for the quality of its whiskey.
“In 2015, Limeburners won a gold medal and Australian champion at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards in Melbourne, a gold medal in London at the International Wine and Spirits Competition and double gold at Hong Kong’s China Wine and Spirits Awards.
“In 2016, Tiger Snake was shortlisted for world whisky of the year and was invited on stage as one of the world’s best.
“We’re clearly punching above our weight in the whisky world, which is good for Albany and good for Australia.”