Corowa Distilling Co has taken out the best Aussie whisky award in Dan Murphy’s first ever blind taste test.
More than 600 local and international spirits were tasted by 10 judges over five days.
Corowa Distilling Co won the Australian whisky section with its Characters Single Malt Whisky.
Matured in wine casks and described as having a balance of “floral and sweet flavours”, the Corowa whisky was declared by judges to be a “hidden gem”, “simply divine” and great value at $94.99 a bottle.
All the winners in the Decoded Spirits Awards will be promoted in Dan Murphy’s stores across the country.
Corowa Distilling Co managing director Dean Druce said the future was bright for Australian whisky, which has seen year-on-year growth in the past three decades.
“This means a lot to us. Twelve months ago we were in 10 local Dan Murphy’s stores and now there is the opportunity to be ranged in almost 260 stores nationally,” Mr Druce said.
“For Corowa Distilling Co, we are increasing production and we are expanding our distillery experience to enable visiting customers to see the entire process from start to finish.”
WINNERS
Best Australian rum
Illegal Tender Rum Co Distiller’s Cut Rum (Dongara, Western Australia)
Best Australian gin
Archie Rose Distilling Co Bone Dry Gin (Sydney, NSW)
Best non-alcoholic spirit
Gordons 0% (London, UK)
Best vodka
Old Young’s Pavlova Vodka (Swan Valley, Western Australia)
Best brandy
St Agnes XO 15-year-old brandy (Renmark, South Australia)
Best Australian whisky
Characters Single Malt Whisky (Corowa, NSW)
Best international whisky
Mars Iwai Traditional Blended Japanese Whisky (Nagano, Japan)