2026 Australian
Gin Awards

Entries now closed.

Letter from the Chairman

2026 Australian
Gin Awards

Year after year, the quality and complexity of gins submitted to our competition have soared. Last year’s entries were no exception, showcasing the incredible talent and innovation of our distillers. The entries were of a consistent standard across all classes, from Classic, Contemporary, Old Tom, Matured, Over Proof, Flavoured and Liqueurs with a gin base.

We look forward to more of your exceptional entries this year.


Mikey Enright
Chairman, Australian Gin Awards 2026.

Trophies & Medals

The fee for each bottle entered is $180

This year’s ‘Best In Show’ will win the perpetual trophy along with a distiller stand at the festival of their choice plus a large ‘2026 Best In Show’ pull-up banner for their stand.

All trophy winners will receive marketing across our social media channels plus an invitation to accept their award at the awards presentation night held in Sydney in September.

  • Best in Show Perpetual Trophy

  • Best in Class Trophies

  • Gold, Silver and Bronze Certificates and medals

  • Best in State & Territory Medals, by Class

Class Criteria

All gins entered must be produced in Australia or New Zealand by producers holding an Excise Manufacturers License and must comply with the laws as set by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Code (FSANZ).

Double entries: Please note that any gin may only be entered into one class. Give careful consideration when selecting your classes as gins judged to be entered into the wrong class cannot be provided with a score by our judges.

CLASS 1. CLASSIC DRY GIN (Including London Dry styles)

Should be produced using a clean base spirit with a neutral taste which allows the distilled flavours of the botanicals to come through. The gin should be juniper forward where all the botanicals are distilled either soaked in the neutral spirit inside the still or placed in a basket within the still or along the Lyne arm. The botanicals may be distilled individually or together in a single batch.

Must be bottled at a minimum ABV of 37.5% (37% for NZ entrants) and a maximum ABV of 50%.

(New age or new wave gins) – Juniper should still be discernible but flavours from other botanicals such as citrus, spice and floral notes are more prominent than in a London Dry Gin.

Must be bottled at a minimum ABV of 37.5% (37% for NZ entrants) and a maximum ABV of 50%. Contemporary Style Gin cannot be coloured or flavoured artificially.

(Barrel Aged Gin) – A distilled gin that has been matured in wooden barrels for any length of time. Juniper should still be discernible. Judges will be looking at the influence of the wood and barrel characteristics in balance with traditional gin flavours.

Must be bottled at a minimum ABV of 37.5% (37% for NZ entrants). Matured Gin cannot be coloured or flavoured artificially other than that obtained from the barrel itself.

A distilled gin product to replicate the historical style of “Old Tom” either botanically intense or botanically sweetened. Nowadays Old Tom is a very good gin quite often sweetened by the distillation of larger than normal amounts of liquorice or the like but not added after distillation. Juniper should still be discernible. Old Tom can also be sweetened with sugar and may be influenced by wood maturation. It is generally considered richer in flavour than London Dry Gin.

Must be bottled at a minimum ABV of 37.5% (37% for NZ entrants). Old Tom cannot be coloured or flavoured artificially.

A Distilled Gin bottled at a minimum of 50% ABV. Traditionally “Navy Gin” is bottled between 57% and 58% ABV. Juniper should still be discernible. This award recognises producers wishing to showcase their gin at a strength above 50% ABV..

These products are generally influenced by traditional Sloe Gins whereby a dry gin is macerated with fruit and then lightly sweetened. This category may include Sloe Gins and Sloe-Style Gins as well as similar alternatives. Minimum ABV of 25%.

These are products that intentionally focus on a flavour other than juniper. Whether achieved through distillation, maceration or some other means, gins in this category may not fit the conventional definitions or perceptions of ‘gin’. Can be coloured and/or sweetened. Minimum ABV of 20%. Juniper should still be aromatically present to warrant inclusion.

2026 Judging Team

Mikey Enright
Barrelhouse Group

Charles Casben
ISA Education Chair

Ally Ayres
Karu Distillery

Alana House
Drinks Digest

Silvia Segato
Archie Rose

Scott Fitzsimons
The Whisky Club

Australian Gin Awards Packaging Competition

The criterion for bottle judging.

Consideration will be given to label designs, materials used, narrative/story, bottle quality and closures, company branding, legal requirements and overall shelf appeal.

A single entry fee of $90 applies to
the Packaging Awards.
This fee covers all bottles and ranges entered, with no additional charge for extra bottles or entries.

Category One: This year’s Best Bottle will win a trophy and a distiller stand at a 2027 Gin Events festival of the winner’s choice.

Category Two: Enter a range of bottles (any number of bottles in a brand’s range). The winning company will win a trophy and a distiller stand at a 2027 Gin Events festival of the winner’s choice.

Note: Our system allows for a range of four. If you plan on a larger range please email sabina@ginevents.com.au before you enter and she will assist you.

Packaging Chair: Lindsay Silcox.

2025 CATEGORY ONE WINNER

30 Knots Distillery

Sea Spray Navy Strength Gin

2025 CATEGORY TWO WINNER

Lizard Dragons Distillery

Awards & Feedback

2026 bottle stickers will be available for Trophy, Gold, Silver and Bronze as well as State & Territory winners.

All entries will be mailed with written judges’ comments along with any certificates awarded.

All medal winners will be published on this website and a press release will be sent to trade and major publications.