Western Australia’s Limeburners Distillery has been announced as Australian Distiller of the Year, taking home a total of three trophies at the 2016 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards (ADSA).

Conducted by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) the ADSA Presentation was held on 21 April at The Craft & Co, Collingwood, with eight Champion Trophies presented.

Limeburners has been distilling whisky for 10 years from its boutique distillery in Albany, and now also in Margaret River, Western Australia. The Distillery, which aims to source local ingredients and is sustainably powered by the Albany wind farm, took home a total of three trophies, including the Australian Distiller of the Year award. The Single Malt Whisky Heavy Peat M226 was awarded both the Champion Whisky award and the inaugural Small Batch Spirit award.

A new addition to the awards in 2016, the Champion Small Batch Spirit trophy acknowledges specialty small-scale production spirits and liqueurs made in limited quantities that are distinct from a distiller’s standard range.

 “We congratulate all the trophy winners from the 2016 ADSA on their remarkable success. Australian distillers have a rapidly growing global reputation for producing outstanding spirits and liqueurs,” said Mark O’Sullivan, CEO, RASV.

“We are committed to showcasing excellence and celebrating quality distilling in this country and will continue to evolve the awards to reflect this exciting and burgeoning industry.”

The 2016 ADSA attracted 154 entries from 42 exhibitors, representing more than 80 percent of Australian distillers.

A panel of industry experts, led by head judge Jason Crawley of The Drink Cabinet, assessed the entries over two days, from 12-13 April at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

“The overall quality of the Australian spirits and liqueurs exhibited was astonishing,” said Crawley.

A total of 80 medals were awarded this year including 14 gold, 23 silver and 43 bronze.

The awards night was part of the ‘Winning Tastes’ schedule of annual events, which includes a showcase of fine food and drink at the Royal Melbourne Show.

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