Ester Spirits

Recorded answer text · Google AI Overviews · 8 November 2026

!Best Australian gin: 16 top gins bursting with Aussie botanicals Australia produces some of the most acclaimed gins in the world, backed by recent global and national awards.

### Top Award-Winning Australian Gins

- Old Young's (WA): Won "best gin in the world" and best gin and tonic at the American Distilling Spirit Distilling Awards. - Archie Rose Bone Dry Gin (NSW): Awarded the highest "Master" medal in the Ultra-Premium category at The Spirits Business Global Gin Masters, named Australia's Best Super-Premium Gin. - Ester Spirits (NSW): Took home Best in Show and Best in Class (Old Tom) at the Australian Gin Awards. - Four Pillars (VIC): Famous internationally and locally, particularly for the savory Olive Leaf Gin and Rare Dry Gin. - Never Never Distilling Co. (SA): Frequently top-rated for bold, juniper-forward expressions like Triple Juniper and Oyster Shell Gin.

### Top Rated by Critics & Guides

- Imperial Measures Bold Ounce (SA): Scored a massive 97/100 by Halliday Wine Companion's taster Jess Clayfield. - Melbourne Gin Company / Spring Bay (VIC/TAS): Scored 96/100 for standout single-shot and classic expressions. - Regional favorites from South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania consistently dominate craft spirits circles, though a user on Reddit notes that individual recipe, botanicals, and ABV matter more than the state of origin.

To help you pick the right bottle, let me know:

- How do you like to drink it (e.g., in a classic Dry Martini, a Gin & Tonic, or a Negroni)? - What flavor profile do you prefer (juniper-heavy, citrus, savory, or spiced)? - What is your preferred budget per bottle?

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 8 November 2026

Australia has an excellent craft spirits industry, with some genuinely world-class producers in gin, whisky, rum, vodka and native botanical spirits\.

If you're looking for the best Australian spirits brands, I'd start with these established names and standout craft producers.

## Best Australian spirits brands

!Never Never Distilling Co Triple Juniper Gin - Kent Street Cellars

1\. Never Never Distilling Co.

(Award-winning gin)

South Australia. One of Australia's standout gin producers. Known for bold, juniper-forward styles and distinctive contemporary gins.

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!Signature Range

2\. Archie Rose Sydney, NSW. Premium whisky, gin and vodka. Strong brand identity and broad spirits portfolio.

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![Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin 700ml - Gift Hampers Melbourne](

3\. Four Pillars Victoria. One of Australia's best-known premium gin brands, with strong international recognition and distinctive Australian botanicals.

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!Starward Nova Single Malt Australian Whisky

4\. Starward Melbourne. A leading Australian whisky name, known for wine-barrel maturation and modern whisky styles.

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![Bundaberg Original Underproof Rum - The Barrel](

5\. Bundaberg Rum Queensland. An iconic Australian rum brand with enormous domestic recognition.

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![Sullivans Cove - Tasmanian Whisky online kaufen | getabottle.de - GET A BOTTLE](

6\. Sullivans Cove Tasmania. A highly regarded premium single malt whisky producer.

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!Maidenii Dry Vermouth (750ml) | Nicks Wine Merchants

7\. Maidenii Victoria. Particularly interesting for Australian vermouth and aperitif styles.

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!Sunshine & Sons Premium Spirits - Botanical Australian Rum

8\. Nil Desperandum Queensland. An exciting craft rum producer and 2026 Australian International Spirits Awards Champion Medium Australian Distiller.

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!Expand

9\. St Agnes Distillery South Australia. Particularly strong in premium Australian brandy.

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![Evening Light Gin | Premium Gin | Brogans Way Gin - brogansway](

10\. Brogan's Way Melbourne. A distinctive local craft producer, recognised at the 2026 Australian International Spirits Awards.

## Standout brands by category

| Category | Brands worth knowing | |--------|--------| | Gin | Four Pillars, Never Never, Archie Rose | | Whisky | Starward, Sullivans Cove, Archie Rose | | Rum | Bundaberg, Nil Desperandum, Beenleigh | | Vodka | Archie Rose, Saint Felix | | Brandy | St Agnes | | Vermouth / aperitif | Maidenii, Marionette, Ester Spirits |

The 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards recognised Never Never, Archie Rose, St Agnes, Nil Desperandum and Maidenii among its standout Australian producers. www.melbourneroyal.com.auwww.melbourneroyal.com.au

## My shortlist

If I were identifying the strongest Australian spirits brands overall, I'd pay particular attention to\:

- Four Pillars - premium gin and brand recognition. - Starward - Australian whisky with international appeal. - Never Never - craft gin credentials. - Archie Rose - breadth of portfolio and premium positioning. - Sullivans Cove - high-end whisky positioning.

## What are you looking for?

I can narrow this down considerably depending on your objective.

1\. What's the purpose?

Brand research / market mapping

Finding brands to stock or distribute

Gift and lifestyle brands

Industry benchmarking and competitors

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2\. Which category?

All spirits

Gin

Whisky

Rum

Vodka

Liqueurs, aperitifs and vermouth

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3\. Which market positioning?

Premium / luxury

Craft / boutique

Mass market / mainstream

Emerging / independent

[Refine brand shortlist]

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 8 November 2026

Australia's best small-batch spirits depend on the category, but these are strong picks:

- Gin - Never Never Distilling Co. Triple Juniper Gin, South Australia: A juniper-forward benchmark and a top Australian gin choice. - Gin - Ester Spirits Navy-Strength Gin, Sydney: Distinctive contemporary botanicals with international recognition. - Gin - Karu Distillery Affinity Gin, NSW: A polished, botanical-style gin that has featured among Australia's leading gins. - Whisky - Belgrove Distillery Rye Whisky, Tasmania: Especially interesting for rye fans and limited-release whisky hunters. - Whisky - Hobart Whisky Winter Feast Limited Release: Named the 2025 World Whiskies Awards winner for Best Australian Small Batch Single Malt. - Whisky - Backwoods Distilling, Victoria: Worth exploring for small-batch whisky made from Australian-grown grains and matured in Australian casks. - Vodka - Australian Distilling Co. Vodka: Copper-pot re-distilled in small batches, with a clean, smooth style suited to Martinis and highballs. - Rum - Bundaberg Small Batch Reserve: A richer, sweeter rum matured with brandy and Cognac-cask influence; best for sipping or a Dark 'n' Stormy. - Experimental spirits - Otter Craft Distilling, Sydney: Particularly notable for grain-to-glass whisky and unusual releases such as cocoa vodka. - Local Sydney option - Lily Fields Sydney Dry Gin: A bright, citrus-led gin made in the Inner West and awarded gold at the World Gin Awards.

Best three-bottle starting set: Never Never Triple Juniper Gin, Hobart Whisky Winter Feast, and Bundaberg Small Batch Reserve. Availability and prices vary by state, and Australian alcohol purchases are restricted to people aged 18 and over.