Never Never Distilling Co

Recorded answer text · Google AI Overviews · 18 October 2026

Australia is home to a world-class craft spirits industry, renowned for pioneering single malt whiskies, innovative native-botanical gins, and craft rums.

### Top Australian Whisky Distilleries

---

 Distillery Open Cambridge TAS Call Directions Website

- Known for: World-beating single malt whisky. Their French Oak cask famously won World's Best Single Malt, putting Tasmanian whisky on the global map.

---

 Distillery Open Pontville TAS Call Directions Website

- Known for: Being Tasmania's pioneering modern single malt distillery. Based on a historic estate with an on-site cooperage and peat smoker, Lark sets the benchmark for the region.

---

 Distillery Open Port Melbourne VIC Call Directions Website

- Known for: Distinctively modern Australian single malt matured in locally sourced red wine and Apera (sherry) barrels, capturing the essence of Melbourne's climate.

---

 Distillery Open Kensington VIC Call Directions Website

- Known for: One of the mainland's founding craft whisky makers, celebrated for rich peated and classic malt expressions.

---

 Distillery Closed Bicheno TAS Directions Website

- Known for: Maritime-influenced single malt whiskies crafted right on the edge of the east coast, quickly rising as a top contemporary producer.

### Top Australian Gin & Multi-Spirit Distilleries

- Four Pillars (Yarra Valley, Victoria) - Known for: Iconic craft gins like their Rare Dry Gin, featuring native Tasmanian pepperberry and lemon myrtle alongside citrus. - Archie Rose Distilling Co. (Rosebery, New South Wales) - Known for: Sydney's flagship urban distillery, famous for signature dry gins, innovative whiskies, and custom-personalized spirits. - Never Never Distilling Co. (Royal Park, South Australia) - Known for: Bold, flavour-forward gins (including triple-distilled botanical styles and unique collaborations like Oyster Shell Gin). - Husk Distillers (Tumbulgum, New South Wales) - Known for: Farm-to-bottle agricultural rum (Ink Rum) and the colour-changing Ink Gin infused with butterfly pea flower. - Great Southern Distilling Co. / Limeburners (Albany & Dunsborough, Western Australia) - Known for: Pioneering Western Australian single malt whiskies (Limeburners) alongside coastal gins (Giniversity).

---

You can explore comprehensive state-by-state maps and plan visits through The Whisky List Australian Distillery GuideThe Whisky List Australian Distillery Guide or check out curated travel itineraries on Tourism Australia's Best Distilleries GuideTourism Australia's Best Distilleries Guide.Are you looking for recommendations in a specific state, or are you interested in a particular type of spirit (like single malt whisky or craft gin)?

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 18 October 2026

# Best Australian spirits brands to know in 2026

Australia has an excellent spirits scene, from world-class Tasmanian whisky and distinctive Australian gin to tropical Queensland rum and boutique aperitifs. If you're looking for the best local brands to drink, gift, or explore, I'd start with the following shortlist, using the 2026 Australian International Spirits Awards as a guide alongside established distilleries. www.melbourneroyal.com.auwww.australia.comalbertreview.com.auwww.australiandistillers.org.au

## Top Australian spirits brands

!Liquorland | Buy Beer, Wine, Spirits & Ciders at Great Prices

1\. Four Pillars - Gin

(Best all-round gin)

Victoria · Yarra Valley

Famous for Rare Dry Gin, with native botanicals and a modern Australian character. Its Bloody Shiraz Gin is a distinctive alternative for cocktails and entertaining.

Best for: gin and tonics, cocktails and gifts.

www.melbourneroyal.com.auwww.australia.comalbertreview.com.auwww.australiandistillers.org.au

---

!Buy Lark Distillery Classic Cask Whisky 500ml | Paramount Liquor

2\. Lark - Whisky

Tasmania

A pioneering Australian single malt producer, known for premium releases and a strong Tasmanian identity.

Best for: whisky enthusiasts and special-occasion gifts.

www.australia.comalbertreview.com.au

---

!Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky | Shop Online at Kent Street Cellars

3\. Archie Rose - Whisky, gin and vodka

(2026 award winner)

Sydney, New South Wales

A versatile craft distillery with a broad portfolio. Its Rye Malt Whisky won Best Grain Whisky at the 2026 Australian International Spirits Awards.

Best for: premium gifts and a varied home bar.

www.melbourneroyal.com.auwww.australia.comalbertreview.com.auwww.australiandistillers.org.au

---

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

4\. Never Never Distilling Co. - Gin

(2026 champion gin)

South Australia

Its Triple Juniper Gin won Champion Australian Gin and Best London Dry Gin at the 2026 awards.

Best for: classic martinis and serious gin drinkers.

www.melbourneroyal.com.auwww.australia.comwww.australiandistillers.org.au

---

!Liquorland | Buy Beer, Wine, Spirits & Ciders at Great Prices

5\. Bundaberg Rum - Rum

Queensland

One of Australia's most recognisable spirits brands, with a long history dating back to 1888 and a bold rum style.

Best for: classic rum drinks, mixers and an iconic Aussie favourite.

www.melbourneroyal.com.auwww.australia.comalbertreview.com.auwww.australiandistillers.org.au

---

!Expand

6\. St Agnes - Brandy

(2026 award winner)

South Australia

Its XO 15-Year-Old Brandy won Best Brandy at the 2026 Australian International Spirits Awards.

Best for: after-dinner sipping and sophisticated gifts.

www.melbourneroyal.com.auwww.australia.comwww.australiandistillers.org.au

## More Australian brands worth exploring

!Personalised Red Wine Barrel Single Malt Whisky | Starward AU

Starward

Melbourne whisky known for wine-cask maturation and an approachable, contemporary style. A strong choice for someone who wants to explore Australian whisky.

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

Maidenii

A standout name for Australian vermouth and aperitifs. It was named Champion Small Australian Distiller at the 2026 awards.

!Applewood Distillery Økar Bitter Aperitivo 700mL

Applewood Distillery

An innovative producer using Australian native ingredients. Try Okar, its Australian take on an Italian-style bitter aperitif.

!NIL Desperandum - Premier Australian Rum

Nil Desperandum Rum

A Queensland craft rum producer whose Triple Six won the Best Rum trophy at the 2026 awards.

Sources: www.australia.comwww.melbourneroyal.com.auwww.australiandistillers.org.au

## Best by category

| If you're looking for… | My pick | |--------|--------| | Australian gin | Four Pillars | | Award-winning gin | Never Never | | Premium whisky | Lark | | Contemporary Melbourne whisky | Starward | | Iconic Australian rum | Bundaberg | | Craft rum | Nil Desperandum | | Premium brandy | St Agnes | | Vermouth and aperitifs | Maidenii |

These are recommendations rather than a definitive ranking; the award winners provide a useful independent benchmark, while established brands offer broader recognition. www.melbourneroyal.com.auwww.australia.comalbertreview.com.auwww.australiandistillers.org.au

Are you looking at Australian spirits for a particular purpose? I can narrow the list to the best brands for a bottle shop, a premium gift, a bar or restaurant, or a wholesale/import business.

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 18 October 2026

Australia has an excellent craft-spirits scene, particularly in single-malt whisky, gin, vodka, and rum. A strong shortlist includes:

- Four Pillars - Yarra Valley, Victoria; highly regarded contemporary gin, including Rare Dry Gin. - Sullivan's Cove - Tasmania; premium single-malt whisky and one of Australia's most internationally acclaimed distilleries. - Lark Distillery - Tasmania; a pioneer of Australia's modern whisky industry. - Starward - Melbourne, Victoria; approachable, wine-barrel-aged Australian whisky. - Archie Rose - Sydney, New South Wales; innovative whisky, gin, vodka, and botanical spirits. - Never Never Distilling Co. - South Australia; especially noted for Triple Juniper Gin. - Fleurieu Distillery - South Australia; its Tapestry was named Best Australian Single Malt Whisky in the 2026 awards. - Great Southern Distilling Company - Albany, Western Australia; producer of Tiger Snake Sour Mash Whiskey. - Backwoods Distilling Co. - Victoria; handcrafted Australian whisky and gin. - Artisans Secret Distillery - Australia; small-batch flavoured and botanical gins, including Jaffa and Chilli Plum Gin.

Best picks by category

| Category | Recommended brand | |---|---| | Australian whisky | Starward, Sullivan's Cove, Lark | | Gin | Four Pillars, Never Never | | Experimental spirits | Archie Rose | | South Australian spirits | Fleurieu Distillery | | Western Australian whisky | Great Southern Distilling Company | | Small-batch gift bottles | Artisans Secret |

For a first purchase, choose Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, Starward Two-Fold whisky, or Sullivan's Cove single malt.