Congratulations to our talented Kiwi distillers

Over the past few months, some of our amazing distillers have been recognised for their passion, craftmanship and expertise by receiving various awards. This is no small feat given the number of entrants from talented makers located all over New Zealand. Read on to find out more about the artisan award winners.

2023 NZ Beer Awards winners

Sawmill Brewery has been very successful at The New Zealand Beer Awards. There were 825 entries from across New Zealand. Over two and half days of of judging 25 stewards, 30 judges and six support staff worked together to pour around 400 litres of beer and serve nearly 4000 glasses to the team of judges.

Sawmill Brewery were awarded as Trophy Winners and Brewing Sustainability Award. Congratulations to them on this fantastic achievement. They are New Zealand’s only B Corp Certified brewery and incredible passionate about what they do.

2023 NZ Spirit Awards

Black Collar Distillery, located in Kerikeri, was awarded the Double Gold award for their Black Collar Chocolate Vodka at the 2023 NZ Spirts Awards. A Double-Gold is given when all judges rate the spirit as gold medal worthy. They also won gold for their Black Collar Overproof White Rum, silver medals for their Black Collar Rum and Black Collar Spiced Rum, and bronze medals for their Black Collar Gin, Black Collar Spiced Pineapple Rum, Black Collar White Rum.

Herrick Creek Distillery, from Christchurch, won a silver medal for their Smokin' Right Rear Cinnamon Moonshine and bronze medals for their Apple Pie Moonshine and Maple Moonshine.

Congratulations to the Black Collar and Herrick Creek distillers on this achievement! They were competing against 426 entries from 24 different countries - with 281 being locally made. 

Te Manu Atatū Māori Business Awards

TAHU Gin won the Manufacturing & Production Award and were a finalist in the Environmental Excellence category at the 2023 Te Manu Atatū Māori Business Awards. These awards profile and celebrate Māori owned and operated businesses within Whanganui and surrounding Iwi, and we want to send a big congratulations to three boys who dared to be different by creating NZ’s first Māori owned gin company! Read their story here.