Entries reopened for the 2020 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards

The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) is pleased to advise the 2020 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards (ADSA) has been rescheduled and judging will take place from Tuesday 25 - Wednesday 26 August.  

Having originally opened for entries in early 2020, the program has been rescheduled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.  

Head Judge Sebastian Costello, owner of Melbourne bar Bad Frankie, will lead a team of 25 industry experts across two days with a wide variety of Australian spirits and liqueurs set to be showcased and awarded.  

The panel of judges will award up to 13 champion trophies including Whisky, Gin, Vodka, Brandy, Rum, Liqueur, Alternative Spirit, Aromatic and major awards for the Champion Micro Batch, Champion Small Batch Spirit and the coveted Champion Distiller.  

New in 2020 are trophies for Champion Victorian Distiller and Champion Victorian Gin that are supported by the Victorian State Government.   

RASV CEO, Brad Jenkins was excited to announce that the ADSA would be conducted later this year, with careful consideration placed on maintaining safety and integrity. 

“The new August judging dates have been chosen to maximise participation from Australian distillers and will ensure the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards continue to recognise the diverse success story that is the Australian distilling industry,” said Mr Jenkins.  

“We recognise and reward the commitment of distillers who work tirelessly to provide uniquely Australian products to the rest of the world”  

“The health of judges, stewards and staff is the highest priority of RASV and we will continue to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 health warnings and provide a safe and welcoming space for everyone involved in bringing the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards together,” Mr Jenkins concluded. 

With an additional three weeks to finalise entries, all distilleries that withdrew their entries due to the COVID-19 pandemic are invited to resubmit entries and be part of Australia’s first and largest spirits competition.       

Recognising the long tradition of distilling in Australia as well as the new generation of emerging spirits and liqueur producers, the award program, conducted by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), provide Australian distillers with an essential benchmarking and networking opportunity. 

With judging to take place on 25 – 26 August 2020, spirits producers are encouraged to be part of this prestigious program. 

Entries for the competition close on Friday 31 July. For more information or to enter online visit  www.rasv.com.au/spirits or email spirits@rasv.com.au or follow RASofVIC on Facebook or @rasofvic on Instagram. 

Key dates  

Entries Close: Friday 31 July 

Judging: Tuesday 25 – Wednesday 26 August 

Awards Presentation: Thursday 10 September via online stream 

 

For all media enquiries, please contact:  

Grant Coverdale, Communications Manager,  

RASV  03 9281 7448 / grant.coverdale@rasv.com.au