Two Sunshine Coast distilleries are the toast of the region after they snared major accolades at the World Vodka Awards.
Sunshine & Sons and Beachtree Distilling Co claimed gold at the awards, being adjudged Australia’s best in specific categories.
The former was a country winner in the botanical division, with its Original Vodka 43 per cent, while the latter was a country winner in the varietal section, with its Organic Tiger Quoll Vodka 42 per cent.
Vodkas from more 20 countries were put to the test with ‘new world’ drops upstaging traditional producing countries like Poland, Sweden and Canada.
An expert panel had the tough job of testing vodkas in four categories: pure neutral, varietal, botanical and flavoured.
Country winners will undertake additional judging and compete to be deemed the world’s best, with the results to be announced on February 20.
Sunshine & Sons founder Matt Hobson was delighted the business was among the winners.
“From our humble beginnings distilling spirits on the Sunshine Coast, we are thrilled to be on the world stage alongside the world’s best distilleries from South Africa to Scotland,” he said via a media release.
“Our Original Vodka is one of less than 5 per cent of vodkas globally that are produced from grapes, giving a soft, spongy and velvety texture that is unmistakably premium in comparison to traditional grain, sugar cane and potato vodkas.
“Combining this with our uniquely local filtration system, using millennia old volcanic rock from the Sunshine Coast, gives our vodka a beautiful minerality that can be comfortably described as a floral pepperiness.”
Mr Hobson and his team are also celebrating 12 months since launching their innovative pouches of spirits onboard Australia’s newest airline Bonza.
“The award is a great way to start 2024 as we double down on export markets this year,” he said.
“In March, we will join Austrade in London and we’ll be working with our distributors to increase presence globally. We’re also working closely with Visit Sunshine Coast and the Food and Agriculture Network to shine a light on the food and agritourism sector here on the Coast – both to a national and international audience.”
Meanwhile, Beachtree Distilling Co distiller Steve Grace celebrated the business’ big win with co-founder Kirra Daley.
“We’re super stoked,” he said via a Facebook video.
“We make everything on site on the Sunshine Coast with Queensland organic sugar cane – we ferment, distil and process right here.
“So, were super proud to win this award. It means so much to us both.”
World Vodka Awards chair of judges Veronika Karlova said a new era had arrived for vodka.
“Today’s approach to vodka production has taken a new turn,” she said.
“Forget the traditional perception of vodka as tasteless and boring: it’s anything but plain and flavourless.
“Producers really pay attention to ingredients and focus on how to retain the character of raw material in vodka.”
Sunshine & Sons and Beachtree Distilling Co were also recognised at the recent World Gin Awards.
The former captured a silver medal in the matured gin section with its Barrel Aged Gin 43 per cent, and silver and bronze medals in the contemporary-style gin section with its Pineapple Parfait Gin 38 per cent and Original Dry Gin 43 per cent.
The latter was awarded silver and bronze medals in the signature botanical category with its Organic Native Skippy Gin 42 per cent and Organic Koala Gin 42 per cent.
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