NZ Spirits Awards

NZ Spirits Awards NZ Spirits Awards - Celebrating Excellence in Spirits Presented by Spirits New Zealand Inc.

and Distilled Spirits Aotearoa (NZ) Inc., the New Zealand Spirits Awards are a celebration of spirits in New Zealand. The organisers’ aim is to acknowledge and reward the very best in local and international spirits commercially available in New Zealand and through this promote the brands and categories to consumers and trade. The New Zealand Spirits Awards will be judged within seven categories.

Each category will be recognised with gold, silver, bronze and double-gold medals as appropriate. Trophies will be awarded for both Best in Category as well as Best in New Zealand product in Category. We are excited that the New Zealand Innovation Award is back by popular demand, and will be judged on the entrants’ overall use of New Zealand ingredients, processes, packaging and/or product design. This is a unique award and is all about the essence of New Zealand and creativity in a New Zealand context. Throughout the judging process, we aim to emphasize integrity and impartiality. Our blind tasting process undertaken by our peer-recognized national judges, guarantees that every entry is judged fairly and given equal consideration.

The NZ Spirits Awards dinner was far too good not to leave on the feed 🥃✨ It was such an incredible night celebrating th...
02/09/2026

The NZ Spirits Awards dinner was far too good not to leave on the feed 🥃✨

It was such an incredible night celebrating the absolute best of Aotearoa’s spirit scene. The level of craftsmanship, passion, and innovation coming out of local distilleries right now is unmatched. Every year the bar just keeps getting raised higher

Massive congratulations to all of the category winners, trophy holders, and talented distillers who took home awards! Your dedication to producing world-class spirits right here at home is something to be seriously proud of.

13/08/2026

Tonight’s the night! 🍸

While Fever-Tree Co-Founder and CEO Tim Warrillow couldn’t make the trip to join us in person for the NZ Spirits Awards Dinner, Fever-Tree will still be well represented tonight.

Tim has sent through a special video message, sharing a few words about the craftsmanship, quality and innovation at the heart of Fever-Tree - values that align so naturally with the New Zealand Spirits Awards.

Hit play to hear from Tim before we raise a glass to a fantastic night ahead! 🥂✨

Weekend plans? Why not visit one of New Zealand's top cocktail bars?Selected by industry experts and evaluated on innova...
07/08/2026

Weekend plans? Why not visit one of New Zealand's top cocktail bars?

Selected by industry experts and evaluated on innovation, consistency, service, and overall impact on Aotearoa’s cocktail scene, congratulations to this year’s nominees for NZ Cocktail Bar of the Year:

Bert’s Bar - Wellington
Dee’s Place - Wellington
Hawthorn Lounge - Wellington
Kemuri - Auckland
Neat - Hamilton
Panacea - Auckland
Pineapple on Parnell - Auckland
Regent - Wellington
Truth or Dare - Auckland

Huge congratulations to all nine venues setting the standard for exceptional drinks and hospitality across New Zealand.

🏆 The winner will be crowned next week at the NZ Spirits Awards Dinner at The Maritime Room. Have you secured your tickets yet? Grab yours via the link below! 🎟️

https://avenues.eventsair.com/nz-spirits-awards-2026/nzsa2026-trophy1/Site/Register

What better way to toast our newly announced award winners than an unforgettable night out?We're excited to share that T...
03/08/2026

What better way to toast our newly announced award winners than an unforgettable night out?

We're excited to share that Te Radar will be guiding us through the evening as MC for the NZ Spirits Awards Dinner on Friday, 14 August.

Gather your team, raise a glass, and celebrate with us. Secure your tickets now via the link below! 🍸

https://avenues.eventsair.com/nz-spirits-awards-2026/nzsa2026-trophy1/Site/Register

The 2026 New Zealand Spirits Awards Results Catalogue is out now! 🥂Following intensive blind tastings in Wellington acro...
30/07/2026

The 2026 New Zealand Spirits Awards Results Catalogue is out now! 🥂

Following intensive blind tastings in Wellington across 400+ entries, the 2026 medal winners are officially locked in.

Congratulations to all the talented distillers, blenders, and brands taking home Bronze, Silver, and Gold this year. The calibre of craftsmanship across Aotearoa and abroad continues to push boundaries.

👉 View the complete Results Catalogue to see all the winning medalists. https://www.spiritsawardsnz.nz/results

400+ spirits. Zero brand names visible. 3 days of total focus. 🏆Judging wrapped up at the end of last week, and the room...
24/07/2026

400+ spirits. Zero brand names visible. 3 days of total focus. 🏆

Judging wrapped up at the end of last week, and the room was packed with incredible liquid craftsmanship from here in Aotearoa and around the world.

We’re currently tallying up every point to seal the official results.

🗓️ Results drop next Thursday, 30 July.

Counting down the days! 🕒 Entries for the 2026 New Zealand Spirits Awards are open, but the deadline will be here before...
11/06/2026

Counting down the days! 🕒

Entries for the 2026 New Zealand Spirits Awards are open, but the deadline will be here before you know it.

Whether you’re crafting an incredible boutique gin, a standout wh**ky, or a unique liqueur, this is your chance to get your products in front of our expert panel during judging this July.

Don't miss out on getting the recognition your team deserves. Head over to our website and get your entries sorted today! 🍸🏆

https://www.spiritsawardsnz.nz/

Meet the Class of 2026! 🥂The Head Judges for the 2026 NZ Spirits Awards have been locked in. We’re thrilled to have this...
28/05/2026

Meet the Class of 2026! 🥂

The Head Judges for the 2026 NZ Spirits Awards have been locked in. We’re thrilled to have this incredible lineup of experts joining us to taste the best Aotearoa has to offer:

🥃 Michael Fraser Milne
🍸 Joanne Hort
🥃 Nick Widley
🍸 Marcel Thompson
🥃 Tash McGill
🍸 Gina Nicholls

With entries now open, it’s time to see how your spirits stack up against the best in the business.

Entry Deadline: 16 June

Link in below to register. 🔗
https://www.spiritsawardsnz.nz/

🚨 4 WEEKS TO GO! HAVE YOU ENTERED YET? 🚨The countdown is officially on for the 2026 New Zealand Spirits Awards! You have...
21/05/2026

🚨 4 WEEKS TO GO! HAVE YOU ENTERED YET? 🚨

The countdown is officially on for the 2026 New Zealand Spirits Awards! You have exactly four weeks to get your entries locked in before the deadline, giving our judges time to prepare for the expert blind-tasting panels this July.

Whether you’re gunning for Bronze, Silver, Gold, or the ultimate Category Trophy, your journey to being named the best in the business starts here.

Don't let the deadline slip past - distillers and distributors, get those entries locked in!

🗓️ Entries Close: 16 June 2026🔗
https://www.spiritsawardsnz.nz/

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