Launched in 2019, the Royal Australian Spirit Awards is one of the most prominent competitions dedicated to recognising excellence in Australian and New Zealand distilling. Run by the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia—the organisation behind the long-standing Royal Adelaide Wine Show—the awards highlight the quality and diversity of the region’s spirits, with a strong emphasis on small-batch and craft producers.
Unlike global competitions, RASA focuses solely on entries from Australia and New Zealand, offering a dedicated platform for local distillers to gain visibility and validation. While the awards span all major categories, including gin, rum, and vodka, whisky has become an increasingly important part of the competition, with a growing number of entries and standout winners.
For distilleries, a medal or trophy at RASA carries weight. It not only marks a high level of technical and creative achievement, but also serves as a trusted signal of quality for retailers, the trade, and consumers alike.
For those seeking a quick overview, the following table summarizes the essential details of the Royal Australian Spirit Awards. This at-a-glance format provides the most critical data points for a rapid understanding of the competition’s framework.
Organiser: Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of South Australia (RA&HS)
Founded: 2019
Headquarters: Adelaide, South Australia
Cadence: Annual
Next Awards: October 2026
All spirits entered into the Royal Australian Spirit Awards are evaluated through a structured blind tasting process, ensuring each is judged purely on merit. Panels are composed of experienced industry professionals, including distillers, drinks writers, and technical judges, all selected for their expertise across various spirit categories.
Each entry is assessed on appearance, aroma, flavour, and balance, with scoring based on a 20-point system. Spirits that meet defined thresholds are awarded Bronze, Silver, or Gold medals. In each category, the top-scoring spirit earns the coveted Champion Trophy.
The judging process also includes special recognition for small-batch producers, with a dedicated trophy highlighting standout craft spirits. Ultimately, one spirit is named Champion Spirit of Show—an award reserved for the highest-performing entry across all categories.
While the Royal Australian Spirit Awards celebrates a wide range of categories, whisky has steadily become one of its most competitive and closely watched. Entries span a variety of styles, including single malts, blends, grain whiskies, and small-batch expressions from across Australia and New Zealand.
Each year, the top-scoring whisky is awarded the Champion Whisky Trophy, with additional medals given based on quality benchmarks. A standout whisky may also compete for the Champion Small Batch award—designed to honour limited-production releases—and even the overall Champion Spirit of Show.
Recent years have seen whisky take centre stage. In 2025, Amber Lane Distillery’s Equinox not only won Champion Whisky but also claimed both the Small Batch and overall Spirit of Show trophies—a rare triple win that underscored whisky’s rising status within the competition.
For distilleries, a win at the Royal Australian Spirit Awards offers more than just bragging rights. It serves as a powerful endorsement, signalling quality and craft to both consumers and the trade. Medal and trophy winners often use their accolades to boost brand visibility, enhance marketing efforts, and attract new retail and distribution opportunities.
For consumers, a RASA award is a reliable marker of excellence—especially in a market where new brands and releases appear regularly. It helps guide purchase decisions and builds trust in lesser-known names.
Within the industry, RASA recognition carries weight. Buyers, importers, and bar owners increasingly look to the results as a reference point when sourcing standout local spirits. With its growing reputation and clear focus on quality, the Royal Australian Spirit Awards has become a key fixture in the Australasian whisky and craft spirits landscape.
For more information or to view past winners, visit the official website: https://www.spiritawards.com.au/
