Limeburners dominates distillers awards

Western Australian distillers took home the majority of awards handed out at the 2016 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards last night, with Albany’s Limeburners crowned as distiller of the year.

Limeburners, also known as the Great Southern Distilling Company, took home the Champion Australian Distiller, the Champion Whisky the Champion Small Batch Spirit awards for its single malt whisky Heavy Peat M226.

Limeburners has been distilling whisky for 10 years out of its wind farm-powered boutique distillery in Albany, as well as its distillery in Margaret River.

Kununurra’s Hoochery Distillery received the Champion Rum award for its Ord River Rum, while Swan Valley’s Old Young’s Distillery took home the Champion Gin award for its Pure No. 1.

The 2016 awards attracted 154 entries from 42 exhibitors, representing over 80 per cent of Australian distillers.

Department of Racing Gaming and Liquor Minister Colin Holt said that, of the eight awards on offer, WA’s distillers won five.

“These distilleries are not only a source of great pride for our state, but also provide significant employment and tourism opportunities,” he said.

“The Liberal government is reducing regulatory burden so the distilling sector can continue to grow.

“Further red tape reductions have been planned following consultation with the industry for later this year and, pending state government approval, a measure to allow distillers to serve their product with a mixer for tastings will also be introduced.”