Why award-winning whiskey from a South Australian distillery stands out among the world’s best spirits
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When it comes to whisky, you probably think of Scotland, and for good reason, but one Australian distillery is being praised and recognized for standing out among the best spirits in the world.
23rd Street Distillery was recently honored at The Spirits Business Luxury Masters 2024 awards with two of the South Australian brand’s tips being named the best in the world. No small feat for a distillery that has only been around since 2016.
The 23rd Street Australian whiskywon gold in the World Whiskey Super Premium category while the 23rd Street Australian Single Malt Whiskywon gold in the Ultra Premium class.
“With 95 percent of whiskey sold in Australia being imported, we wanted to disrupt the category by creating a whiskey that Australians could be truly proud of,” says Chris Illman of 23rd Street Distillery.
“Achieving two gold medals at The Spirits Business Luxury Masters is not only a significant milestone for our team, but also a testament to the dedication, passion and craftsmanship that has gone into creating our Australian whiskey range.”
The Australian whisky has aromas of ‘citrus, orange blossom and caramelized fruit’ and is described as a palette of ‘sweet oils and biscuit malt, framed by vanillin oak. Dark chocolate spices, roasted nuts and toffee notes unfold towards a lingering, creamy finish.’
The brand recommends enjoying it over ice and with charred almonds or an Australian aged hard cheese.
In the meantime the Single Malt is described as having ‘aromas of toffee, lofty fruit and delicate vanillin oak’, while the palate is noted as ‘full and slightly sweet, with citrus and apricot, malted milk before bedtime, and an aftertaste of butterscotch oak and lingering warmth .’
Paul Burnett, 23rd Street’s master distiller, said the brand focuses on using high-quality local ingredients and that aroma and flavor are key factors during the whiskey distilling process.
We focus on delivering new spirits of the highest quality, focusing on sweet oils and rich layers of grain and malt. The distillation is done purely on the basis of smell and taste,” he said.
‘Only the purest fraction of the spirit is reduced to approximately 65 percent and aged for 2.5 years in a huge variety of oak barrels and small oak barrels.’
Burnett compared the way 23rd St makes whiskey to international counterparts: “Australian whiskey shares some similarities with imported whiskies, but has a few key differences.”
‘Aussie Whiskeys such as our 23rd St Australian Whiskey – use premium local malting barley, distilled in Australia and also exposed to the Australian climate due to maturation.’
‘Many whiskeys made in Scotland are matured at temperatures around freezing. Australian Whiskey is matured at higher temperatures, which accelerates maturation and concentrates the flavors. I love that our whiskey is matured in our climate in Australia – it makes it truly special from start to finish.”
23rd Street also make a double barrel Hybrid Whiskey ($84.88) but the brand is not only making waves thanks to its whiskey range.
The distillery also makes a range of gins, including a lively one Violet Gin ($93.09) and a citrusy one Yuzi gin ($87.19)as well as vodkas, including the award-winning Riverland Rose vodka ($83.95) or are Pomegranate Vodka ($74.00) and flavored RTDs as are Tropical Gin and Soda Cans ($30.68 for four) at.
Not only does the brand make award-winning drinks, but the stylish bottles and beautiful artwork make the drinks the perfect gift for any drinks lover.
Although the distillery has only been in operation for eight years, it is located on a historic site in Renmark, South Australia, home to Australia’s first co-operative winery, Renmano, for almost a century.
Click to buy 23rd Street drinks on Amazon here.
