SouWester’s barrel aged gin has been awarded a bronze medal at the coveted Tasting Australia Spirit Awards.
More than 60 of Australia’s finest distillers participated in the awards, where producers were recognised for their ingenuity and energy.
SouWester founder Danielle Costley said she was incredibly proud to be recognised alongside distillers such as Four Pillars and Kangaroo Island.
“When I began my journey into distilling, I wanted to create a product of a similar standard to that produced by Four Pillars and Forty Spotted by Lark distillery,” she said.
“To have our gin standing alongside these producers gives me further incentive to keep creating premium products that are reflective of our South West region in WA – and to continue producing spirits with a difference,” she said.
“All the cuts on my hands from foraging for those native finger limes was certainly worth it.”
SouWester Gin, which was released in January, builds on the classic foundations of juniper berries and coriander seeds, and is infused with local, native botanicals, individually distilled with Margaret River rainwater.
Hints of vanilla and toasty oak are achieved through the use of Ice Pressed Chardonnay barrels from premium Margaret River wine producer Fraser Gallop Estate.
The spirits were judged by an expert panel made up of Australia’s most reputable industry leaders, including Australian whisky godfather, Bill Lark and wine critic Nick Stock.
Mr Stock said the award-winning spirits were extremely high-quality examples of their type.
“The judges gave a huge amount of consideration to each and every award and I think that’s reflected in the quality of the entries that have been recognised.”
