King Island Distillery Bass Strait Celebrates Four National Awards for

King Island Distillery Bass Strait has been recognised at the 2025 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards, with four of its handcrafted spirits receiving accolades across both flavour and design categories.

A Toast to Craftsmanship and Purity

Now in its 11th year, the Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards is the country’s most prestigious celebration of excellence in locally distilled spirits and liqueurs. With an expert judging panel drawn from around the globe, the awards recognise standout spirits that push boundaries while upholding the highest standards of quality.

This year, King Island Distillery Bass Strait stood out among Australia’s leading distilleries, receiving accolades across all four of its core expressions—a testament to the distillery’s unwavering commitment to purity, process and place.

Founder and Managing Director Vaughan O’Connor shared:

“To have all four of our spirits recognised for both flavour and design is an incredible achievement. It’s a proud moment that reflects the hard work, craftsmanship, and care that goes into every bottle we produce here on King Island.”

“This recognition puts a spotlight on the purity of our ingredients, the integrity of our process, and the world-class potential of Australian craft distilling.”

Award-Winning Spirits from a Place Like Nowhere Else on Earth

King Island Coastal Gin

Silver – Australian Contemporary Gin Category

Silver – Design Category

A modern coastal expression, King Island Coastal Gin captures the spirit of the island’s wild shores. Distilled with classic gin botanicals and locally foraged bull kelp, this gin delivers a clean, briny complexity that evokes windswept beaches and salt air. Enjoy it simply with a premium tonic and citrus twist, or stir into a martini for a bracing finish.

Martha’s Moonshine

Silver – Unlisted Spirit Category

Silver – Design Category

Bold, unfiltered and distinctly original, Martha’s Moonshine challenges expectations. Double-distilled from Australian malted barley and rainwater, it balances notes of biscuit, orange blossom, and pear drops. Whether served over ice or used to reinvent your favourite cocktail, this award-winning spirit celebrates creativity in every pour.

Waterwitch Vodka

Bronze – Flavour Distilled Vodka Category

Silver – Design Category

With clarity as pure as the island skies and a namesake schooner that once braved these waters, Waterwitch Vodka is smooth, elegant and refined. Crafted using King Island rainwater and a meticulous small-batch process, it offers the perfect base for long mixers or elevated cocktails that demand finesse.

Gidley Dry Gin

Bronze – London Dry Gin Category

Bronze – Design Category

A nod to tradition with an island twist, Gidley Dry Gin is an ultra-premium expression made with juniper, angelica, and native Australian botanicals including aniseed myrtle and pepperberry. Crafted with the world’s purest rainwater, this spirit offers a sophisticated take on the classic London Dry.

Handcrafted with Purpose

Every bottle produced by King Island Distillery Bass Strait reflects the island itself—untamed, pristine, and purposeful. Using only King Island rainwater, small-batch techniques, and no automation, the distillery remains deeply committed to its environment. Sustainability practices—from reusing still water for brewing to repurposing spent grain as local livestock feed -underscore the care behind the craft.

Raising the Bar for Australian Spirits

Melbourne Royal Senior Manager of Food and Beverage Awards, Kirrily Waldhorn, reflected on the importance of the awards:

“Beyond winning a coveted Melbourne Royal medal or trophy, entrants in the Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards received valuable feedback from our expert judges, gained international recognition, and connected with a global network of distillers.”

“As a leading international spirits competition, this event drives innovation and helps raise the bar for quality across the entire industry.”

King Island Distillery Bass Strait extends its congratulations to the other distilleries recognised at this year’s awards and celebrates this milestone alongside the broader Australian spirits community.

Explore the Range

For more information on our premium spirits range, visit www.kingislanddistillery.com.au