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