King Island Distillery Cocktail Competition: Serving up the Best

King Island Distillery Cocktail Competition:
Serving up the Best

King Island Distillery Bass Strait cocktail competition invited those with a passion for mixology to create their finest. With a lineup of ultra-premium spirits, a chance to win a share of $10,000 in prizes, and the task of crafting an unforgettable cocktail, bartenders, mixologists, and spirit enthusiasts alike rose to the challenge.

From August to October, we invited individuals to showcase their skills using King Island Distillery spirits—and the results astounded our esteemed judge from Sydney’s renowned Maybe Sammy cocktail bar.

Coastal Gin: Seaside Sips

Our Coastal Gin, a modern expression of gin, is crafted with a unique blend of botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica, orris, cassia, native oregano, saltbush, and waxflower, along with foraged King Island bull kelp and rock salt. Each sip captures the essence of King Island.

Contestants complemented the gins coastal profile with ingredients that reflected similar flavours. Wakame shrub, nori, rosemary, and elderflower frequently appeared, while some leaned into umami with additions like yuzu and tomato. Citrus juices such as lemon, lime, and grapefruit highlighted the refreshing qualities in the gin, while a few creative minds brought coconut notes and tropical garnishes to their creations.

Each cocktail was uniquely creative, often featuring adventurous flavours and bold presentations. Ultimately, two finalists emerged from the Coastal Gin category, demonstrating a remarkable understanding of taste, technique, and trend-setting style.

Martha’s Moonshine: Bold Brilliance

Bold, daring, and unexpected, Martha’s Moonshine embodies the thrill of discovery. Distilled from malted Australian barley, this smooth moonshine presents notes of biscuity malt, orange blossom honey, pear drops, and aniseed, making it a versatile choice in any cocktail. Many contestants amplified the rich, warm notes in Martha’s Moonshine with flavours like spiced rum, vanilla, bitters, and espresso, creating cocktails that felt reminiscent of late-night speakeasies where moonshine once flourished. For a lighter, daytime experience others opted for bright, in-season berries, peach nectar, and citrus juices—pairing beautifully with the moonshine’s natural notes of orange blossom honey and pear.

The submissions in this category were exceptional, embodying the adventurous spirit of Martha’s Moonshine. Our moonshine finalist showcased incredible creativity, pushing boundaries and fully embracing the daring essence of this unique spirit.

Gidley Dry Gin: Classic Charm

A classic dry gin with a modern twist, our Gidley Dry Gin is crafted with traditional botanicals such as juniper, coriander, angelica, cassia, and orris, alongside Australian botanicals including aniseed myrtle, Tasmanian pepperberry, Kakadu plum, local rosemary, and fresh citrus zest.

Contestants highlighted the Gidley Dry Gin citrus brightness by using fresh fruits like strawberries, lemon, lime, and even limoncello for extra zest. The rich juniper profile was beautifully enhanced with basil, lavender, and local herbs, while earthy undertones were elevated by Aperol and vermouth, adding depth and complexity.

True to the resilient spirit of Gidley Dry Gin—metaphorically a beacon in a storm—the cocktails crafted in this category were bold, crisp, and heartwarming. While these entries did not sail through to the final round, the creativity and passion they embodied will be remembered.

After evaluating all entries, our judge was deeply impressed by the sheer talent, creativity, and dedication displayed by each participant. Selecting the top three cocktails for final judging at Maybe Sammy was no easy task. In the end, taste, technique, construction, and presentation led us to our finalists, showcasing the artistry of mixology with King Island Distillery’s ultra-premium spirits.