RAS set to judge Australian spirits for the first time in four decades

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) will venture into the world of distilled spirits for the first time since 1981 next year as it launches its inaugural stand-alone Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show.

Under the guidance of Australian drinks industry veteran, Stuart Gregor, the competition will support the growth of the Australian spirits and drinks industry by providing producers with the opportunity to benchmark their products at a national level and go under the tastebuds of some of the best in the business.

The Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show will join the RAS’ calendar of prestigious wine, dairy and fine food competitions which include the Sydney Royal Wine Show and Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show.

Set to take place in September 2024 classes will include Brandy, Cane Spirit, Gin, Liqueur, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey, Alternative Distilled Spirits, Non-Alcoholic and a stand-alone Ready to Drink (RTD) class, with fifteen Champion trophies up for grabs.

As the competition’s first Chair of Judges, Stuart Gregor says he can’t wait to get stuck in.

“Obviously I am thrilled to have been asked to Chair the inaugural, stand-alone Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show. I say stand-alone because the RAS has records of judging spirits back to 1870 when a South Australian gin was entered; and in 1877 there were SIX Queensland rums entered in the annual RAS awards,” Gregor said.

“The spirits industry in Australia has grown phenomenally over the past decade and Sydney Royal’s decision to create and promote a stand-alone competition for all spirits, RTDs and non-alcoholic “spirit-type products” is testament to the industry’s growth and increasing maturity. Of course, brandy has long been an important part of the Sydney Royal Wine Show and will now be judged alongside other spirits at this show.

“Everyone knows how rich the history of the RAS is, and for those of us who grew up in Sydney and have attended the Easter Show every year since birth, it is wonderful to see spirits play a part alongside our great wines, beers, ciders and of course the best agricultural products, baked goods and livestock in Australia.
“This will be a robust show, with what I am sure will be an impressively strong judging panel who will rigorously and honestly assess the best that Australia’s 450 plus distillers can produce.”

As an organisation focused on championing Australian agriculture, the new competition will aim to highlight products made with at least 85 percent Australian-grown ingredients. This requirement is currently implemented across all wine, dairy, and fine food competitions.

Championships up-for-grab will include Champion Cane Spirit or Rum, Champion Single Malt Whiskey, Champion Grain or Blend Whiskey, Champion Traditional Gin, Champion Contemporary Gin, Champion Other Gin, Champion Liqueur, Champion Vodka, Champion Alternate Spirit, Distilled Spirits Grand Champion, International Judge Trophy, Chair of Judges Trophy, Best NSW Spirit, Champion Non-Alcoholic Spirit, The JJ McWilliam Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Brandy and Australia’s first 'officially’ judged Champion RTD.

The Sydney Royal Distilled Spirits Show will open for entries in April 2024.
Interested Australian producers are encouraged to complete an expressions of interest form via the RAS website (www.rasnsw.com.au) and keep an eye out for entries opening in April 2024. 

Interested Judges are encouraged to contact the RAS Wine, Dairy & Fine Food team at distilledspirits@rasnsw.com.au