David Woodruff and Renee Newton have recently launched their spirits range at Everyday Legacy Distillery. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Just 7 months into their business journey, local distillers Renee Newton and David Woodruff of Everyday Legacy Distillery have come away with two big wins at the Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards.
The pair distil gin in Queanbeyan. Their first gin was an Australian Dry Gin, a juniper-forward spirit with a hefty dose of citrusy lemon myrtle. It’s fragrant, balanced and begging to be drunk with tonic on a sunny afternoon.
The judges agreed: this gin has taken home two gold medals in the Australian Contemporary Gin and Gin and Tonic categories.
Renee Newton told Region that the pair are “really chuffed” with the results.
“It legitimises what we’re doing. Obviously you don’t want to always rely on other people to tell you you’re doing a good job, but it’s nice to get a pat on the head and get a gold star every now and again!
“It was really nice to read the critical feedback from the judges knowing that the people who gave it want nothing but the best for you.”
In fact, the judges were surprised to learn that they were such a new operation, which is a compliment in and of itself.
Hold Fast Distillery won a trophy in the Best Navy Gin category. Photo: Hold Fast Distillery/Instagram.
And they’re not the only local distillery who came away with wins.
Braidwood-based Hold Fast Distillery won the trophy for Best Navy Gin for their Man O’ War Gin. Head distiller and navy veteran Gavin Gillin also runs Troopers Rest in Braidwood, a restaurant and bar in an historic building.
Other local winners include Hillman Bros Distilling Co, which is based in the Yass Valley. They also won gold in the Contemporary Australian Gin Category for their Modern Australian Gin, and the Canberra Distillery took away a handful of silver medals across their range of whisky, gin and liqueurs.
“We’ve been kicking around with these guys through the Spirits Canberra organisation, and it was great to see the region really well represented. It feels like we’re helping to grow the local industry along with them,” said Renee.
Everyday Legacy Distillery is taking their Australian Dry Gin to the Sydney Show next, and Renee said they are looking forward to receiving different feedback from a new panel of judges. They’re also entering their limited edition Christmas Gin Liqueur.
The Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards received a record-breaking 1036 entries, submitted by 256 exhibitors from seven countries. A judging panel of 54 spirits experts assessed the entries and awarded 29 trophies and 138 gold medals.
For the full list of show winners, visit the Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.
