A western suburbs business serving up bartender-quality cocktails has taken out a top honour at this year’s Perth Royal Food Awards for distilled spirits.
The annual Royal Agricultural Society of WA competition, running ahead of the Perth Royal Show, awarded Idle Hands Drinks Co the champion ready to serve winner for its Lychee And Yuzu Hiball.
Mitch “Rummy” Keane and Andrew “Macca” McIntyre created Idle Hands Drinks Co to offer quality ready-to-pour bottled cocktails and spritzes that people can enjoy without heading to a bar.
Nedlands-owned distillery Tattarang Springs won best new product for its Great Southern – Ocean Gin.
The company offers a range of gin, whisky, vodka, liqueur and ready-to-drink products inspired by the sustainably-focused Tattarang Farm in Karrakup, east of Byford.
Tattarang is the private investment group of Andrew and Nicola Forrest.
An expert panel judged nearly 200 entries at this year’s competition, awarding 22 gold, 77 silver and 55 bronze medals, along with 12 trophies.
Matso’s Broome and Sunshine Coast, with headquarters in Palmyra, took out the highest honour of champion distillery.
Production manager Ross Brown said the Matso’s team loved to “push the boundaries on flavour and showcase amazing Australian ingredients in our drinks”.
“WA has some absolutely world class producers and talented, innovative distillers and we are stoked to be recognised amongst such incredible peers,” he said.
“Receiving this prestigious award highlights the exceptional quality and impact of our products.”
Mandurah’s Little Stiller Distillery won champion alternative spirit for its coffee vodka, Old Young’s in Henley Brook was awarded champion gin for its Six Seasons Gin, and South Australian entrant St Agnes Distillery took out the champion spirit category and champion brandy for its St Agnes XO.
Other winners included Carmel Cider Company – champion vodka and liqueur, Esperance Distillery Co – champion whisky, and South Australia’s Fleurieu Distillery – best new exhibitor.
Chief judge Luke McCarthy said Australia was producing some of the best spirits in the world.
“WA is such an exciting place for spirits making,” he said.
“And to see WA producers and some of the best distillers in the country competing here at the Distilled Spirits awards was an amazing result.”
Royal Agricultural Society of WA chief executive Robyn Sermon said the awards offered an opportunity to celebrate the creativity of Australia’s distillers and the ingredients and expertise behind every bottle.
“Distilling is an extraordinary meeting point between agriculture, science and creativity,” she said.
“A great spirit starts with great raw ingredients, but it takes tremendous skill and patience to transform them into a product with its own character and identity.”