Asia a craft spirits powerhouse – craft gin popularity – Australian & New Zealand whiskies emerge
May 30th, 2025
The Spirit of Craft Awards (SOCraft Awards) – a global platform honouring excellence in craft spirits – has announced its 2025/26 winners, marking the competition’s second year of spotlighting outstanding producers from around the world.
Entries were received from across nine countries for judging earlier in May– Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, England, India, Indonesia, Philippines, New Zealand and Switzerland.
After several rounds of rigorous judging, a panel of 20 industry experts – including Asia’s top mixologists, spirits critics, and beverage authorities – determined this year’s standout entries.
Result highlights & trends:
25 craft spirit winners were awarded:
- Two craft spirits with 3 Stars (Platinum)
- Six craft spirits with 2 Stars
- 17 craft spirits with 1 Star
- 17 craft spirits with Green Rings
1. Asia Emerges as a Craft Spirits Powerhouse
Cambodia’s Casa Seekers Mekong Bitter emerged as one of this year’s crème de la crème spirits, securing a 3 Star (Platinum) status, with judges praising its “well-harmonised flavours and approachable complexity” as a standout aperitivo. The win highlights the region’s growing craft influence, alongside award-winning gins from the Philippines, Indonesia’s traditional arak and agave from India.
Cambodia’s Casa Seekers Mekong Bitter emerged as one of this year’s crème de la crème spirits, securing a 3 Star (Platinum) status, with judges praising its “well-harmonised flavours and approachable complexity” as a standout aperitivo. The win highlights the region’s growing craft influence, alongside award-winning gins from the Philippines, Indonesia’s traditional arak and agave from India.
2. Oceania Leads with 14 Award-Winning Spirits
Spirits from Australia and New Zealand dominated this year’s awards, largely driven by gin, though distillers from both countries also earned stars for whisky and vodka, reflecting their broad craftsmanship.
Spirits from Australia and New Zealand dominated this year’s awards, largely driven by gin, though distillers from both countries also earned stars for whisky and vodka, reflecting their broad craftsmanship.
3. New World Whiskies Emerge in the Spotlight
Australian and New Zealand distillers made waves this year, with Launceston Distillery leading the charge. The Tasmanian distiller has now secured 3 Star (Platinum) status for two consecutive years, earning top honours for its Single Malt Tawny Cask Matured whisky and proving that South Hemisphere craft expressions can rival traditional whisky powerhouses in quality and innovation.
Australian and New Zealand distillers made waves this year, with Launceston Distillery leading the charge. The Tasmanian distiller has now secured 3 Star (Platinum) status for two consecutive years, earning top honours for its Single Malt Tawny Cask Matured whisky and proving that South Hemisphere craft expressions can rival traditional whisky powerhouses in quality and innovation.
4. Gin Reigns Supreme
12 craft gins earned a star this year, cementing gin’s popular status as Asia. The winning bottles originated from the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, England and Belgium. In particular, the Philippine-based Archipelago secured 2 Star status for both its Black Bamboo Gin and Navy Strength Gin, with the former especially praised for its appeal to London Dry gin drinkers who appreciate a juniper-forward gin.
12 craft gins earned a star this year, cementing gin’s popular status as Asia. The winning bottles originated from the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, England and Belgium. In particular, the Philippine-based Archipelago secured 2 Star status for both its Black Bamboo Gin and Navy Strength Gin, with the former especially praised for its appeal to London Dry gin drinkers who appreciate a juniper-forward gin.
5. Vodka’s Comeback Gains Momentum
Three vodkas from Switzerland, Australia, and the Philippines earned a star each, while Australia’s Juno Vesta Coffee Vodka clinched 2 Star status, signaling a revival for the category within Asia.
Three vodkas from Switzerland, Australia, and the Philippines earned a star each, while Australia’s Juno Vesta Coffee Vodka clinched 2 Star status, signaling a revival for the category within Asia.
Full list of 2025/26 awarded spirits:
See full award details here
(images credit Spirit of Craft awards)
