Winners of the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards (AISA) have been announced, with some of Australia’s finest distillers taking home top honours, alongside international producers for the first time. Master Distiller Ben Horley added: “The Melbourne Royal Awards attract Australia’s finest distillers, making these honours especially rewarding. Other Champion Trophy winners were French producer Distillerie Bonne Mère, which accepted Champion International Distiller, and Tasmania’s Island Coast Spirits, which was awarded Champion Australian Nomad Distiller. This year, the two Champion Category winners were Never Never Distilling Co, whose Triple Juniper Gin was named Champion Australian Gin, and Daylesford Spirit Distillery, which accepted Champion Victorian Gin for its Australian Dry Gin. From emerging distilleries to established names, the 2026 entries reflected the passion, innovation and ambition driving the next chapter of the Australian spirits industry.”