Our Distillery Shines Bright in Recent Spirits Competitions

We’re very proud to announce some outstanding results in recent Australian spirits competitions for our Sunshine & Sons Spirits and Nil Desperandum Rum brands.

Sunshine & Sons on the winner’s podium

At the Australian Distiller’s Awards, our Original Dry Gin picked up Gold medal honours, while our Barrel Aged Gin grabbed a Silver and our Pineapple Parfait Gin a Bronze. At the 2023 Gin Distillers Association Awards, our Original Dry Gin picked up another Gold (!) – as did our Barrel Aged Gin. Our Pineapple Parfait Gin and recently released 4pm Gin both scored Bronzes.

Nine for Nine: Nil Desperandum Rums Triumph

Along with the recent successes of Sunshine & Sons, our cherished Rum brand, Nil Desperandum performed spectacularly at the Australian Distiller’s Awards, claiming the title of the most awarded Rum brand in Australia for the night. Of 52 rums in the competition deemed worthy of Medals all nine Nil Desperandum rums entered – including 5 rums exclusive to The 1871 Club – left with a gong; The 44 Special, an 1871 club release, received one of only six Golds awarded in the competition. 

“This is a fantastic result for Nil Desperandum Rum, we have a significant diversity of rum styles in oak across the board and for 9 from 9 entries to collect medals shows the quality we’re producing here on the Sunshine Coast, said CAVU Distilling Head Distiller, Adam Chapman. 

“Our vision to make Australia’s finest rum is well and truly underway and the style of production that will allow us to achieve that – real unadulterated rum made with molasses, Woombye Water, wild yeast and nothing else, along with expert blending, has us very excited for what the future holds for this brand,” he added.

2023 Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirits Awards 

Gold

• • Sunshine & Sons – Original Dry Gin 
  • Nil Desperandum – The 44 Special 

Silver

• • Sunshine & Sons – Barrel Aged Gin 
  • Nil Desperandum – Special
  • Nil Desperandum – 1871 Spiced
  • Nil Desperandum – The Double Dunder
  • Nil Desperandum – The Mezcal Barrel
  • Nil Desperandum – The Wild Muck 

Bronze

• • Sunshine & Sons – Pineapple Parfait Gin 
  • Nil Desperandum – Go Fourth
  • Nil Desperandum – The Road North
  • Nil Desperandum – The Roasted Cane 

Australian Gin Distillers Association Awards 

Gold

• • Sunshine & Sons – Barrel Aged Gin
  • Sunshine & Sons – Original Dry Gin 

Bronze

• • Sunshine & Sons – Pineapple Parfait Gin
  • Sunshine & Sons – 4pm Australian Dry Gin

A toast to our valued customers

To those who believe in the artistry of spirits, who raise their glasses to craftsmanship and innovation – we’re humbled and thrilled to share this journey with you and, we promise, this is just the beginning. From our barrels to your glasses, here’s to a future filled with more sips, more stories, and countless moments of celebration. Cheers!