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Yarra Valley-based distillery Four Pillars has been declared the International Gin Producer of the Year for the second consecutive year at the International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) in London.
The Australian gin producer beat out some tough competition to take the title including Kangaroo Island Spirits, Herno from Sweden, and the Zamora Company's Martin Miller's gin.
The International Gin Producer of the Year award is given by the IWSC to the distillery that has not only performed best in the competition with its individual products but has also led the category in innovation and excellence across the year.
To win the prestigious award two years in a row surprised Four Pillars co-founder and distiller Cameron Mackenzie (pictured right).
"After the year we've had and the exhaustion we have felt, I couldn't quite believe it when they called out our name," Mackenzie said.
"I was wearing my full kilt for good luck, same as I did last year in London, and I don't think I will take it off all day, maybe all week.
"I am now off for a socially distanced drink or two...who'd have thought that phrase would be uttered a year ago!"
In addition to being named the International Gin Producer of the Year, Four Pillars took out two gold medals at the competition for its Bloody Shiraz Gin and Rare Dry Gin.
"Producer trophies are the pinnacle of achievement," IWSC Head of Tastings Pip Mortimer said.
"They reward the overall portfolio, ethos and achievement of companies that enter the IWSC."
Four Pillars today produces around 600,000 bottles of gin per year, making it Australia's leading gin distillery.
Australia continues its gin boom which has seen the local product grow 19.3 per cent year-on-year and over five years by 34.3 per cent.
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