By Rebecca Harris
An Australian distiller has achieved what no other local distiller has by winning the coveted ‘Worldwide Distiller of the Year’ at the 2009 International Wine and Spirits Competition in London.
The distiller - The Holey Dollar Rum Distilling Company – won the Award on the basis of three rums submitted to the competition, Silver Coin – Premium; Gold Coin – Overproof; and Platinum Coin – Cask Strength.
All were awarded gold medals and were voted ‘Best in Class’ in their respective categories.
In addition, the Gold Coin was awarded the trophy for ‘Best Rum’ of the competition.
“We were over the moon, beating 84 of the best rums in the world to receive the trophy,” master distiller Stuart Gilbert said. “But to be appointed ‘Worldwide Distiller of the Year’, the highest accolade ever presented to a rum company, really is the ‘Holy Grail’.”
The Holey Dollar Rum Distilling Company was founded in 2008 by Gilbert and a director of local liquor distributor Southtrade International, Tony Stubley. Gilbert’s aim was to develop a blend that would pay homage to the first settlers and the concept of ‘mateship’ which grew from them.
The International Wine and Spirits Competition is one of the industry’s most respected competitions and each year receives more than 7000 from around 80 countries.
