This year's results were particularly lovely because they represented such a broad cross-section of what we make here in Golden Bay. From whiskey and bourbon to gin and fruit liqueurs, they reflect both some of our oldest traditions and the spirits that have evolved alongside the distillery over the years.
Our 2026 results were:
🥈 Silver — Boysenberry Liqueur
🥈 Silver — Greenstone Gin
🥈 Silver — Waitui Whiskey
🥈 Silver — Bourbon
🥉 Bronze — Coffee Liqueur
🥉 Bronze — Tangelo Liqueur
🥉 Bronze — Blackcurrant Barrel Aged
There are a few results in there that feel particularly special.
Waitui Whiskey receiving Silver came at a fitting moment, just as we released Cask 9 and marked the beginning of Waitui's next chapter. More than two decades after we first began making Waitui, it's pretty lovely to see it continuing to hold its own amongst New Zealand spirits.
Our Boysenberry Liqueur and Greenstone Gin both receiving Silver was particularly rewarding this year. We've spent time refining and improving both spirits over the past year, so seeing that work reflected in the results was a lovely moment for the team. Our Lost Barrel Bourbon also received Silver – giving us four very different Silver Medal spirits, each representing a different part of what we do.
And then there are our fruit spirits. Making spirits from the produce that grows around us has always been a big part of Kiwi Spirit, so seeing our Blackcurrant Barrel Aged recognised alongside our Coffee Liqueur and Tangelo Liqueur was another result worth celebrating.
Seven medals is something we're incredibly proud of, particularly as a small family-owned distillery making everything here in Golden Bay.
The New Zealand Spirits Awards are also a valuable opportunity for us to have our spirits independently judged and receive feedback on what we're making. As Kiwi Spirit continues to grow and evolve, that feedback gives us another perspective on our spirits – what we're doing well, where we can keep refining, and how our range is developing from year to year.
Four Silvers. Three Bronzes. Seven medals for Kiwi Spirit Distillery at the 2026 New Zealand Spirits Awards.
A pretty special result for our little team here in Golden Bay and one we were very happy to celebrate all together.