Many members would be aware of the success of many Australian Distillers receiving awards at the recent San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This is the largest and most prestigious spirits competition in the world. It is built on a solid reputation they have developed over 43 years.

The President and the Chief Executive have been in discussions with the organisers of the competition. They have raised concerns that several Australian Distillers have contacted them, in some cases, in threatening terms. We would like to remind all members of the important partnerships that are created by organisations who promote and expand spirit confidence to consumers. We see the SFWSC, along with many other competitions, as allies and supporters of our industry.

This year, the SFWSC created a new category of Australian Single Malt Whisky and many of our distillers received acclaim. Congratulations to those members who received medals.

Members are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence and understanding of rules and categories, prior to entering any competition. Rules of entry are different for each competition. In the case of SFWSC they have assured us that anyone can enter a product in their competition, at any stage of the commercialisation process. This year they received more than 6,000 entrants. Each entry is judged on the information provided and it is a blind testing.

Members are reminded that they should not invoke or suggest any association or claim to speak on behalf of the Australian Distillers Association or body associated with the Association, when making requests or claims to any organisation.

Members will be reminded that the only competition we officially endorse is the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards, that is hosted by Melbourne Royal. In the case of ADSA the following terms must be met:

• Exhibitors must be registered with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as a licensed distiller or manufacturer and must provide a copy of their ATO Excise Manufacturer Licence (EML) during the entry process. If the exhibitor is not the manufacturer (distiller) of the product entered, the exhibitor warrants that they have the relevant permits and/or licences to enter the product.
• Entries must be manufactured (distilled) and packaged in Australia.
• Entries must comply with Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.7.5 – Spirits and must not contain any illegal additives.
• Entries must comply with the Australian regulatory requirements that apply in relation to product, labelling and excise (including the Excise Act 1901).
• Entries must be of sound, marketable quality from a commercial production or batch, finished and sealed in their final container with Batch / Barrel / Cask / Bottle Numbers.
• Entries must be commercially available in the precise composition and in the same packaging, including the labels, in which it is submitted for judging. Tank samples and especially bottled batches will not be accepted as entries into the competition.
• An exhibit can be entered only once into the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards, however an exhibitor can enter multiple exhibits into a class so long as they can demonstrate a technical difference between the exhibits.

Holly Klintworth
President

Cam Syme
Vice President