The Super Spirits Awards 2026
Launched in 2025 and sponsored by Super Liquor, the Super Spirits Awards were created to shine a spotlight on the best-tasting gins, whiskies, rums, and tequilas available in New Zealand – all priced under $150.
It’s a celebration of everyday spirits for everyday Kiwis, judged across simple, accessible categories to uncover the real crowd-pleasers on the shelf.
ABERLOUR 12 YEAR OLD
This 12-year-old Aberlour has been matured in two cask types, traditional oak and sherry, for a minimum of twelve years before marrying the contents. Traditional oak casks encourage the subtle character of Aberlour to develop, whilst Sherry oak adds hints of ruby-gold colour and a deep, rich flavour. A perfectly balanced single malt, rich and citrusy with notes of red apple and cinnamon.
BEST IN CLASS WHISKY
Scotch Single Malt 12 YO & Under
Aberlour 12 Year Old
Bourbon
1792 Small Batch Bourbon – Best In Class
World Whisky NZ/Japan/Canada & Australia
Thomson Two Tone – Best In Class
Scotch Blended
No Age
The Deacon – Best In Class
Irish
Mitchell & Son Green Spot Whiskey – Best In Class
BLUFF LONDON DRY GIN
Despite being distilled 19,000km away, Bluff Gin is nevertheless a great expression of a classic London Dry Gin. The bottle, however, is anything but classic, paying homage to the glass buoys that keep the foreign fishing nets afloat across protected Southern Seas. Bluff Gin is a classic London Dry Gin, with hints of juniper, coriander, and liquorice root mingled with floral and earthy notes, finishing savoury and dry.
BEST IN CLASS GIN
Classic Dry Gin
Bluff London Dry Gin – Best In Class
Contemporary Gin
Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin- Best In Class
Flavoured Gin
Hayman’s Sloe Gin – Best In Class
Mount Gay XO Triple Cask Blend
BEST IN CLASS RUM
Aged Rum 5+ Years
Mount Gay XO
Triple Cask Blend – Best In Class
Aged Rum 1– 4 Years
Planteray 3 Stars Rum – Best In Class
White Rum
Helmsman White Rum- Best In Class
Spiced Rum
Bumbu XO- Best In Class
Motel Mezcal Joven Artesanal Agave Espadín
Motel Mezcal is produced by third-generation maestro mezcalero, Daniel López and made from agave grown for a minimum of eight years, cooked on volcanic stones and double-distilled with no additives, abocantes, or sugars. Smooth and refined, it’s velvety on the palate, balanced with herbaceous notes of ripe banana, pineapple, mild oak, and a subtle smoky finish.
BEST IN CLASS AGAVES
Tequila Blanco
Mi Campo Blanco Tequila – Best In Class
Mezcal
Motel Mezcal Joven Artesanal Agave Espadín – Best In Class
Tequila Reposado
Teremana Reposado – Best In Class
MEET SOME OF OUR JUDGES
Tash McGill (Head Judge)
Tash comes from over fifteen years experience in the drinks sector, tourism and hospitality.
She is also a writer and journalist, President of the NZ Food Writers Guild, Chair of the NZ Whisky Association and consultant to industry organisations. A regular judge at spirits and cocktail competitions in NZ and abroad.
PJ Renaud
PJ is a cocktail alchemist, focusing on creating drinks using unusual techniques or ingredients. He has studied the WSET Level 3 in Spirits, and a general certificate in distilling from the IBD, as he one day hopes to run his own distillery under the name “Cauldron.
Edmundo Farrera
Edmundo is talented sommelier, and wine consultant with 20 years’ experience in top restaurants in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Mexico. Edmundo spent almost a decade working in experience in Michelin-starred restaurants and is now the owner of La Fuente Wine & Mezcal.
Gina Nicholls (Head Judge)
Gina Nicholls has been working in the hospitality industry for around a decade with past experience seeing her work at events all around the world, from royal weddings to the Formula 1 track on Yas Island. These experiences saw Gina move onto fine dining restaurants and bars, which ignited her passion for cocktail making. Gina is now on-premise sales manager for Tickety Boo.
PRINCIPAL SPONSOR
