Distillery a rising star in spirit world

Central Otago’s Prophecy Distilling was recognised as a rising star when it received the emerging product award for its gin at the New Zealand Spirits Awards dinner in Auckland last Friday.

The annual awards recognised Prophecy’s "innovative spirit and promising potential" in New Zealand’s competitive spirits market.

Prophecy Distilling, a small all-in-house distillery based in Earnscleugh, has come along way in a short period of time.

Anna Ballantine, one of the company’s four directors, said they had only been operating for four months, working out of a shipping container they converted and equipped themselves.

"Earlier in the month we won a silver medal for our vodka and bronze medal for our gin in their respective classes at the same awards," she said.

"As a young local business, we’re incredibly proud to see our hard work and our Central Otago roots recognised on a national stage."

The Cue Marketing Emerging Product Award celebrates new or recently launched products that showcase exceptional innovation, strong market potential, distinctive branding, high craftsmanship, and a genuine connection to New Zealand’s unique identity and ingredients.

Prophecy’s win places it alongside some of the most exciting new distilleries shaping the future of the country’s spirits industry, a statement said.

The New Zealand Spirits Awards, now in their sixth year, celebrate excellence in both local and international spirits available in Aotearoa.

Judged by panels of industry experts, entries are awarded bronze, silver and gold medals—recognising outstanding quality in each category.

The top spirits in each category are recognised with bronze, silver, gold and double-gold medals as judged by panels of industry experts.

The absolute best are recognised with trophies awarded for best New Zealand and best overall in each category.

This year, New Zealand distilleries claimed nine of the 13 trophies at the awards, which included

550 international entrants.

— Allied Media