The new Spirit of Craft Awards spotlights independently-made tipples through an Asian lens

Two homegrown spirits have been recognised at the inaugural Spirit of Craft Awards, which highlights independently-made craft spirits through an Asian lens. They are Tanglin’s Black Powder Gin, which received a two-star rating (out of the maximum three), and Tanglin’s Triple Tangerine Mandarin Orange Liqueur was rated one-star.

They are part of the 43 craft spirits from around the world commended by the Singapore-based Spirit of Craft Awards, or SOCraft Awards, which announced the winners today (14 May). 

The freshly-minted awards shine the spotlight on spirits, ranging from gin, rum, bitters, whisky, liqueur, agavepura, vodka to bourbon, that are produced by independent distilleries around the world. The winning labels come from over 15 countries such as Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, the UK, Cambodia, Martinique, India, France, Italy and Canada. 

This is in line with a growing trend of bartenders in Asia’s bustling bar scene incorporating craft spirits in their cocktails. 

The winners received one, two or three star ratings, and some also received a ‘Green Ring’ status, which recognises the distillery’s sustainability efforts, on top of the starred ratings. 13 craft spirits received 1 star, eight received two stars, while two received three stars and the Green Ring rating.  

Tasmania-based Launceston Distillery’s Single Malt Tawny Cask Matured received the highest-rated three-star rating and a Green Ring. The whisky is matured in French Oak casks previously used to age tawny fortified wine. Its smooth rich mouthfeel, coupled with flavours of Christmas pudding, dried fruit, cinnamon and clove. Another three-star winner is Isle of Raasay Single Malt, a whisky made from a unique six-cask recipe that comprises peated and unpeated spirits. 

Ivy Woo, managing director of Food News a Singapore-based F&B marketing and branding consultancy, which also organises the Singapore Cocktail Festival, says: “Aside from providing a gateway for global craft spirit makers to connect with buyers and consumers in Asia, the awards also aim to be a source of inspiration for drink makers here. SOCraft awards is where they can discover some of the most amazing small-batch spirits in the world. In this first edition, at least 70% of the entries are new to the Singapore market,”

Judging craft spirits through an Asian lens 

What sets the SOCraft Awards apart from other similar industry awards is that it is judged through an Asian perspective. The awards’ organiser, Food News assembled a panel of 36 judges, comprising bar owners, mixologists, bartenders, distributors and members of the media across Asia. 

They include Minakshi Singh, co-founder of Sidecar in India (ranked No. 18 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023), Kiki Moka, Founder and Head Mixologist at The Cocktail Club (No. 19), Terry Kim, founder of Alice in Seoul (ranked No. 28) and Holly Graham, founder of Tokyo Confidential bar in Japan and managing editor of Drink Magazine. 

From January to April, artisanal spirit brands from around the world were invited to submit their entries. The bottles made their way to Singapore for a blind ‘small-batch’ tasting session and judging, which took place from May 2 to 4. Staying true to the spirit of the awards, the shortlisted craft distillers must produce no more than 750,000 gallons of liquid annually, adhering to the American Craft Spirits Association’s definition of craft spirits. 

The shortlisted craft spirits were judged based on its aroma and bouquet, mouthfeel, taste, finish and overall impression. Craft spirits, which have made inroads in their sustainability efforts, were awarded an additional Green Ring status. The award segment was scored separately by Heidi Yu Spurrell, founder of food sustainability consultancy Future Green; and Sasha Wijidessa, co-Founder of sustainability-driven bar, Fura.

From Singapore, the Tanglin Black Powder Gin (2 stars) boasts peppery herbal notes and a lingering and smooth finish. Its sister liqueur, the Triple Tangerine Mandarin Orange Liqueur, which is an ode to the Singapore Sling, is distilled with mandarin orange, calamansi, and kaffir lime leaf.

For the full list of winners, visit here.