In the winning spirit

• Darby-Norris Distillery co-owner Liane Darby and a couple of bottles of the goods.

By Tony Scott,
October 06, 2021

Scottsdale’s Darby-Norris Distillery is the toast of Tasmania’s spirit producers after winning two medals at the Australian Gin Awards in Sydney last week.

Its Summer Gin won a bronze in flavoured gin class and the Navy Strength Gin took silver in the over-proof class.

The awards are the first the distillery has won since its move to Scottsdale last year.

Co-owner Liane Darby said the Summer Gin had been the baby of another of the four partners in the business Paige Darby.

“Paige worked tirelessly to achieve the fresh summer flavours after being told she would be successful because there would be too much water content.

“Well she proved everyone wrong.

“It smells like gin but tastes like watermelon,” she said. 

The medals add to the tally for the Darby-Norris team with the highest distinction of winning the trophy at the 2019 Australian Gin Awards for their Blueberry Gin, Best in Class – Flavoured. 

A number of other accolades have ensued, including Silver medals at the London Spirits competition for their Valley Gin and Tamar Vodka. 

Summer Gin has been entered, along with Barrel Aged Gin, in the 2022 London awards.