About

We are newly established, this will be our first event.

ELIGIBILITY

Entries must be of New Zealand origin and produced in New Zealand, meet all legal requirements, and be commercially available. That's it.

 

COST

$45 per entry.

 

JUDGING

At the New Zealand Gin Competition, we’re taking a modern approach to judging. We are doing something a little different and are attempting to intentionally steer clear of "expert" or "professional" judges. Our idea is that our judging panel be made up of the actual consumer, the people that actually buy the products.

All judging will be conducted blindly, following international standards for spirits evaluation, and judges will receive a full brief on the day and a scoring system focusing on aroma, flavour, balance and overall quality.

Our judging relies on the everyday gin drinker to taste, rate, and voice their opinions, giving the consumer the power to decide what truly stand out. Every vote is counted, every score analyzed, and the results reveal the gins people are genuinely passionate about. The winners? The ones that don’t just impress experts, but those that captivate the hearts of the gin buying customer. 

CATEGORIES FOR 2025

Classic

Juniper forward traditional style gins, including London Dry. It must be distilled using a neutral base spirit and natural botanicals, with all flavor derived solely from the distillation process. No artificial flavouring or colouring is permitted.

Must be bottled at a minimum of 37.5% ABV.

Contemporary

A modern style of gin that broadens the traditional boundaries of the spirit. While juniper must still be present, it does not need to be dominant. A wide variety of botanicals, such as citrus, floral notes, spices, herbs, or even native/local ingredients can be prominent.

Must be bottled at a minimum of 37.5% ABV.

Flavoured

Flavoured Gin takes a classic gin base and enhances it with natural additions like fruits, spices, or herbs, creating bold and distinctive taste profiles. Juniper is still present, but the spotlight shifts to the added flavors, making this style approachable, versatile, and popular with modern gin lovers.

Must be bottled at a minimum of 37.5% ABV.

Navy

Navy Gin is a bold, high-proof style of gin. This style delivers concentrated, powerful flavors while maintaining balance and clarity. Celebrated for both its historical significance and its distinctive flavor, it represents strength, precision, and tradition in the world of gin.

Must be bottled at a minimum of 50% ABV.

Gin Liqueur

Gin Liqueur is a sweetened, lower ABV expression that blends the character of gin with added natural flavours such as fruits, spices, or botanicals. While juniper remains present, the defining feature of this category is its approachable sweetness and rich, rounded flavour profile.

Must be bottled at a minimum of 20% ABV.

Light

Light Gin, a new category in the spirits world, offers a more delicate and approachable expression of the spirit, crafted to retain the essence of gin but with a lower ABV. While juniper and botanicals remain central to its character, this style focuses on balance, refreshment, and lower alcohol content without compromising quality or complexity.

Must be bottled below 37.5% ABV.

Non alcoholic spirits are not eligible for this category.

 

COMPETITION DATES:

Entry opens: 15 October 2025

Entry closes: 15 November 2025 [all entries and samples must be received by 20 November 2025 date]

Judging: 22/23 November 2025

Embargoed results announced: 27 November 2025 [digital awards will be sent out at this time]

Results announced publicly: 28 November 2025

 

MEDALS

Medals awarded will be sent out digitally, free of charge, at the conclusion of judging. We can also provide physical medals for those that require it, this will be an additional cost and dispatched at a later date.