SWAN Valley distillery Old Young’s has been crowned international and Australian champions in their industry for vodka and gin.
The distillery, which has only been open for a little more than year, won Best International Vodka at the American Distilling Institute Award last month for its Pure No.1 vodka, as well as taking out Best International Flavoured Vodka and Best International Grain to Glass Vodka.
In the same week, distiller and founder of Old Young’s James Young was also recognised at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards, winning Champion Australian Distiller, sharing the title with Kununnurra’s Hoochery Distillery and winning the title of champion vodka.
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READ NOWMr Young said it was humbling to win the awards especially as a new business.
“For a business that’s only been trading for just over 12 months and coupled with the company in these awards is inspiring and humbling,” he said.
“Being in the company of Limeburners and Hoochery, who have all been running for a long time, is something to be proud of and excited about.”
He said as a distiller he always wanted to offer something different to other craft distillers.
“I’ve always got a plan. When I make it, I always think about how people can drink it,” he said.
Mr Young said distilling was his fifth career in his life so far, but felt all his previous jobs, including in marketing and chemistry, had helped him with Old Young’s.
He said craft distilling in WA was booming and the state boasted some of the best distillers in the industry.
“There isn’t a lot of competition between local craft distillers, but our main idea is to get people to buy local craft products and support local rather than commercial brands.”
Mr Young said he had plans in place to expand the business and start stocking his vodka and gin nationally.
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