West Coast distillery outshines rap legends

Reefton Distilling Co. has taken out Platinum – Best in Class for bottle design at the 2025 SIP Awards in California for its new Little Biddy Gin bottle series — one of only two Platinum awards given in the entire series design category. The other Platinum went to Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop, the rappers’ newly launched brand. But it was Reefton Distilling Co. that edged out the hip hop heavyweights to claim Best in Class — the highest honour awarded.

The SIP Awards — now in its 17th year — is the world’s only international spirits competition judged exclusively by consumers. The 2025 event attracted more than 1300 entries from 47 countries, judged via a double-blind tasting process by nearly 300 spirits enthusiasts.

All entries were assessed using the NEAT glass — a tool specifically designed to enhance the accuracy of aroma and flavour evaluation. Judges scored each spirit on aroma, taste, and finish. Awards were given across multiple tiers, including Platinum, Double Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Additional honours included Best in Class, Innovation Awards, and Packaging Design Awards.

In addition to the design award, Reefton Distilling Co. also impressed in the taste categories — picking up Gold for its Little Biddy Classic Gin, Double Gold for its Amber Little Biddy Gin and an Innovation Award for its unique pounamu filtration process — where pristine West Coast rainwater is passed through a specially designed filter containing greenstone gifted by Ngāti Waewae, imbuing it with the wairua (spirit) of the region.

The company also collected two more Golds at the 2025 Super Spirits Awards held earlier this month.

Reefton Distilling Co. founder and chief executive Patsy Bass said the result was “beyond exhilarating.”

“These results are a huge honour for our team. Every win is a reflection of the people behind the scenes, the quality of our ingredients, and our deep connection to this place we call home.”

Since introducing their new Little Biddy bottle series in late 2024, the company has seen a significant jump in demand.

“Sales have increased by more than 40 percent since we launched the new design,” Bass said. “It’s helped us cut through on the shelf — but more importantly, it’s allowed us to tell our story in a more powerful way.”

Founded in 2018, Reefton Distilling Co. has carved out a global reputation for its handcrafted spirits, including the award-winning Little Biddy Gin range. Inspired by a four-foot-tall gold prospector of the same name, the gin is made using native botanicals foraged from the surrounding rainforest and pristine West Coast rainwater filtered over pounamu. The distillery is also preparing to launch its first whisky — Moonlight Creek Single Malt — with a limited release of just 1,000 bottles due out in late 2025 and available exclusively by ballot.

Development West Coast chief executive Heath Milne said the distillery’s recent haul of awards at the SIP Awards was a proud moment not just for Reefton, but for the entire region.

“This shows the world what the Coast is capable of,” he said. “Reefton Distilling Co. is part of a growing list of world-class West Coast exporters.”

“Our lush green pastures, fertile soil, and clean, clear water give us the best ingredients in the world. But it’s the hard work and innovation of our entrepreneurs that turn those natural advantages into award-winning food and drink.”

As for Snoop and Dre?

“They’re welcome to come and visit Reefton anytime,” Bass laughed. “If they bring the juice, we’ve got the gin.”

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Original story:

Stuff (14/07/2025): Reefton v rap royalty: The showdown no one saw coming