Images: Meaghan Coles
A McLaren Vale gin distillery, Never Never, has taken out first prize for the World’s Best Contemporary Premix at the World Drink Awards in London this week.
The Panettone Negroni is a nod to the classic Negroni style with a few unique twists that gave the team its edge in the category.
Co-owner Sean Baxter said they never expected to win, but they always had faith in their mix affectionately called Panettone Negroni, a nod to the Italian sweet bread that he says helps take the bite out of a traditionally bitter cocktail.
“We’ve had the premix available at our distillery for a while, and it’s our most popular drink. It was released originally as a Christmas beverage, but we have it available all year round now as it appeals to those who love the idea of a Negroni but don’t want the bitterness, which we’ve smoothed out with the sweetness.”
The team’s Panettone Negroni contains Triple Juniper Gin, Campari and Regal Rouge Bold Red Australian sweet vermouth, local aged muscat, and Australian orange liqueur infused with a blend of toasty vanilla and biscuity goodness.
“Every year it keeps getting better and better,” says Sean, “it’s a very welcoming Negroni style which appeals to a wider audience.”
Sean says they were lucky to have a former long-standing employee enter them into the competition in London. She was so enthusiastic about the company’s product that she sang its praises from the highest mountain tops.
“Grace was amazing,” says Sean. “She knew we had something really special to offer, and while a contemporary cocktail could be almost anything, Panettone Negroni managed to stand out from the crowd.”
The award is another World’s Best award to join their 2019 World’s Best Classic Gin and World’s Best London Dry in 2022.
With three wins now, Never Never is going from strength to strength with their products.
“There’s no doubt that proving ourselves on the world stage has been an incredibly important key to our continued success,” says Sean, “but it’s more than just shiny accolades.”
“We’re really proud to stand behind our gins, but more importantly, bartenders can have the confidence to keep picking our spirits when it comes to making some of the world’s best cocktails.”
So, if you’re feeling like Mad Men’s Don Draper and want to pour yourself a Negroni or two, you can have it all, with a smooth Australian twist on the Italian classic.
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