Submitting spirits for review in the Halliday Wine Companion
The Halliday Wine Companion is an independent drinks review publication, assessing Australian wines and spirits for our subscribers. All reviews are published online throughout the year and a selection are also published in the quarterly magazine.
The details and requirements for submitting samples for the Halliday Wine Companion are below.
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The review process
Identify which of your spirits are eligible for review and decide which you will send. We're looking for both the best value and best quality spirits in the land, so we encourage you to put your best foot forward.
Eligible spirits must be:
- Finished spirits – tank and barrel samples are not accepted.
- Available for sale through a legitimate retail outlet (bottleshop, online retailer, restaurant etc) – export-only spirits are not eligible
The preference of our Tasting Team is to review the drinks ahead of their release to market. 4–6 weeks out is a good rule to follow.
The following spirits categories are welcome:
- Gin
- Whisky
- Brandy
- Agave spirits
- Cane spirits (including rum)
- Vodka
- Amaro
- Vermouth
- Liqueur
- For any spirits that sit outside these categories, please contact Head of Tasting Katrina Butler at drinks@hardiegrant.com.
Step 2: Registration and payment
Please register your eligible spirits via this ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM before sending. This helps to track delivery and minimise error.
In the online registration form, you will need to pay the registration fee of $1000 + GST for up to six products (payment details are included in the registration form). This cost includes:
- Set up of your distillery profile on winecompanion.com.au
- Full access to our online library of over 180,000 tasting notes and exclusive articles
- IP license to use Halliday's tasting notes and points
- A print subscription to Halliday's quarterly magazine
Once you've completed the payment, you will be asked to enter details for each product you're submitting. You’ll need the product name, ABV, RRP, closure, release date and relevant details about the making for each product, in order to complete the form. We aim to publish the reviews when the spirits are released to market, so please ensure you include the release date when you register the spirits.
Please send ONE commercial bottle of each spirit (please do not send sample bottles unless otherwise approved by the Head of Tasting). Please label the back of each bottle with the RRP.
Please send samples in cardboard boxes with cardboard spacers between bottles and mark packages clearly with 'leave if unattended'. Whatever sized box you use, please do not stuff boxes with soft plastic, foam, shredded paper, packaging beans, empty bottles or newspaper. Please do not send individually wrapped bottles, polystyrene, webs, styrofoam or inflatable packaging, either.
Once you've registered your spirits and packaged them according to the above instructions, please send to the relevant member of the Tasting Team at the address listed below. We always ask, for the sake of the spirits, that you watch weather forecasts and try to avoid shipping during the hottest weeks.
| Taster | Spirits Category | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Siggins | All spirits except gin (i.e. whisky, rum, brandy, vodka, amaro etc.) |
Attention: Halliday Spirits Eamon Siggins 335 Nicholson Street Carlton North VIC 3054 |
Phone: 0417 751 130 (care Katrina Butler) Email: fred@thewhiskyteller.com.au |
| Jess Clayfield | Gin | Attention: Halliday Spirits Jess Clayfield 1111/318 Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000 |
Phone: 0450 314 637 Email: jess@blackkitecommune.com |
Once your spirits have been reviewed by the relevant taster, the score and review will be published on winecompanion.com.au (reviews are only visible to Halliday subscribers).
- Halliday Wine Companion scores according to the standard 100-point system. Spirits scored below 84 points are listed online without comment or rating.
- Reviews are not always positive – that is the nature of independent review. All spirits reviews, regardless of score, exist on winecompanion.com.au ad infinitum for our readers.
Meet the Tasting Team
Fred Siggins
Fred Siggins is a freelance writer and drinks expert based in Melbourne. A 25 year veteran of the hospitality and drinks industry, Fred has worked as a chef, bartender, venue manager, brand executive and educator, including time at iconic Melbourne venues The Black Pearl and Whisky & Alement. He has also been a spirits judge and panel chair at The Australian Distilled Spirits Awards since 2016. His writing can be found in various national and international publications including T Magazine Australia, Punch, Halliday magazine and Broadsheet Melbourne, and he is a co-owner of cocktail and whiskey bar Goodwater.
Contact: fred@thewhiskyteller.com.au | @thewhiskyteller
Jess Clayfield
Originally from Adelaide, South Australia, Jess is an experienced venue manager and professional in the Australian spirits and cocktail scene. Currently serving as the Venue Manager at Black Kite Commune – a bar renowned for its focus on Australian spirits – Jess enjoys sharing knowledge of the unique flavours that distinguish Australia's gin and broader spirits landscape. Her in-depth knowledge and perspective extend beyond the bar. Jess has been a judge for the Australian Contemporary Gin category at the Melbourne Royal Distilled Spirits Awards for several years, shaping the future of Australian gin. In addition, she contributed her insights as a writer and taster for The Guide to Australian Gin, which was published in 2022. Jess’s commitment to advancing the appreciation of Australian spirits and her continued exploration of the nation’s gin landscape make her a key figure in the industry.
Contact: jess@blackkitecommune.com | @ladyofbotanicals
Questions
Please contact the Head of Tasting Katrina Butler with any queries regarding spirits submissions, reviews and tasting note publication.
Katrina Butler
Head of Tasting
Phone: 0417 751 130
Email: drinks@hardiegrant.com
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