23rd Street Distillery has been named Australian Distillery of the Year at the 2026 New York International Spirits Competition, backing up a major year for the Renmark-based producer. The South Australian distillery’s Australian Single Malt Whisky was the standout, taking Double Gold, 96 points and the highest whisky score of the competition. Violet Gin and Australian Whisky also landed Gold and 95 points each, giving 23rd Street a strong showing across more than just one bottle. Back-to-back gold The result also gives 23rd Street a rare back-to-back run at the NYISC. The distillery was named Australian Distillery of the Year in both 2025 and 2026, with its Australian Single Malt Whisky taking Double Gold across both competitions and its Australian Whisky earning Gold both years. The Single Malt, made with Kangaroo Island barley and matured for at least three years in American oak ex-bourbon barrels, was the standout this year, carrying notes of toffee, lifted fruit, vanillin oak, citrus, apricot, malted milk and butterscotch oak. The producer’s Australian Whisky followed closely with Gold and 95 points. Made from a blend of Australian barley malts and distilled through 23rd Street’s historic copper pot stills, it is matured in ex-bourbon American oak and tawny barrels for a minimum of two years, with notes of citrus, orange blossom, caramelised fruit, vanillin oak, dark chocolate spice, roasted nut and toffee. 23rd Street Distillery Head Distiller Paul Burnett said the recognition was a proud moment for the entire team. “We’re blown away! This recognition is built on beautiful Australian ingredients, hard work and a constant drive to refine what we do,” said Burnett. “Our focus on maturing in a variety of oak types and finishing in old fortified barrels brings a depth and complexity that truly defines our whiskies. To be recognised alongside the world’s best is something we don’t take lightly. It’s a real milestone for the brand and a reminder that you can push boundaries while still keeping exceptional spirits within reach. Time to raise a glass.” Judged blind by an international panel of industry experts, the 2026 New York International Spirits Competition attracted more than 1,400 entries from 39 countries – a contingent large enough to intimidate some of the best in the market, no doubt. An accessible premium pour Whisky remains Australia’s most popular spirit, while drinkers are increasingly looking for local bottles that can offer provenance, craftsmanship and value without moving into unreachable price territory. That puts 23rd Street in a useful lane. Its Australian Whisky and Single Malt are positioned for both neat serves and cocktails, with the range already available nationally through Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland and leading independent bottle shops. VOK Beverages Marketing Manager Brian Sheedy said the awards provide another compelling reason for retailers to champion Australian whisky. “Whisky remains Australia’s most popular spirit, and as the local distilling industry continues to grow, consumers are looking for Australian brands that offer quality, credibility and value,” he said. “The sub-$100 segment is moving quickly, and 23rd Street is well placed to meet that demand with internationally awarded whisky at an accessible price point.” Source: HHPR Find more food and drink news on Crumb Wire.

Sweet As launches in Sydney this August, giving diners a new AI-powered way to find restaurants, bars and cafes beyond the usual “top venue” lists. The hospitality discovery platform combines social content, search and AI to help users explore venues by vibe, menu and experience, while giving operators another way to be found beyond follower counts and crowded social feeds. The platform has been designed for both food lovers and venue owners, with a discovery feed that uses real user behaviour, curated content and intelligent search to surface venues through actual dining moments. Sweet As co-founder Tara Williams said: “Our goal with Sweet As is to bring the magic of discovering new dining spots back to the forefront of hospitality. We want venues to be found for what makes them special, not just their follower numbers, and give foodies a smarter, more human way to choose where to eat.” Users will be able to explore thousands of curated “Eatlists”, which work like Spotify playlists for favourite restaurants, bars and cafes across the city. For venues, Sweet As will offer tools to connect with regular customers, send personalised deals and rewards, run targeted campaigns and measure how those campaigns perform. The platform will also allow users to move from discovery to booking or ordering in one tap, giving venues a more direct path from interest to action. Venue owners will be able to access data showing who is discovering them, what diners are searching for and how promotions are performing. Sweet As is also positioning itself as a discovery platform without paid ads or commissions, giving venues a more level playing field when appearing in suggestions. “With Sweet As, we’re redefining hospitality discovery,” Williams said. “Venues now have a platform to truly showcase their story, their menu, and their vibe, and connect with diners who are actively seeking authentic experiences.” The launch comes as hospitality operators continue to compete for attention across social media, search, booking platforms and influencer-led recommendations, with Sweet As aiming to create one place where diners can discover, save and share new spots around Sydney. Source: Bennett PR Find more food and drink news on Crumb Wire.

DoorDash has added more than 150 Woolworths stores to its grocery delivery platform, making on-demand Woollies delivery available across more than 100 new Australian postcodes. The expansion gives more customers access to fresh groceries, pantry staples, household essentials and everyday items through DoorDash, with thousands of Woolworths products now available to browse through the app. It also adds another layer to Woolworths’ growing fast-grocery play. The supermarket giant acquired rapid-delivery startup MILKRUN in 2023, relaunching it as part of its own convenience delivery offering. Now, Woolworths is widening its reach through DoorDash too, giving customers another on-demand option alongside MILKRUN and Delivery Now. “At DoorDash, we’re focused on giving Australians more choice, value and convenience in how they shop. By expanding Woolworths to more than 150 additional stores and unlocking access in over 100 new postcodes, we’re making everyday grocery shopping more accessible for more communities across the country,” a DoorDash spokesperson said. “Whether it’s a planned weekly shop, a forgotten ingredient for dinner or a last-minute household essential, we’re making it easier for customers to get the products they need, when and where they need them.” The move comes as grocery delivery gets increasingly crowded in Australia. Last year, DoorDash partnered with ALDI Australia on the supermarket’s first grocery delivery service, beginning with a Canberra trial in July before expanding nationwide. New South Wales was the final state to join the rollout in September. To mark the Woolworths expansion, DoorDash is offering 40 per cent off first Woolworths grocery orders. For DoorDash, the rollout strengthens its grocery marketplace beyond restaurants and takeaway, putting more supermarket options into the same app people already use for dinner, top-up shops and last-minute essentials. Woolworths Director of Ultra Convenience David Berger said, “We’re pleased to build on our partnership with DoorDash to give our customers even more choice in how they choose to shop with us. This expansion introduces an additional on-demand option alongside our MILKRUN and Delivery Now services, helping us reach more customers, more often, through platforms they already use every day.” Customers can now shop Woolworths through DoorDash for fresh produce, meat, dairy, bakery items, pantry staples, household essentials and more, with delivery direct to their door. Source: Herd MSL Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

After picking up serious hype overseas, Red Bull‘s Sudachi Lime and Cherry Sakura Sugarfree flavours are now hitting local shelves. The two limited-edition releases are available now at 7-Eleven stores, ahead of a broader rollout across major retailers from August. Sudachi Lime arrives as Red Bull’s Summer Edition in a summer sun yellow can, with a citrus profile that combines sour-sweet Japanese sudachi with lime, a hint of pomelo and citrus peel. Cherry Sakura Sugarfree is the zero-sugar release, blending sweet cherry sakura with notes of almond and floral cherry blossom. Both flavours have already built dedicated followings in international markets. Sudachi Lime has sparked online hype, while Cherry Sakura Sugarfree has had fans calling for it to become a permanent part of the Red Bull Editions lineup. Red Bull athlete and Australian skateboarder Rome Collyer was among the first Australians to try the new Editions. “Wow, I rate the Cherry Sakura Sugarfree version. It’s perfect for a 3 pm pick-me-up and tastes like a cheeky Cherry treat,” he says. “As for the Summer Edition with Sudachi Lime, it’s probably my favourite Edition, ever. I’d drink that all day every day. Whenever it’s hot, this is the one to drink, for sure. It’s really refreshing.” Across international markets, customers have taken to TikTok sharing rave reviews, including @colemansiegfriedreviews commenting on the flavour of Red Bull Cherry Edition Sugarfree: Cherry Sakura. “I was expecting more of a candy cherry flavour. Oh no… This tastes exactly like if you were to reach your hand in a fresh bag of Cherries and just start tossing them back. This is a very fresh Cherry flavour… 9/10.” On Red Bull Summer Edition: Sudachi Lime, TikTokker @capsnsnaxx said: “You definitely get that lime flavour up front, but it’s not like a regular lime; you get a citrus twist too. This is low-key refreshing. I’m giving this an 8.3 out of 10.” Both releases deliver the same functional benefits of Red Bull Energy Drink, with Cherry Sakura offering the same Red Bull Energy Drink formula with zero sugar. In Australia, the new flavours join Red Bull’s existing Editions range, which includes The Red Edition, The Tropical Edition, The Pink Edition Sugarfree, The Peach Edition, The Blue Edition and The Lilac Edition Sugarfree. Red Bull Summer Edition: Sudachi Lime and Red Bull Cherry Edition Sugarfree: Cherry Sakura are available now at 7-Eleven stores, ahead of a broader rollout across major retailers from August. Source: Wired Co. Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.