When most people think of Australian whisky, it's Tasmania that springs to mind. After all, it was Tassie's Sullivans Cove French Oak that was named the world's best single malt in 2014. 
That might all be about to change on the back of a run of success by the Limeburners Distillery in Western Australia.
The distillery has been Australian Distiller of the Year at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards (ADSA), taking home three trophies including the title of Champion Whisky for the second consecutive year.
The Albany distillery has been in business for more than a decade and head distiller Ben Kagi puts the success down to access to local barley and peat, as well as pristine water sourced from nearby limestone aquifers.
  Heavy hitter  
The winning whisky - the Single Malt Heavy Peat - weighs in at a barrel-strength 61 per cent and sells for $700 a bottle. As well as being named the overall Champion Whisky at the show, the Single Malt Heavy Peat also picked up the inaugural Champion Small Batch Spirit Trophy.
Last year's batch of Single Malt Heavy Peat won a Gold Outstanding Medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London.
  Cam's dram  
Limeburners' owner, Cameron Syne, was elated to receive news of the awards. "It speaks of our team's dedication in trying to make the best whisky that we can," he says. "To win this award for the second year in a row certainly says we must be doing something right."
Syne says he is indebted to the pioneers of the Tasmanian whisky industry who have helped him along the way.
"I learnt to distil with Bill Lark at Lark Distillery and Patrick Maguire of Sullivans Cove. Those guys are my friends and mentors," he says. "It looks like Australian whisky is in good hands."
  West is best  
Western Australia was well represented at the awards, with Hoochery Distillery Ord River Rum - Premium (from the Kimberley) winning the Champion Rum Trophy. The Champion Vodka Trophy went to Old Young's Pure No. 1 from the Swan Valley.
Other champion trophy winners included kis (King Island Spirits) Old Tom Aged Gin, and St Agnes XO Brandy - both from South Australia.
The 2016 ADSA attracted 154 entries from 42 exhibitors. A total of 80 medals were awarded including 14 gold, 23 silver and 43 bronze.
Head Judge Jason Crawley of The Drink Cabinet spent an enviable two days tasting at the Melbourne Showgrounds. "Our overall feeling was that there has been a remarkable shift towards world-class production in all categories and classes," Crawley says.