Rotorua-based Copperhead Road Distillery has picked up more medals in international competitions.
The distillery's Pure Heart Vodka has been awarded New Zealand Vodka of the Year, as well as a silver medal as one of the best vodkas, at the New York International Spirits Competition.
The competition involved a blind taste test of some 600 spirits from around the world, judged by top spirits buyers from around New York Citylate last year.
The Rotorua distiller also won a gold medal last year at the Melbourne International Spirits Competition, and now plans to enter the Berlin competition in early March, followed by the one in San Francisco in April.
"Winning these awards really gives us credence in the international marketplace," said Graham Willcox, one of five shareholders in the distillery, who looks after distribution and marketing.