Perth butcher McLoughlin Butchers won Champion Gold for its bone-in ham at the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) Charcuterie Excellence Awards in 2024. The result explains the “best Christmas ham in Australia” headline—but it was a category award, not a single national taste test comparing every ham on sale.
What McLoughlin Butchers won—and what the award means
PerthNow reported on 11 September 2024 that the Malaga-based, third-generation family butcher received Champion Gold for its bone-in ham at an AMIC event in Sydney the previous week. The paper also reported gold awards for the shop’s black pudding, white pudding and gammon ham steaks, plus silver awards for its semi-boneless Champagne ham and specialty Irish gammon ham steaks. PerthNow’s report quotes owner Paul McLoughlin calling the AMIC award “a stamp of quality that customers will look out for when shopping for their Christmas ham.”
In its 11 September 2024 announcement, McLoughlin Butchers said AMIC gold required a judges’ score of at least 95 out of 100 and that Champion Gold went to the best-scoring product in its category. That is the business’s description of the judging; it should not be read as an AMIC rule independently confirmed here. The same announcement said the 2024 Charcuterie Excellence Awards received more than 800 entries across 35 categories. That figure describes the 2024 event, not a current or guaranteed annual total. McLoughlin’s 2024 award announcement includes those details.
How the butcher describes its ham
McLoughlin Butchers says its premium hams are made from free-range pork legs sourced from south-west Western Australia, smoked with jarrah and cooked on-site in small batches. Owner Paul McLoughlin said the hams use “fresh, locally sourced free range pork” and a simple ingredient list. These are the butcher’s own descriptions of its sourcing and process, not independent audit findings. The company describes itself as a third-generation family-run Perth business that works with local farmers and suppliers and serves customers across Western Australia. The seasonal ham page and the business’s About page provide its product and company information.
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Which ham format might suit your table?
The butcher’s listed choices differ in bone format and preparation. Its current seasonal page is the place to check which products are offered for a particular Christmas season.
| Format | What the butcher says | Practical consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Bone-in ham | McLoughlin’s award-winning 2024 product was its bone-in ham. | A whole bone-in leg may suit a larger gathering; the award itself does not establish a particular size or serving count. |
| Semi-boneless Champagne ham | The product retains the shank bone, which the butcher says makes it easier to carve. Its page lists approximate full legs of 6–8 kg and half sizes of about 3–4 kg. | The approximate sizes can help with planning, but check the live product page for the season’s available sizes. |
| Boneless ham | Listed by the butcher as another format. | Check the current listing for size and preparation details; the material available here does not establish a particular weight range. |
McLoughlin’s product descriptions distinguish cooked hams that can be served or glazed and reheated from raw Irish gammon options that can be boiled and baked. These are different preparations, so read the specific listing rather than assuming every ham is ready to serve. See the Champagne Semi Boneless Ham page and the seasonal page for the butcher’s descriptions.
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- RICH, SMOKED FLAVOR - 8 LB BONE-IN HALF HAM: Enjoy our premium Honey Baked Ham Bone-In Half, spiral-sliced right to the bone for effortless serving. Smoked for up to 24 hours over hardwood chips, this cut of pork is finished with our iconic sweet and crunchy glaze, delivering mouthwatering flavor that makes every gathering memorable.
- EFFORTLESSLY READY TO SERVE: Skip the hours of prep and cooking, each ham arrives fully cooked, spiral sliced, and shipped frozen for freshness. Simply thaw before serving for a delicious cold presentation. If you prefer it warm, gently heat at 275°F for 10 minutes per pound. For the best presentation, remove from the fridge and let sit for 30 minutes before serving. Convenience and flavor come together for stress-free entertaining.
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Keep the award claims separate
The Champion Gold result is for the 2024 AMIC category. Other medals reported for McLoughlin products belong to different competitions, years and products; they should not be combined into one award record.
- McLoughlin’s product page lists a 2025 Perth Royal gold and a 2024 AMIC silver for its Champagne Semi Boneless Ham. The product listing is the source for those claims.
- The 2024 Perth Royal catalogue records bronze for McLoughlin’s Champagne Semi Boneless Ham. The 2024 Perth Royal results catalogue is a separate competition record.
- The 2025 Perth Royal results list bronze for McLoughlin’s Double Smoked Leg Ham. The 2025 Perth Royal results concern that product and year, not the 2024 AMIC Champion Gold ham.
Ordering, collection and corporate gifts
For consumer orders, current stock, seasonal deadlines, product formats and collection or delivery terms need to be checked with the butcher. The available seasonal-page information indicates orders may close while walk-in stock remains, but it does not establish 2026 inventory, an ordering deadline or ordinary retail delivery terms. Visit McLoughlin’s seasonal page for current ordering information rather than relying on past-season details.
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For corporate orders, the butcher describes a bundle with a premium free-range half-leg ham, cooler bag, ham storage bag, ham glaze and butcher’s keyring. Its corporate page says free delivery applies to corporate ham orders across metro Perth and that pickup is available. These terms are the business’s published offer and may change; they do not establish delivery coverage for ordinary consumer orders. See the corporate hampers page for the current details.
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- RICH, SMOKED FLAVOR - 9 LB BONE-IN HALF HAM: Enjoy our premium Honey Baked Ham Bone-In Half, spiral-sliced right to the bone for effortless serving. Slowly smoked for up to 24 hours over hardwood chips, this cut of pork is finished with our iconic sweet and crunchy glaze, delivering mouthwatering flavor that makes every gathering memorable.
- EFFORTLESSLY READY TO SERVE: Skip the hours of prep and cooking, each ham arrives fully cooked, pre-sliced, and shipped frozen for freshness. Simply thaw before serving for a delicious cold presentation. If you prefer it warm, gently heat at 275°F for 10 minutes per pound. For the best presentation, remove from the fridge and let sit for 30 minutes before serving. Convenience and flavor come together for stress-free entertaining.
- PERFECT FOR HOLIDAYS, CELEBRATIONS & GIFTS: Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas feast, or sending a thoughtful gift, Honey Baked Ham is a trusted tradition. Each ham is gluten-free, hand-finished, and packaged to impress, a meaningful way to celebrate milestones, holidays, or corporate occasions.
- CRAFTED WITH QUALITY & CARE: Only the finest, premium cuts are selected, slow-cooked to lock in natural juices and tenderness. Every ham is hand-glazed in small batches to create the signature caramelized crust HoneyBaked is known for. No added water, fillers, or shortcuts, just authentic quality.
- A TRADITION CUSTOMERS LOVE: For generations, families have chosen Honey Baked Ham as the centerpiece of their gatherings. Pair with sides, pies, or turkey breasts from our collection to create a complete meal that delights guests and saves you time in the kitchen.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
