For József Stevlik, international recognition has been earned one competition at a time, one spirit at a time, and year after year through a portfolio that has remained focused on the character of fruit rather than following broader market trends.

Distributed internationally through Eshel Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H., the József Stevlik range has developed a distinctive position within the global spirits market. At a time when whisky, gin, rum, and agave spirits dominate much of the conversation, the brand has concentrated on a category with deep Central European roots: premium fruit spirits produced from apples and plums.

What makes the story particularly noteworthy is not simply the quality of the spirits themselves, but the consistency with which they have performed across multiple international competitions and judging environments.

Between 2020 and 2026, the József Stevlik portfolio accumulated a total of 25 international medals across three major competitions: USA Spirits Ratings, Bartender Spirits Awards, and the London Spirits Competition. These results span multiple expressions, production styles, and judging panels, providing a broader picture of quality than any single award could offer.

The journey began at the 2020 USA Spirits Ratings, where Single Plum Unoaked was awarded a Silver Medal with 88 points. While a single medal may seem modest in isolation, it marked the beginning of a sustained period of recognition that would continue over the following years.

Image: József Stevlik Single Plum Unoaked.

Momentum accelerated significantly in 2021.

At the USA Spirits Ratings, both Single Plum Unoaked and Single Plum Oaked received Silver Medals, earning 88 and 89 points respectively. The results demonstrated that the quality of the fruit spirit translated successfully across different maturation styles.

The same year, the Bartender Spirits Awards recognised six separate expressions from the portfolio. Single Plum Unoaked earned 88 points, Single Plum Oaked received 89 points, and Single Plum Smoked achieved 81 points. The apple spirits were similarly recognised, with Single Apple Unoaked receiving 85 points, Single Apple Oaked 82 points, and Single Apple Smoked 81 points.

Success continued at the London Spirits Competition, where the same six expressions repeated their medal-winning performances. Few producers achieve recognition across multiple products in the same year, and fewer still do so across multiple international competitions judged by different panels with different evaluation criteria.

The breadth of these results highlighted one of the brand's defining strengths: consistency throughout the range.

Recognition continued in 2022, adding a further nine Silver Medals to the collection.

At the USA Spirits Ratings, Single Plum Unoaked achieved 86 points, Single Plum Oaked 83 points, and Single Plum Smoked 83 points. The apple portfolio also performed strongly, with Single Apple Unoaked and Single Apple Oaked both receiving 85 points, while Single Apple Smoked earned 86 points.

The London Spirits Competition added further validation, awarding Silver Medals to Single Apple Unoaked (82 points), Single Apple Oaked (81 points), and Single Apple Smoked (79 points).

Image: József Stevlik Single Apple Spirit.

Taken together, these results revealed something important. The judges were not responding to a single flagship product. Instead, they were consistently recognising a portfolio that maintained quality across different fruits, production approaches, and flavour profiles.

The culmination of that journey arrived in 2026.

At the London Spirits Competition, Single Plum Unoaked achieved a Gold Medal with 92 points, becoming the first Gold Medal winner in the József Stevlik portfolio. For a brand that had steadily built its reputation through years of Silver Medal performances, the result represented an important milestone and a reflection of the ongoing refinement of the spirits.

Image: (Left) 2026 London Spirits Competition Gold Winner - József Stevlik Single Plum Spirits. (Right) Dusan Stevlik, Founder – J.S.Slivovitz.

The significance of these awards extends beyond medals alone.

Competitions such as USA Spirits Ratings evaluate products not only on quality, but also on value and packaging. Their judging panels include buyers, distributors, bartenders, retailers, and industry professionals who assess products through a commercial lens. Success in this environment suggests that a spirit is not only technically well made, but also possesses genuine market appeal.

For a category such as fruit spirits, which often receives less international attention than mainstream spirits, this recognition is particularly meaningful.

The growing visibility of József Stevlik has not been limited to competitions.

In 2025, the brand was presented at Bar Convent Brooklyn in New York in collaboration with Advantage Austria and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. Participation at one of the spirits industry's most influential trade events provided exposure to importers, distributors, buyers, bartenders, and hospitality professionals from across North America and beyond.

The same year, József Stevlik gained additional visibility when it was selected as the signature cocktail spirit at the International Emmy Awards VIP Party held on the rooftop of Rockefeller Center in New York. As Austria served as the presentation country for the event, the inclusion of the brand placed its spirits before an international audience of media, hospitality, and entertainment professionals.

Image: József Stevlik was selected as the featured cocktail spirit at the International Emmy Awards VIP Party in New York.

These appearances illustrate how the brand's reputation is evolving. What began as a portfolio recognised primarily within specialist judging circles is increasingly finding a place within broader premium hospitality and international trade environments.

At its core, however, the identity of József Stevlik remains remarkably consistent.

The portfolio continues to focus on fruit as the defining element of the spirit. Apple and plum expressions appear in unoaked, oaked, and smoked styles, allowing the character of the fruit to remain central while showcasing how different production techniques can influence aroma, texture, and complexity.

In an industry often driven by novelty, the József Stevlik story is built on something more enduring. It is a story of specialisation, patience, and steady progression. Twenty-five international medals, recognition across three major competitions, appearances at influential trade events, and growing visibility within premium hospitality have all contributed to the brand's evolution.

Yet the foundation remains unchanged: a commitment to fruit spirits that express their origins with clarity and authenticity.

The awards provide evidence of that achievement. The consistency behind them is what makes the story worth telling.

Also Read:
How USA Spirits Ratings Helps Spirits Brands Reach U.S. Retail Buyers
How International Spirits Brands Can Use USA Spirits Ratings to Enter U.S. Retail & Distribution