Submissions are now open for the 10th edition of the USA Spirits Ratings, inviting domestic distilleries, international producers, spirits brands, and importers to enter products created for the competitive U.S. retail market.

For a decade, the USA Spirits Ratings has recognized spirits that combine excellent quality with genuine commercial potential. Every entry is evaluated on quality, value, and packaging—the three essential factors that influence retail buying decisions and consumer purchases.

Celebrating the 10th Edition

The 2027 competition marks an important milestone: the 10th edition of the USA Spirits Ratings.

Over the past decade, the competition has helped distilleries and spirits brands understand how their products may perform in the United States. Its trade-focused judging process identifies spirits that deliver an impressive drinking experience, offer the right value, and have the presentation needed to attract consumers in a crowded marketplace.

Judged by U.S. Trade Buyers

Entries are assessed by experienced spirits buyers, retailers, importers, distributors, and other senior members of the U.S. beverage trade.

Judges evaluate each product with the same practical and commercial considerations they use when selecting spirits for their portfolios:

- Is the spirit well made?
- Does it deliver a strong drinking experience?
- Does it offer good value at its retail price?
- Will the packaging attract consumers?
- Does it stand out from competing products?
- Does the brand have the potential to generate consumer interest and repeat sales?

This approach gives brands a commercially relevant assessment from professionals who understand how spirits are selected, positioned and sold in the United States.

Spirits Are Rated on Quality, Value and Packaging

The USA Spirits Ratings go beyond tasting alone. Each entry is evaluated across three areas:

- Quality: The spirit’s appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel, balance, complexity and finish.
- Value: Whether the overall quality and experience justify its retail price.
- Packaging: The bottle, label, closure, design, functionality, shelf presence and communication of the brand.

A successful spirit must perform across all three areas. It must taste good, offer value to the consumer, and present a convincing proposition to the retail buyer.

More Than a Medal

Every spirit entered in the 2027 USA Spirits Ratings receives detailed, comprehensive feedback from trade buyers.

Entrants can use these insights to improve their product, reconsider pricing, strengthen packaging, and refine their U.S. market positioning. This makes the competition valuable for brands already selling in the country as well as producers preparing to enter the market.

Winning brands can use their medals on bottles, packaging, websites, social media, trade presentations, and distributor outreach. The recognition helps build credibility and gives buyers and consumers greater confidence in the product.

Who Should Enter?

The USA Spirits Ratings is open to:

- U.S. distilleries and spirits brands
- International producers targeting the American market
- Importers and distributors
- Independent and emerging spirits brands
- Private-label and control-label suppliers
- Contract-distilled spirits brands
- Established producers launching new expressions
- Ready-to-drink and spirits-based beverage brands

Whether you are introducing a new product, seeking distribution, or looking to strengthen an established brand, the competition provides practical validation from the U.S. trade.

Enter the 10th Edition

Celebrate the 10th edition of the USA Spirits Ratings by putting your products in front of leading U.S. retail buyers.

2027 submissions are now open. Enter early to secure the lowest available pricing and receive a detailed evaluation covering quality, value, and packaging.

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