The USA Spirits Ratings has introduced a groundbreaking accolade—the “Category Distillery of the Year” Medals—aimed at honoring distilleries that consistently excel in producing top-tier spirits within specific categories. These medals spotlight distilleries for their achievements across quality, consistency, and craftsmanship, establishing them as leaders in their respective niches.

Spirit Categories Recognized

The newly launched medals will be awarded in the following categories:

• Whisky Distillery of the Year
• Gin Distillery of the Year
• Vodka Distillery of the Year
• Rum Distillery of the Year
• Tequila Distillery of the Year
• Brandy Distillery of the Year
• Cognac Distillery of the Year
• Liqueur Distillery of the Year
• RTD (Ready-to-Drink) Distillery of the Year

[[relatedPurchasesItems-54]]

Distilleries in the Spotlight

To secure a medal, distilleries must demonstrate consistent performance across multiple submissions within a specific category. This distinction not only celebrates their expertise but also positions them as key players in the global spirits industry.

Sid Patel, CEO of the USA Spirits Ratings, explained, “These awards go beyond recognizing individual products—they honor the remarkable effort of distilleries that continually deliver excellence across their portfolio. We’re excited to shine a light on these exceptional producers and the impact they’ve made in the spirits world.”

A Marketing Advantage for Winners

Winning a “Category Distillery of the Year” medal provides a powerful marketing edge. It enhances a distillery's credibility among buyers and consumers, offering a symbol of its commitment to high-quality production. The medal serves as a lasting testament to a distillery’s ability to innovate and lead within its category.

The 2025 winners will be announced alongside the main competition results, which celebrate spirits from around the world.

Key Benefits of Winning the Medal

• Global Visibility: Distilleries gain international recognition as leaders in their categories.
• Enhanced Credibility: Acknowledgment from industry experts boosts consumer trust and professional reputation.
• Marketing Leverage: Medals can be showcased in advertising, packaging, and trade materials to attract buyers.
• Consumer Confidence: A medal signals excellence, making consumers more likely to choose the distillery’s products.
• Industry Recognition: Distilleries stand out to retailers, distributors, and bars as reliable, high-quality producers.
• Sales Growth Potential: Awards influence purchasing decisions, often leading to increased sales and market presence.
• Team Motivation: Recognition fosters pride among team members and encourages continued excellence.
• Support for Expansion: The medal’s prestige helps distilleries break into new markets and secure export opportunities.

How It Works

To be eligible, distilleries must participate in the USA Spirits Ratings and submit at least four spirits within a single category (e.g., whisky, gin, vodka). These entries are automatically evaluated for the medal, based on the competition’s rigorous scoring system.

To qualify, the distillery must achieve:

• An average score of 90 or higher across all submissions in the category.
• A minimum of two gold medals within the category.

After the initial judging, the top five performing distilleries in each category are shortlisted. These finalists are required to complete a questionnaire addressing their innovation, craftsmanship, authenticity, and overall impact on their category. Judges then combine these insights with the scoring data to select the medal winners.

[[relatedPurchasesItems-54]]

Medal Announcement and Opportunities

Winners will be revealed during the main USA Spirits Ratings results announcement. Recipients will receive both digital and physical medals, which can be used in promotional campaigns, packaging, and media outreach. Winning distilleries also benefit from exposure through the competition’s press releases, social media platforms, and website.

In addition to existing categories, the 2025 awards will introduce the Low & No Distillery of the Year medal, reflecting evolving consumer trends and expanding the competition’s scope to recognize innovation across emerging segments.

The “Category Distillery of the Year” Medals emphasize not only individual product quality but the overarching excellence of distilleries. By showcasing their strengths across multiple categories, this award strengthens a distillery’s position in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Related Links:
Submit Your Spirits Before December 20 to Save Big 
What Judges Have to Say About USA Spirits Ratings