Daniel Davis
A Toast to the Top: The 2023 Craft Distillers Spirits Competition Winners Revealed!
It’s time to roll out the barrels and raise a glass to the artisanal alchemists who’ve brewed up storm! Let’s embark on a tantalizing journey through the 2023 Craft Distillers Spirits Competition, held in the sun-kissed vineyards of Santa Rosa, Calif. This year, our taste buds were tingled and senses stirred, proving that the craft spirit scene is anything but on the rocks!
The Spirit That Swept the Board: Guadalupe
Striding boldly into the spotlight and stealing the show is none other than Guadalupe, a robust Texas bourbon whiskey with a tantalizing twist: a port cask finish. This southern belle, hailing from Garrison Brothers Distilling in the heart of Hye, Texas, twirled onto the stage and was lauded with descriptions as smooth as its taste: “Very elegant,” “Warm finish,” and the ever-descriptive, “Delicious.” As they say in the Lone Star State, “Yeehaw!”.
Master Distiller Donnis Todd, doffing his hat to the crowd, shed some light on why Guadalupe outshone the rest. It’s like capturing lightning in a bottle, with Texas’s roller-coaster climate chiseling away at the barrels, and the selection of the ripest, richest wet port barrels that could woo any whiskey lover. It’s about as thrilling as finding a golden ticket in your bourbon bottle!
Smack your lips in anticipation because Guadalupe swaggers with a “viscosity and sweetness” that marries its 107-proof strength like a bourbon-soaked love story. The result? Layers upon layers of bourbon and port flavors, playing out a symphony on your palate.
Spotlight on Craft: The Vision Behind the Curtain
The brainchild of Debra Del Fiorentino, who’s like a fairy godmother for the underdogs of distillation, the artisanal spirits awards conjure magic by giving smaller producers their moment in the limelight. Any distiller who’s bonded and too proud to keep their spirits a secret can enter, no matter which corner of the globe they call home.
Debra, swirling a crystal glass of the latest entrant’s pride with a twinkle in her eye, championed the cause. It’s not just about the medals; it’s about the survival of these labors of love and the craft. It’s like sending an SOS—with every bottle of craft spirit the reply to an industry calling for recognition and respect.
Meanwhile, Rob Cordes of Garrison Brothers tips his hat off to how these competitions serve as a barometer for their bourbon’s resonance within the universe of expert judges. It’s about progress, a continual march towards that perfect batch. Today’s bourbon is tomorrow’s legend.
Extra Neat Please: A Little Gratitude
It takes a village to taste a spirit, or so the saying goes after a few rounds of tasting. With the competition judged by fellow distillers, qualified pen wielders from the media, and the whizzes of spirit education, the results carry a heavyweight championship belt of professional prestige. It’s more than a trophy—it’s a marketing megaphone.
A tip of the hat and a hearty thank you go to the stellar efforts of Neat glassware, who sponsored this year’s tasting tales. They’re the unsung heroes who snuggle our winners‘ spirits into the perfect glass slippers for them to waltz to victory.
If your calendar’s not too overbooked with glass-raising events, note down December 5-6th, 2024, for the next round of indulgence at the Craft Distillers Spirits Competition. Get those entries rolling in before November 27th, 2023, and who knows? Maybe your spirit will be the toast of the town!
Pssst, for those craving more juicy details, hop on over to Wine and Spirit Competitions Management and Production. It’s your VIP backstage pass to all things competitively spirited.
The Cream of the Crop: Best of Class Winners
Let’s uncork the list of those who’ve distilled their way to glory:
| Category | Winner | Medal | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Whiskey & Best Bourbon | Garrison Brothers Guadalupe | Gold | 98 |
| Best American Craft Whiskey | Weldon Mills Rockfish Whiskey | Gold | 92 |
| Small Batch Bourbon (Under 10 Years) | Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch | Gold | 95 |
| Best Straight Rye Whiskey | Uncle Nearest Uncut Straight Rye | Gold | 97 |
| Best Vodka | Weldon Mills Dray 25 Vodka | Gold | 93 |
| Best Ready to Drink | High Noon Hard Seltzer Watermelon | Gold | 92 |
Now, let’s wander off from this spirit-soaked odyssey with a spring in our step and a twirl in our taste. Until next year, dear spirits lovers, keep sipping passionately, and may the best barrel always find its way to your lips. Cheers!
I absolutely loved this article about the 2023 Craft Distillers and their champions in the spirits industry. It’s so exciting to learn about the innovative and high-quality products coming out of these distilleries.