American Craft Spirits Competition
“It’s all great what your friends and family think about your spirits, but getting impartial and unbiased feedback from a panel of diverse spirit’s professionals is priceless…The feedback from the ACSA Judging notes was immeasurably helpful. Plus, it affirmed thoughts from family and friends. We will continue to be proud members of the American Craft Spirits Association for years to come – it’s worth it!”
— David Weglarz Owner/Distiller ; StilL 630; St Louis, MO
Entries Now Closed for the 2026 American Craft Spirits Competition
For more than a decade, ACSA’s Annual Spirits Competition has been one of the most respected judging events in the craft spirits world—championing excellence and giving craft brands of all sizes a national stage.
This competition is about more than hardware! Our diverse team of judges understands the competitive craft spirits landscape.
Benefits of Entering:
- New for 2026: Double Gold Medal for Whiskey: We’re introducing a new top tier of recognition for exceptional whiskey entries.
- New for 2026: 360° marketing support. Medalist can expect a monthly email with tips for:
- Tasting rooms and on-premise signage
- Websites and digital marketing tips
- Distributor, retailer, and buyer communications
- Sell sheets, POS materials, and bottle packaging
- Email campaigns, sales outreach, and social media
- Detailed Judges’ Notes: Every entry receives expert feedback from our distinguished judging panel, offering valuable insights to guide your craft.
- Custom Promotion Toolkit: Medalists will receive ready-to-use materials to promote their medal, as well as year-long marketing support.
- Increased Brand Awareness: Coverage through industry press, CRAFT SPIRITS magazine, ACSA newsletters, and more.
- Priority Event Opportunities: Gold medalists receive priority access to ACSA-partnered events designed to connect distillers with the craft spirits community and passionate fans.
The 2026 Spirits Competition will take place in Washington, D.C. at Cotton & Reed. This year’s competition is chaired by Colton Weinstein of Liba Spirits and Jeff Wuslich of Cardinal Spirits.
Entry Fees
Deadlines
Each judging panel is composed of three to five experts, carefully selected to represent diverse perspectives within the spirits industry—including retailers, mixologists, distributors, educators, journalists, reviewers, and distillers. Judges will perform a sensory evaluation of the spirits and enter their perceptions on the score sheets provided. The nose, palate, finish, and balance of spirits will be evaluated in terms of cleanliness, length, depth, and complexity. Meet the Judges for the 2026 American Craft Spirits Competition
Jan. 27-28, 2026, at Cotton & Reed in Washington, D.C.
We’ll announce the competition results at the 2026 American Craft Spirits Convention & Expo. We’ll also post all winners to our site, share the list with the media, and provide medalists with the marketing tools you need to promote your success.
While membership in ACSA is not a prerequisite for entering the competition, to enter your spirits you must be eligible for voting membership as defined by ACSA. ACSA membership does, however, provide a significant discount on entry fees.
ALL products must have a valid COLA from TTB. We reserve the right to request a copy of your COLA should there be a question as to an individual submission. Each spirit must have received formal approval for the “fanciful name” with a corresponding COLA by the date of judging or that spirit will be ineligible for evaluation.
You must identify whether your spirit is Third Party (made using a base spirit distilled off-site) or Made from Scratch (distilled on premise). You may classify a spirit as other or with some specific identifier. If your product is a blend of Third Party distillate and Made from Scratch distillate, please classify this as ‘other’ and note the blend. The Judging Chairs reserve the right to reclassify a submitted spirit based on its professional judgment.
Yes! Entries will be presented at an industry-wide tasting party at the 2026 American Craft Spirits Convention & Expo on April 17-18 in Sacramento, California.
All products submitted will be considered property of the American Craft Spirits Association. The Judging Board retains the right not to award a medal, if, in its professional consensus, no medal is deserved in a specific category. Neither ACSA nor Cotton & Reed will accept responsibility for entries damaged, late or lost in shipment. Once registration is complete, all entries are final. We are unable to offer exceptions for delays, damages, or errors that occur during the shipping process. No refunds will be issued for shipping-related issues.
