The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) held their 3rd Annual Distiller’s Convention & Trade Show in Chicago, IL a few weeks ago. The two day event included a full slate of presentations, forums, and socializing amongst craft distillers from across the country. During the annual banquet, the ACSA announced the medal winners from distiller submitted spirits.
The spirits judging took place at Starlight Distillery (Borden, IN) on Jan. 19-20. The judging panel reviewed nearly 450 submissions from 39 of the 50 states. The spirits were divided into the following categories:
- Whiskey
- Brandy
- Rum
- Gin
- Liqueurs
- Distilled Spirits Specialty (DSS)
- Vodka and Grain Spirits
During the banquet, the Master of Ceremonies Brian Christensen, Artisan Spirits Magazine, awarded “Best in Class” honors in each of the six judging categories. See the full list of Rum winners below.
The top honor, Best in Show, was awarded to Allegheny Distilling‘s Maggie’s Farm Single Barrel Rum. It was the second straight year the distillery has won the top prize. In 2015, it won Best in Class for their Maggie’s Farm Queen’s Share Double Barrel rum.
2016 ACSA Medalist – Rum
| Gold Medalists | Distillery | Spirit Name |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny Distilling, LLC | Maggie’s Farm Single Barrel | |
| Allegheny Distilling, LLC | Maggie’s Farm Queen’s Share Rye Oak Aged | |
| Ballast Point Spirits | Three Sheets Barrel Aged Rum | |
| Bear Creek Distillery | Bear Creek Distillery Cask Strength Rum | |
| Richland Distilling Company | Richland Single Estate Old Georgia Rum | |
| Silver Medalists | Distillery | Spirit Name |
| Allegheny Distilling, LLC | Maggie’s Farm Queen’s Share Unaged | |
| Allegheny Distilling, LLC | Maggie’s Farm Queen’s Share Bourbon Oak Aged | |
| Backwards Distilling Company | Sword Swallower Rum | |
| Bear Creek Distillery | Bear Creek Distillery Silver Rum | |
| Bier Distillery | Devil’s Message Obsidian | |
| Big Escambia Spirits | Cru Rum | |
| Bluebird Distilling | Sugarcane Rum | |
| Cannon Beach Distillery | Donlon Shanks Amber Rum | |
| Great Northern Distilling | Great Northern Distilling Opportunity Rum | |
| Huber’s Starlight Distillery | Spiced Rum | |
| Louisiana Spirits LLC | Bayou Rum Silver | |
| Louisiana Spirits LLC | Bayou Rum Spiced | |
| Louisiana Spirits LLC | Bayou Select Rum | |
| Manatawny Still Works | Manatawny Still Works Small-batch Rum Batch03 | |
| New Holland Artisan Spirits | Michigan Amber Rum | |
| Njoy Spirits, LLC Distillery | Mermaid Rum | |
| Outer Banks Distilling | Kill Devil Silver Rum | |
| Prichards Distillery, Inc. | Prichards Fine Rum | |
| Smoky Quartz Distillery LLC | Granite Coast Rum | |
| Wicked Dolphin | Wicked Dolphin Hidden Barrel Reserve | |
| Wiggly Bridge Distillery | Rum | |
| Wiggly Bridge Distillery | Small Barrel Rum | |
| Bronze Medalists | Distillery | Spirit Name |
| Allegheny Distilling, LLC | Maggie’s Farm White Rum | |
| Allegheny Distilling, LLC | Maggie’s Farm Spiced Rum | |
| Artisan Grain Distillery | Artisan Grain Silver Rum | |
| Ballast Point Spirits | Three Sheets Rum | |
| Ballast Point Spirits | Three Sheets Spiced Rum | |
| Beach Time Distilling | Beach Fire Spiced Rum | |
| Cannon Beach Distillery | Dorymen’s | |
| Coppercraft Distillery | Coppercraft Rum | |
| Mad River Distillers | PX Rum | |
| Montanya Distillers, LLC | Exclusiva Rum | |
| Rogue Spirits | Hazelnut Spice Rum | |
| Still 630 | Soulard Island | |
| Still 630 | Soulard Island Smoked Honey Rum | |
| Wicked Dolphin | Wicked Dolphin Gold | |
| Wicked Dolphin | Wicked Dolphin Brewers Series Double Barrel | |
| Wilderness Trace Distillery | Harvest Rum |