Announcing the Winners of the Annual Sunset International Spirits Competition
Cheers to the honorees of the West’s premier competition celebrating the best whiskies, bourbons, gins, rums, and liqueurs.
It’s a wonderful wide, wide world of spirits in the West, and each year we host the Sunset International Spirits Competition to steer you to bottles worth seeking out. Late last year we assembled an esteemed panel of judges and tasted our way through hundreds of bottles that collectively represent what’s being distilled throughout the West and beyond and have just published an issue celebrating the honorees. Whether it’s whiskey, bourbon, rum, liqueur. or gin, one and all they embody what spirits lovers want most incredible flavor the highest production standards and above all deliciousness. Cheers to the winners of the 2023 Sunset International Spirits Competition!
Brand | Name | Award | Extra Honors | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pendray’s Distillery | Pendray's Distillery XO Brandy—Buy It! | Best of the Best/Best of Class | Best Brandy | pasoportwine.com |
Brucato Amaro | Chaparral | Double Gold/Best of Class | Best Liqueur | brucatoamaro.com |
Cierto Tequila | Private Collection, Extra A–ejo | Double Gold/Best of Class | Best Tequila | cierto.com |
Cutwater Spirits | Cutwater Mezcal Reposado | Double Gold/Best of Class | Best Mezcal | cutwaterspirits.com |
Cutwater Spirits | Cutwater Spicy Bloody Mary | Gold/Best of Class | Best Ready to Drink | cutwaterspirits.com |
Hinterhaus Distilling | South Grove Gin | Double Gold/Best of Class | Best Gin | hinterhausdistilling.com |
Jewell Distillery Citron Vodka | Jewell Citron Vodka | Double Gold/Best of Class | Best Vodka Flavored/Infused | jewelldistillery.com |
Royal Mash | Royal Mash Vintage 2020 | Double Gold/Best of Class | Best Vodka | royalmash.com |
Savage & Cooke | Savage & Cooke Bourbon Whiskey | Double Gold/Best of Class | Best Whiskey | savageandcooke.com |
High Noon | High Noon Grapefruit | Double Gold/Best of Class | Best Hard Seltzer | gallo.com |
Venus Spirits | El Ladron Yolo - CA Roasted Agave | Double Gold/Best of Class | Best Other Agave Spirits | venusspirits.com |
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey | Double Gold/Best of Class | unclenearest.com | |
Beehive Distilling | Barrel Reserve | Double Gold/Best of Class | beehivedistilling.com | |
Cierto Tequila | Private Collection, Anejo | Double Gold/Best of Class | cierto.com | |
Cutwater Spirits | Cutwater Strawberry Margarita | Double Gold/Best of Class | cutwaterspirits.com | |
Cutwater Spirits | Cutwater Tropical Tiki Rum Mai Tai | Double Gold/Best of Class | cutwaterspirits.com | |
Cutwater Spirits | Cutwater White Russian | Double Gold/Best of Class | cutwaterspirits.com | |
503 Distilling | Silent Rock Vanilla Whiskey Cream | Double Gold/Best of Class | 503distilling.com | |
Angel's Envy | Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Sauternes and Toasted Oak Barrels | Double Gold/Best of Class | angelsenvy.com | |
Rancho La Gloria | Espresso Martini | Double Gold/Best of Class | rancholagloria.com | |
Spirit Works Distillery | Barrel Reserve Sloe Gin | Double Gold/Best of Class | spiritworksdistilling.com | |
St. George Spirits NOLA Coffee Liqueur | NOLA Coffee Liqueur | Double Gold/Best of Class | stgeorgespirits.com | |
Terrapin | Terrapin Spruce | Double Gold/Best of Class | tcdistilling.com | |
Boldt | Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey | Gold/Best of Class | alchemydistillery.com | |
Crater Lake Spirits | Black Butte Whiskey Cask Strength | Gold/Best of Class | craterlakespirits.com | |
Las Californias | Las Californias Citrico | Gold/Best of Class | lascalifornias.com | |
Cutwater Spirits | Cutwater Whiskey Lemonade | Gold/Best of Class | cutwaterspirits.com | |
Sienna Spirits Distillery | Arizona Reaper | Gold/Best of Class | lovetonfarmsdistillery.com | |
Fast Penny Spirits | Amaricano Shakerato | Gold/Best of Class | fastpennyspirits.com |
And let’s celebrate our other honorees
The Competition Judges:
- Dan Berger, award-winning wine columnist
- Debra Del Fiorentino, sommelier, CSW, and CWP
- Ziggy Eschliman, radio and TV host, blogger, the Contessa of Cocktails.
- Tara Heffernon, sommelier and restaurant owner
- Jason Jorgensen, co-founder and head distiller Alley 6
- Jennifer Kelly, sommelier, consultant, and spirit expert
- Lara Sanfilippo, sommelier and restaurant owner
- Chris Sawyer, sommelier to the stars, radio and TV personality
- Jason Schneider, general manager, Bottle Barn, chief spirit buyer
- Vicki Tomesello, sommelier and consultant
- Larry Van Aalst, sommelier, radio host, The Sonoma Report, CRN radio
Read the 2024 Spirits Issue
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