San Francisco World Spirits Competition

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San Francisco World Spirits Competition The largest Spirits Competition in the world Thirty-nine spirits experts convened to judge a record-breaking 1,899 entries!

ABOUT THE EVENT
Since its introduction in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) has become the most respected and influential spirits competition in the world. Emphasizing integrity and impartiality, the SFWSC takes great pride in ensuring that all entries are treated with equal care and consideration by our panels of carefully selected spirits-industry experts. An SFWSC medal has come to be the most reliable indication of spirits excellence, and spirits recognized as medal-worthy by our judges are understood around the world by both the trade and consumers to be the best the industry has to offer.

2016:
The 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition was held at the Hotel Nikko, San Francisco, March 17th through 20th. Bunnahabhain Distillery of Islay, Scotland, was named the 2016 Tasting Panel Magazine Distillery of the Year. Bunnahabhain's 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch also earned the award for Best Distillers' Single Malt Scotch. Importer of the Year honors went to Pernod Ricard of New York, U.S.A., for their outstanding performance, winning 10 Double Gold and six Best in Show awards. The Director's Award of Excellence went to Four Roses Distillery of Kentucky, U.S.A. The award recognizes Jim Rutledge’s final creations as Four Roses' master distiller, especially for his 2015 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon, which our judges named 2016’s Best Bourbon.

07/28/2026

For the Emerald Hour, we chose Micil Distillery Irish Gin (2026 SFWSC Gold Medalist) for its vibrant citrus character and wild Irish botanicals, which complement the delicate floral notes of elderflower and the brightness of fresh lime. The result is a refreshing, sparkling cocktail that's crisp, elegant, and perfectly suited for long summer evenings.

𝗜𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:
- 1½ oz Gin
- ¾ oz elderflower liqueur
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- 2 oz chilled Prosecco
- 1 oz chilled soda water
- Ice

𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
Fill a large stemmed w**e glass completely with ice. Pour in the gin, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lime juice. Stir gently for 5–10 seconds to chill. Slowly top with the Prosecco. Add the soda water.

Irish wh***ey continues its remarkable evolution, and the results from the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition ...
07/06/2026

Irish wh***ey continues its remarkable evolution, and the results from the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition prove it. The Whisk[e]y Wash has published the complete list of every award-winning Irish wh***ey from this year's competition, including 10 Double Gold medalists. With new distilleries opening across the island and legacy brands being revived, the category is deeper and more competitive than ever. These results show exactly where the best of Irish wh***ey stands today.

https://thewh***eywash.com/wh***ey-awards/every-award-winning-irish-wh***ey-from-the-san-francisco-world-spirits-competition-2026/

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06/24/2026

In our latest Proof of Concept episode, Kate Latts of Heaven Hill Distillery gets honest about what it really means to carry a family legacy forward. For Kate, the family business isn't just a job, it's deeply personal. She describes the weight of it as pressure, but the exciting kind. The kind that becomes fuel.

As a family business ourselves, we understand that the drive to do right by the people who built something with you is unlike any other motivation out there. This one's a must-listen for anyone building something meant to outlast them.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/j9C97jWVZRs?si=KczhlRoxrk-Buff6

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5eEYCrT6ESINvYeLSppYi1?si=pii_VZgaTLew5zPgZNaMeQ

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stewardship-over-shortcuts-kate-latts-on-heaven-hills/id1879345401?i=1000774042904

Introducing the first round of Best of Class Finalists in our Wh***ey categories at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits...
06/23/2026

Introducing the first round of Best of Class Finalists in our Wh***ey categories at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. From cask strength ryes to Tennessee legends to American single malts pushing the category forward, these products earned their spot the only way that counts here: judged blind, on the liquid alone.

Congrats to our finalists!
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Tell us which finalist you're rooting for as the winner to be announced at Top Shelf 2026!

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Our judges have named the Best of Class finalists across five categories. Swipe to find out who 👀→ Best Rye Wh***ey→ Bes...
06/23/2026

Our judges have named the Best of Class finalists across five categories. Swipe to find out who 👀

→ Best Rye Wh***ey
→ Best New Rye Wh***ey
→ Best Tennessee Wh***ey
→ Best Blended American Wh***ey
→ Best Single Malt American Wh***ey

Best of Class winners announced soon.

The wrong glass can quietly ruin a great pour. 🫣Shape changes aroma, temperature, even how carbonation behaves — which i...
06/17/2026

The wrong glass can quietly ruin a great pour. 🫣

Shape changes aroma, temperature, even how carbonation behaves — which is why your martini glass and your Old Fashioned glass were never meant to be interchangeable.

Link in bio for the full glassware guide.

The results are in. The 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Best of Class finalists have been announced for Bou...
06/15/2026

The results are in. The 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Best of Class finalists have been announced for Bourbon categories. Congratulations to every medalist who earned their place through blind judging this year. Explore details on the first list of finalists announced: https://thetastingalliance.com/news-events?categories=50749&type=posts

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