From happy hour to tasting experiences and distillery tours, craft distilleries across the United States are revamping the craft cocktail and spirits experience. So, we looked for the best craft and small-batch spirits producers – family-owned distilleries, grain-to-glass operations and distillers using only the best local ingredients in their products.
To find the best of the best, we invited a panel of industry experts, as well as food and drink writers, to nominate top producers in each category. Then, we invited you to vote for your favorites. The results are in.
Click on each category below to see the full winners list.
Best Canned Cocktail: Spritz Society
Best canned cocktail? Spritz Society takes first place — Photo courtesy of Spritz Society
Spritz Society believes that taste matters; that’s why they use natural fruit flavor and real Sonoma California white wine to create a convenient sparkling wine cocktail that can go anywhere. Their go-to flavor is tart and bold grapefruit. Other flavors include peach, blood orange, pineapple and lemon. Each 6% ABV can is low on calories and sugar.
Full list of winners: Best Canned Cocktail »
Best Craft Brandy Distillery: Spirits of French Lick in West Baden Springs, Indiana
Spirits of French Lick named Best Brandy Distillery — Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Leary Photography
Indiana’s Spirits of French Lick distillery produces three different brandies, an apple brandy, Catawba grape juice brandy and an eau de vie infused with Marion blackberries.
Full list of winners: Best Craft Brandy Distillery »
Best Craft Gin Distillery: Revivalist Botanical Gins in Elverson, Pennsylvania
Revivalist Botanical Gins once again named Best Gin Distillery — Photo courtesy of Revivalist Botanical Gins
Housed in what they affectionately have nicknamed the “Hippie Barn,” the Revivalists are shaking things up with their award-winning gin. The philosophy behind their dry, juniper-forward gins “is rooted in radical curiosity, bold experimentation, and love for one-of-a-kind experiences.”
Full list of winners: Best Craft Gin Distillery »
Best Craft Mixer Brand: Strongwater
Strongwater voted Best Craft Mixer Brand — Photo courtesy of Strongwater
Inspired by the apothecaries of the 16th century, Strongwater adds a dash of botanical integrity to cocktails through their line of herb and hemp bitters, shrubs and cocktail syrups.
Full list of winners: Best Craft Mixer Brand »
Best Craft Rum Distillery: LYON RUM in St. Michaels, Maryland
Best Rum Distillery? LYON RUM selected by readers — Photo courtesy of LYON RUM
LYON RUM is the flagship spirit of Windon Distilling Company, a microdistillery on the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland’s oldest operating distillery. LYON uses 100% American sugar cane and proudly produces every drop of its rum in small batches on-site, from fermentation to bottling.
Rum lovers have numerous options to choose from: White Rum, Dark Rum and barrel-rested Sailors Reserve Rum, plus Curaçao, Coffee Rum, Rock & Rum and seasonal specialties like toasted Coconut Rum, Overproof Pineapple Rum and Blackberry Harvest Rum.
Full list of winners: Best Craft Rum Distillery »
Best Craft Specialty Spirits Distillery: City Gate Spirits in St. Augustine, Florida
City Gate Spirits voted Best Craft Specialty Spirits Distillery — Photo courtesy of City Gate Spirits
This distillery offers moonshine, whiskey, rum and vodka, only steps from St. Augustine’s iconic city gate. If you prefer moonshine, they have White Lightning, Apple Pie and Orange N’ Cream flavors. You can also take home their Ancient City Spice or Passion Fruit Sour mixers as souvenirs of your trip to St. Augustine.
Full list of winners: Best Craft Specialty Spirits Distillery »
Best Craft Vodka Distillery: South Fork Vodka in Grass Valley, California
Best Vodka Distillery? Readers select South Fork Vodka — Photo courtesy of Heather Lenhart
South Fork Vodka is a six-time distilled spirit that is 100% gluten-free and non-GMO. It has already become one of the most awarded vodkas in Northern California.
Full list of winners: Best Craft Vodka Distillery »
Best Craft Whiskey Distillery: Ironroot Republic in Denison, Texas
Ironroot Republic named Best Whiskey Distillery — Photo courtesy of Ironroot Republic
Ironroot Republic mashes, ferments, distills, ages and bottles all their spirits in Denison, Texas for a true grain-to-glass experience. The lineup includes six whiskeys – three bourbons, an American whiskey and two straight corn whiskeys.
Full list of winners: Best Craft Whiskey Distillery »
Best New Craft Distillery: Burnt Church Distillery in Bluffton, South Carolina
Burnt Church Distillery voted Best New Craft Distillery — Photo courtesy of Ian Santiago
Burnt Church Distillery was established in 2021 to serve as a love letter to the residents (both past and present) of Bluffton, South Carolina. Since opening, Burnt Church has been making a meaningful contribution to the spirits industry and its community by crafting spirits that pay tribute to and keep the history and culture of the South Carolina Lowcountry alive.
In addition to trying their whiskeys, gin, vodka, flavored moonshines and craft cocktails inspired by the local area, visitors can tour the manufacturing facility, relax in the humidor or explore the history room.
Full list of winners: Best New Craft Distillery »
Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10Best.com daily to vote in our Readers’ Choice contests.
