We are excited to announce the 2025 winners!

2025 "Best of Show” Winners
1st  Place: Stranahan's Blue Peak Single Malt Whiskey
2nd Place: Sazerac Rye Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye
3rd Place: Blue Note Crossroads Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Click here for the full list of winners!

Thank you to all the brands, staff, and judges for a fantastic competition!

Why Enter?

Winning isn’t just about a medal – it’s about unlocking real business opportunities and gaining industry recognition that matters.

Get Discovered by Distributors & Investors – Winning can help you land deals and grow your business.
Build Customer Trust & Sales – Consumers trust award-winning brands over competitors.
Win or lose, You Gain Exposure and Valuable Information – All entrants receive publicity, social media promotion, featured in Wine Country Magazine, and expert judge feedback.
Gain Expert Insight – Every entrant may request copies of our professional judging sheets with notes from our industry-leading judges.

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Winners Get Over $2,000 In Benefits

  • Physical die-cast medals ($60 value)
  • Downloadable Digital Medal Graphics ($200 value)
  • Publicity and coverage in Wine Country International ® magazine, reaching 600,000 affluent enthusiasts, and press release distribution to all national beverage news outlets. ($1500 value)
  • Actual scores provided (100 pt scale) ($50 value)
  • Winner's products & awards are listed on Wine-Searcher.Com (tm) with links to local resellers. ($500 value)
  • Recent studies have shown that 75% of consumers prefer to purchase award-winning products, and distributors and retailers favor representing brands that have received recent accolades.
  • Showcase your results to grow your business.

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How It Works

We’ve made entering simple. Just follow these steps:

  • Register & Pay – Secure your spot before Friday, March 15, 2025.
  • Send Your Samples – Ship two 750 ml bottles (or eight 12 oz cans) to be delivered to us by March 18, 2025.
  • Get Judged by Industry Experts – Our panel of 30 elite spirits authorities scores your product.
  • Win & Gain Recognition – Medals, media exposure, and credibility await the best brands.

See the 2025 Spirit Category List

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Past Competition Winners 🏅

A winning medal isn’t just an award – it’s a statement of excellence. Stand alongside past winners who have leveraged their medals to grow their brands.

2024 “Best Of Show” Winners:

  • W.L Weller -William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon - 1st Place 
  • Courvoisier XO Royal Cognac - 2nd Place
  • Stagg Straight Bourbon - 3rd Place

2024 Best of Class Winners:

  • Tequila- Casa Azul Organic Tequila Blanco
  • Vodka-Psycho Love Vodka
  • Rye Whiskey-Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Rye Whiskey (Batch 009)

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Packaging & Design Contest

Brand identity matters. Great packaging sells. That’s why we also award the best packaging designs in spirits.

  • Judged by seasoned Art Directors, Packaging Designers, and Retail Buyers.
  • Winners receive die-cast medals and royalty-free medal artwork.

See winners - Download PDF List

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Denver International Spirits Competition
Featured in the News!

Business Wire: Cierto Tequila Wins 8 Gold Medals at the 2024 Denver International Spirits Competition
FOX2 News: Austin 121 Light Whiskey Wins Gold at 2024 Denver International Spirits Competition
9 Best American Whiskeys & Bourbons According To The Denver International Spirits Competitioneady to find out more?

Important Deadlines & Pricing

  • Online Entry Deadline: March 7, 2025
  • Sample Delivery Deadline: March 11, 2025
  • Entry Fee: $500

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don’t win?

Every entrant gains exposure through press coverage, social media promotion, and professional feedback from our expert judges. Even without a medal, your brand benefits.

What do I get after winning?

  • Die-cast medals for winners
  • Royalty-free digital medal artwork
  • Scorecards & judges’ notes (available upon request)
  • Publicity in Wine Country International® magazine and news outlets
  • Featured on our social media platforms.

How are the judges selected?

Our panel consists of 30 of America’s most respected spirits authorities, ensuring fair, professional, and expert evaluations of your product.

How do I submit my samples?

  • 2 x 750 ml bottles (or 8 x 12 oz cans) per entry.
  • Samples should be shipped between January 10 and March 15, 2025.
  • We provide all shipping details upon registration.

Can I enter if I am not in the United States?

Yes, we have many international entries.
Producers without US importers will need to apply for a Cola Waiver and FDA permit BEFORE they ship us samples. We work with an excellent US Broker who can assist. Please email us for details or contact the Competition Director on WhatsApp: 017203023665.

Is there a limit to how many entries I can make?

No, there is no limit to the number of entries per producer.

To learn more, email: [email protected] or call 303 665-0855

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