Seven Michigan Distilleries Receive Collective 28 Awards at American Distilling Institute’s 11th Annual Spirits Competition in Baltimore, Maryland

(TRAVERSE CITY, Mich)—Seven (7) Michigan distilleries were honored with 28 individual awards in a variety of categories on April 4, 2017 at the American Distilling Institute’s 11th Annual Spirits Competition, held as part of its annual conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Over 800 spirits from around the world were entered into the ADI Judging, all from independently owned distilleries. The double-blind competition is based on a 100-point scale and spirits are judged within price categories. Judges cast their votes for the best spirit entries and award medals for first (Gold), second (Silver), and third (Bronze) place for each qualifying category.

“We’re excited to see more of our member distilleries participating in and being recognized with medals at these national competitions,” says Dianna Stampfler, executive director of the Michigan Craft Distillers Association. “Last year, six Michigan distilleries received 16 medals and this year we nearly doubled the hardware presented to our members. That’s exciting news for Pure Michigan’s growing craft spirits industry.”

Long Road Distillers out of Grand Rapids received “Best of Class – Certified Craft Distilled Spirits” for its Aquavit. This spirit won Double Gold in this competition in 2016.

Grand Traverse Distillery out of Traverse City received “Best of Category – Certified Craft Distilled Spirits” in the Grain-to-Glass Vodka – Residual Base Character category for its True North Rye Vodka. That spirit also received a Double Gold Medal in the “Certified Craft Distilled Spirits & Certified Craft Blended Spirits” competition for the same category.

In the “Excellent in Packaging” category, Long Road Distillers received a Gold Medal for its Michigin and Ann Arbor Distilling Co. received a Bronze Medal for its Arbor Fall Gin.

Other awards included:

GOLD MEDALS

CategoryDistillerySpirit
AquavitLong Road DistillersAquavit
Smoked WhiskeyGrand Traverse DistilleryIslay Rye Whiskey

SILVER MEDALS

CategoryDistillerySpirit
Aged RumNew Holland Artisan SpiritsFreshwater Michigan Rum
BourbonGrand Traverse Distillery100% Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Contemporary Rectified GinAnn Arbor Distilling Co.Arbor Winter Gin
Contemporary Rectified GinNew Holland Artisan SpiritsKnickerbocker Gin
Herbal/Botanical/Spice LiqueurBier DistilleryBrillari Amaro
Malt WhiskeyNew Holland Artisan SpiritsZepplin Bend American
Single Malt Whiskey
Malt WhiskeyNew Holland Artisan SpiritsZepplin Bend Reserve American
Single Malt Whiskey
Rye WhiskeyGrand Traverse DistilleryOle George 100% Straight
Rye Whiskey

BRONZE MEDALS

CategoryDistillerySpirit
Contemporary Grain-to-Glass GinGrand Traverse DistilleryPeninsula Gin
Contemporary Grain-to-Glass GinLong Road DistillersGin
Contemporary Grain-to-Glass GinNew Holland Artisan SpiritsBarrel Knickerbocker Gin
Flavored VodkaGrand Traverse DistilleryTrue North Chipotle Vodka
Flavored VodkaMotor City GasShag’Nasty Hickory Flavored Whiskey
Grain-to-Glass Vodka:
Residual Base CharacterIron Fish DistilleryMichigan Wheat Whiskey
Malt WhiskeyLong Road DistillersMalt Whiskey
Navy-Strength GinNew Holland Artisan SpiritsNavy Strength Knickerbocker
Rye WhiskeyGrand Traverse DistilleryCask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey
Signature Botanical/Flavored GinNew Holland Artisan SpiritsBlue Haven Blueberry Flavored Gin
Signature Botanical/Flavored GinNew Holland Artisan SpiritsKnickerbocker Ginger Flavored Gin
Specialty SpiritsIron Fish DistilleryBourbon Whiskey Finished in
Maple Syrup Barrels
Unaged RumIron Fish DistilleryMichigan White Rum

The complete list of award winners can be found here.

The Michigan Craft Distillers Association was formed in 2014 as a non-profit organization charged with marketing the individual member businesses, their products and events, but also help bring a voice for the industry when it comes to legislative issues that affect the overall beverage industry.