Nine members of the Michigan Craft Distillers Association (MCDA) recently brought home a collective 38 medals from the American Distilling Institute’s annual Judging of Craft Spirits competition.
BEST OF CATEGORY
- Corsets, Whips, and Whiskey (White Whiskey) – Journeyman Distillery, Three Oaks
- Original Orange Liqueur (Citrus Liquor) – Long Road Distillers, Grand Rapids
- Rum Punch (Ready to Drink) – New Holland Artisan Spirits, Grand Rapids
BEST OF CLASS
- Rum Punch (Ready to Drink) – New Holland Artisan Spirits, Grand Rapids
DOUBLE GOLD
- Rum Punch (Ready to Drink) – New Holland Artisan Spirits, Grand Rapids
GOLD
- Beer Barrel Bourbon (Bourbon) – New Holland Artisan Spirits, Grand Rapids
- Corsets, Whips, and Whiskey (White Whiskey) – Journeyman Distillery, Three Oaks
SILVER
- Black & Blue Bourbon (Bourbon) – Motor City Gas, Royal Oak
- Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies (Blended Bourbon) – Coppercraft Distillery, Holland
- Blue Flame Agave (Agave Spirit) – Round Barn Distillery, Baroda
- Catcher’s Rye Whiskey (Excellence in Packaging) – Two James Spirits, Detroit
- Cather’s Rye Whiskey (Rye Whiskey) – Two James Spirits, Detroit
- Divine Vodka (Vodka – Neutral Character) – Round Barn Distillery, Baroda
- Field Rye (Flavored Whiskey) – Journeyman Distillery, Three Oaks
- Knickerbocker Barrel Aged Gin (Aged Gin) – New Holland Artisan Spirits, Grand Rapids
- Moonshine (Corn Whiskey) – Michigan Moonshine, Grandville
- Original Orange Liqueur (Citrus Liquor) – Long Road Distillers, Grand Rapids
- Original Rum (Pot Still Rum) – Long Road Distillers, Grand Rapids
- Red Sky Rum (Pot Still Rum) – Round Barn Distillery, Baroda
- Rye Whiskey (Rye Whiskey) – Coppercraft Distillery, Holland
- Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Bourbon) – Coppercraft Distillery, Holland
- Vodka (Vodka – Neutral Character) – Wise Men Distillery, Kentwood
BRONZE
- 269 Gin (Contemporary Gin) – Round Barn Distillery, Baroda
- Amaro Pazzo (Coffee Liqueur) – Long Road Distillers, Grand Rapids
- Apple Pie Moonshine (Flavored Whiskey) – Wise Men Distillery, Kentwood
- Aquavit (Aquavit) – Long Road Distillers, Grand Rapids
- Baroda straight Bourbon Whiskey (Bourbon) – Round Barn Distillery, Baroda
- Blueberry Gin Lemonade (Ready to Drink) – New Holland Artisan Spirits, Grand Rapids
- Gin (Classic Gin) – Wise Men Distillery, Kentwood
- Gin (Contemporary Gin) – Long Road Distillers, Grand Rapids
- Gin (Excellence in Packaging) Coppercraft – Distillery, Holland
- Lake Life Vodka (Vodka – Neutral Character) – New Holland Artisan Spirits, Grand Rapids
- MICHIGIN (Contemporary Gin) – Long Road Distillers, Grand Rapids
- Nocino (Nut Liqueur) – Long Road Distillers, Grand Rapids
- Original Vodka (Vodka – Residual Base Character) – Long Road Distillers, Grand Rapids
- White Rum (Column Still Rum) – Wise Men Distillery, Kentwood
EXCELLENCE IN PACKAGING – Brand Identity
- Silver – Journeyman Distillery, Three Oaks
- Silver – Long Road Distillers, Grand Rapids
In 2007, the American Distilling Institute revolutionized spirits competitions with the creation of the Judging of Craft Spirits. Before the ADI Judging, spirits competitions simply gave out scores or medals. But to better serve the growing number of craft spirits from around the country, ADI developed the first competition to award excellence with medals and utilizes the expertise of our judges to give written feedback on every spirit entered into our competition. Now the oldest and the largest competition dedicated to craft spirits, the ADI Judging accepts US and International entries in all classes and categories of distilled spirits, RTDs, cocktail bitters, aperitif & fortified wines from its members and non-member small/medium size producers. However, our mission remains the same: ADI recognizes excellence in the glass; promotes distillers and blenders that are producing the world’s finest quality artisan spirits; and gives participating producers valuable, unbiased, third-party feedback on the quality and process of their spirits.
The Michigan Craft Distillers Association was formed in October 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.
MCDA currently represents 30 craft distilleries with nearly 50 unique tasting room locations around the state, as well as a handful of distillery in-planning members and nearly 30 allied members providing goods and services. Michigan’s craft distilling industry is growing at a rapid pace – ranking #9 in the nation in terms of overall number of distilleries according to annual data compiled by the American Craft Spirits Association.