Every year that we host the annual Sunset International Spirits Competition, we’re blown away by the sheer breadth, depth, and excellence of the spirits available to consumers. This year confirmed that the spirits industry is more thrilling and satisfying than ever before, and, as always, it’s our honor to celebrate brands and distilleries pushing the industry to new heights. Whether you’re looking for a top shelf tequila, mezcal, whisky, or canned cocktail, you’ll find the best brands here. Join us in toasting the winners!
| Brand | Name | Award | Extra Honors | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bushmills | 10 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey | Best of the Best/Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Whiskey/Best Irish Whiskey | proximospirits.com |
| Saentis Malt – Swiss Alpine Whisky | Edition Sigel | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Single Malt | saentismalt.com |
| CALI | Thunder Mesquite Finished Bourbon | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Bourbon | calidistillery.com |
| Two Stacks | Two Stacks Double Irish Cream Liqueur | Best of Class/Gold | Best Liqueur | twostackswhiskey.com |
| High West Distillery | Double Rye | Best of Class/Gold | Best Straight Rye Whiskey | highwest.com |
| Korbel Champagne Cellars | Classic Brandy | Best of Class/Gold | Best Brandy | korbel.com |
| Lobos 1707 Tequila | Lobos 1707 Tequila Joven | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Blanco | lobos1707.com |
| Nowadays | Canned THC Cocktail, Berry | Best of Class/Gold | Best Cannabis Infused | trynowadays.com |
| 1800 | 1800 Anejo | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Anejo | proximospirits.com |
| 1800 | 1800 Cristalino | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Cristalino | proximospirits.com |
| 1800 | 1800 Milenio | Best of Class/Gold | Best Extra Anejo | proximospirits.com |
| 1800 | 1800 Reposado | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Tequila/Best Reposado | proximospirits.com |
| 400 Conejos | 400 Conejos Reposado | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Mezcal | proximospirits.com |
| Pendleton Whisky | Pendleton Original—Buy It! |
Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Canadian Whiskey | pendletonwhisky.com |
| Redwood Empire Whiskey | Van Duzen | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Small Batch Whiskey | redwoodempirewhiskey.com |
| SOTO Junmai Daiginjo | SOTO Junmai Daiginjo Sake | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Sake | sotosake.com |
| High Noon Tequila Seltzer | High Noon Tequila Lime | Best of Class/Gold | Best Seltzer | spiritofgallo.com |
| Ron del Barrilito | 5 Stars Rum | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Rum | spiritofgallo.com |
| Salt Point | Vodka Mule Canned Vodka Cocktail | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Ready to Drink | spiritofgallo.com |
| Stillweather Spirits | American Sunset Gin | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Gin | stillweatherspirits.com |
| Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Tennessee Whiskey | unclenearest.com |
| Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey – Batch 905 | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Single Barrel Whiskey | unclenearest.com |
| The Community Spirit Vodka | The Community Spirit Vodka | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Vodka | thecommunityspiritvodka.com |
| Tin City Distillery | Chocolate Love Vodka | Best of Class/Gold | Best Vodka Infused | tincitydistillery.com |
| Tommy’s Margarita |  Tommy’s Margarita Mix – Jalapeno—Buy It! |
Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Mixer | tommysmargarita.com |
| Vice & Vertu Distilleries Inc. | AquaVice | Best of Class/Double Gold | Best Akvavit | vicevertu.ca |
| Ameragave | Ameragave Silver | Best of Class/Gold | ameragave.com | |
| Bushmills | Black Bush | Best of Class/Double Gold | proximospirits.com | |
| Creyente | Creyente Azul Mezcal Cristalino | Best of Class/Gold | proximospirits.com | |
| TINCUP | TINCUP Original | Best of Class/Double Gold | proximospirits.com | |
| Steelbound Brewery and Distillery | Bourbon | Best of Class/Gold | proximospirits.com |
And let’s celebrate our other honorees
The Competition Judges
- Debra Del Fiorentino: Chief Judge, Sommelier, CSW, and CWP
- Dan Berger: Award-winning wine columnist
- Traci Dutton: Sommelier and educator
- Penny Gadd Coster: Winemaker
- J.B. Kelly: Sommelier and beverage executive
- Laura Sanfillipo: Sommelier and restaurant owner
- Greg Santini: Beverage professional
- Chris Sawyer: Sommelier to the stars, radio and TV personality
- T.J. Smith: Beverage professional
- Larry Van Aalst: Sommelier, radio host, The Sonoma Report, CRN radio
Read the 2025 Spirits Issue
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