Heaven Hill Named Most Awarded U.S. Distillery for Second Consecutive Year at 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (June 11, 2025) – For the second year in a row, Heaven Hill Brands has been named the Most Awarded U.S. Distillery at the prestigious 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, earning a staggering more than 90 medals across its portfolio—including 15 Double Gold and 15 Gold awards. The distillery also had seven products advance to the “Best of Class” finals, with winners to be announced at the Competition’s Top Shelf Convention in November. This recognition reaffirms Heaven Hill’s position as a leader in American whiskey and spirits, with exceptional performance across a wide array of categories.

Best of Class Finalists:

Seven Heaven Hill products were named Best of Class Finalists, highlighting the distillery’s range and mastery of craft across styles:

• Best of Class Straight Bourbon Finalist: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C924

• Best of Class Wheated Bourbon Finalist: Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Traditional Barrel Series Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon

• Best of Class Wheat Whiskey Finalists:

  • Bernheim Straight Wheat Whiskey

  • Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 19-Year-Old Wheat Whiskey

• Best of Class Cream Liqueur Finalists:

  • Carolans Salted Caramel Irish Cream

  • Evan Williams Egg Nog

• Best of Class Small Batch Bourbon 11 Years & Older Finalist: Widow Jane Lucky 13 Bourbon

Platinum Medal Winners:

Four standout Heaven Hill products were awarded the rare Platinum Medal, an honor reserved for entries receiving Double Gold three years in a row:

• Carolans Irish Cream

• Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Bourbon

• Tequila Ocho Plata

• Widow Jane 10-Year-Old Bourbon

The achievement marks an additional notable event in a banner year for Heaven Hill, as the company prepares to celebrate two major milestones: the highly anticipated opening of the Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in September 2025, and the company's 90th anniversary on December 13, 2025.

“These awards are a true reflection of the craft, innovation, and legacy that define Heaven Hill Brands,” said Kate Latts, Co-President and third-generation family member. “To be recognized again as the ‘Most Awarded U.S. Distillery’ is not just an honor, it’s a validation of our commitment to making spirits that resonate with consumers and connoisseurs alike.”

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, founded in 2000, is one of the world’s most respected and rigorous judging events. Over 6,000 spirits were blind tasted by a panel of industry experts to ensure fair, unbiased evaluation based solely on quality. For more information, visit www.thetastingalliance.com.

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ABOUT HEAVEN HILL BRANDS: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is one of the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and led spirits producers and marketers, as well as the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill has been named a Best Managed Company in both 2024 and 2025 by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Heaven Hill, Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Widow Jane, Larceny, Old Fitzgerald, and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye and FEW Whiskey; Deep Eddy Vodka; Admiral Nelson’s Rum; Black Velvet Canadian Whisky; Lunazul and Ocho Tequila; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; and Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur.