These Spirits Stole the Show—Find Out What Made the Cut

Walk into any liquor store or scroll through a never-ending online aisle—bottles stacked like a skyline, each one begging for your attention. Amid that kind of noise, a medal helps top products stand out. But not just any medal. The ones from L.A. Spirits Awards carry weight because the people behind them do, too. Twenty judges, all experts from across the industry—including bartenders, buyers, spirits consultants, and writers—brought their diverse perspectives and sharp palates to the table. They don’t hand out medals lightly. When they say a bottle’s worth drinking, you can believe it.

The 2025 competition brought bold bourbons, refined tequilas, innovative non-alcoholic options, and everything in between. After careful and rigorous evaluation, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum medals were awarded deserving brands. And a select few rose above the rest to earn L.A. Spirits Awards’ highest distinction. These Best in Show winners aren’t just standouts—they’re the best of the best.

LA Spirits Awards 2025 Best in Show Winners

Best Vodka: High Ground – Estate Vodka

High Ground Estate Vodka isn’t just a name—it’s a commitment. In Nevada, the term “Estate” means something real. By law, the majority of the raw materials used must be grown on land you control, and High Ground leans into that with pride. From seed to still, every step honors the land they live and work on.

The result is a vodka with true provenance—clean, crisp, and grounded in place. It opens with a subtle nose of fresh grain, leads into a silky, smooth palate, and finishes clean without the burn. No shortcuts, no sourcing—just vodka with roots, made the hard way because that’s the only way that matters.

Best Gin: Goldie's Gin

Goldie’s Gin is as unpretentious as the industry that inspired it—crafted for bartenders, by bartenders. Distilled with a crisp, clean backbone of classic juniper, it opens up with bright citrus, subtle floral notes, and just enough spice to keep things interesting.

It’s a gin built for shift drinks, dive bars, and cocktail menus alike—versatile, affordable, and unapologetically smooth. Born from long nights, barback hustle, and a love for the craft, Goldie’s isn’t about perfection—it’s about the people, the stories, and the pour that brings them together.

Best Rum: Ten To One – Caribbean White Rum

Ten To One Caribbean White Rum is rewriting the rules—loudly, proudly, and without cutting corners. This award-winning blend brings together column still rum from the Dominican Republic and high-ester pot still rum from Jamaica, creating an unaged, extra-proof expression that’s anything but basic. No sugar, no coloring, no flavoring—just 100% real rum with soul.

You’ll catch notes of jasmine, honeysuckle, white pepper, and lemongrass, all riding on a clean, crisp finish that hits with character and charm. It’s herbaceous, fruity, a little funky, and built to elevate whatever cocktail you throw at it. This isn’t background noise—it’s the whole damn rhythm section.

Best Flavored Rum: Captain Morgan – Sweet Chili Lime

Captain Morgan Sweet Chili Lime is a wild card in the best possible way—bright, citrusy, spicy—and absolutely not playing by the rules. This bold new blend takes premium Caribbean rum and infuses it with natural flavors that hit all the right notes: a little sweet up front, a splash of fresh lime in the middle, and just enough chili heat to keep things interesting.

It’s fun, fiery, and dangerously easy to drink. Whether you’re throwing back a Sweet Heat Shot, spiking some fresh lemonade, or shaking up your next cocktail, this one brings the party with every pour. At 35% ABV, it’s smooth, wild, and unlike anything you’ve tasted before.

Best Other Cane Spirit: SC Lab – S.2 Cha Jiu Black Tea Roasted Longan

From the innovative minds at Sensitive Creatures Lab in Taipei, Taiwan, SC Lab’s S.2 Cha Jiu Black Tea Roasted Longan is a bold, aromatic spirit that reimagines what tea and distillation can be. Distilled from cane and infused with the rich, smoky essence of black tea and charcoal-roasted longan, this 45% ABV Cha Jiu (“tea wine”) delivers deep, toasty layers of malt, dried fruit, and a gentle smokiness that lingers with warmth.

It’s intense but elegant—an ode to Taiwan’s tea culture with a spirited twist. Whether you sip it neat, over ice, or use it as the backbone of a tea-inspired cocktail, this is a drink for the curious, the creative, and the ones who never settle for ordinary.

Best Blanco Tequila: Centinela – Clásico Blanco Tequila

Centinela Clásico Blanco Tequila is tequila stripped down to its purest form—raw, honest, and straight from the highlands of Arandas, Mexico. This 100% blue agave tequila hits with bright silver clarity and a clean, balanced aroma that doesn’t shout over itself, letting the true character of the cooked agave shine.

There’s a quiet complexity here—fresh citrus, a touch of fruit, and a slightly sweet finish that rounds it all out. No fluff, just a bold, crisp pour made for those who know good tequila doesn’t need to hide behind anything.

Best Reposado Tequila: Centinela – Clásico Reposado Tequila

Centinela Clásico Reposado Tequila is a nod to tradition, crafted in the heart of Arandas, Jalisco—a region known for its highland agave and generations of tequila-making soul. Aged just long enough to mellow but still let the agave speak, it opens with warm vanilla, roasted agave, and a gentle touch of oak.

There’s a smoothness to it, but also a quiet complexity—hints of spice, a little citrus, maybe even a whisper of butterscotch if you’re paying attention. It’s the kind of reposado that no doesn’t try too hard—just does everything right.

Best Añejo Tequila: Familia Camarena – Añejo Tequila

Familia Camarena Añejo is what happens when Jalisco meets Tennessee in all the right ways. On the nose and palate, you'll find layers of cooked sweet potato balanced with toasted oak and a touch of warm vanilla, offering a unique, savory-sweet profile that stands apart from the typical añejo.

The finish is naturally smooth, warm, and rounded—delivering depth without the burn. It’s a refined tequila with whiskey-influenced character, perfect for slow sipping and thoughtful pours. No burn, no bite—just depth, comfort, and a quiet nod to where it’s been

Best Extra Añejo Tequila + Best Tequila: Cutwater Spirits – Extra Añejo Tequila

Cutwater Spirits Extra Añejo Tequila is a slow-crafted tribute to time, tradition, and the places that shape us. Made in Tequila, Mexico from 100% blue agave that's slow-cooked in brick ovens, open fermented, and double distilled in stainless and copper alambique stills, it’s a spirit rooted in old-school craft. Then comes the twist—aged for over three years in Cutwater whiskey barrels shipped down from San Diego, this Extra Añejo takes on a deep mahogany hue and layers of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak.

The result? A rich, remarkably smooth tequila that doesn’t shout—it lingers. Bottled in Jalisco and wrapped in a label featuring the hand-drawn skull of the Rayador, a nod to both Mexican folk art and the Cutwater name, this bottle is equal parts story, soul, and seriously good tequila.

Best Mezcal: El Samaritano – Tobalá Mezcal Artesanal

El Samaritano Tobalá Mezcal Artesanal is a spirit rooted in both earth and tradition—crafted from wild Tobalá agave and shaped by fire, stone, and time. Created in 2013 by Maestro Mezcalero Don Ambrosio Martinez Blas in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, it carries the soul of its birthplace in every sip.

The name comes from “La Samaritana,” a beloved local festivity held on the fourth Friday of Lent—deeply woven into Oaxacan culture and the identity of this mezcal. Roasted in underground pits, crushed by stone, and double-distilled by hand, it opens with rich notes of campfire smoke, dried fruit, and minerality, balanced by a soft floral lift. El Samaritano isn’t just mezcal—it’s memory, ritual, and reverence in liquid form.

Best Straight Bourbon + Best Bourbon: Green River – Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Green River Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a bold, unapologetic expression from one of the oldest distilleries inc. Bottled at full proof, it delivers a rich, full-bodied experience that bourbon lovers chase: notes of warming spice, vanilla, caramel and chocolate-coated peppermints with aromatic notes of cinnamon, dried cherry.

The finish is long, warm, and slightly sweet, a reminder of its carefully aged depth. Revered for its heritage and revived with modern craftsmanship, Green River is a true nod to Kentucky bourbon tradition, brought to life with intensity and finesse.

Best Small Batch Bourbon: Warbringer – Mesquite Smoked Southwest Bourbon

This is a bold, fiery take on traditional bourbon, inspired by the rugged spirit of the American Southwest. Pot distilled and mesquite smoked, it delivers a campfire character that’s unmistakably smoky, earthy, and a little sweet. On the nose, you’ll find bold notes of barbecue, wood char, and vanilla.

The palate follows with a rich mix of smoke and spice, unfolding into layers of dark chocolate, roasted corn, and a peppery heat. The finish lingers with hints of leather and licorice. It’s not trying to be elegant—it’s trying to be unforgettable. And it is.

Best Single Barrel: Hirsch Selected Whiskeys – The Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Double Oak

Hirsch Selected Whiskeys – The Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Double Oak is a bold, no-nonsense bourbon that leans into richness without apology. Aged first in new American oak and finished in a second, freshly charred barrel, this double oak process delivers a deep, layered experience. On the nose, it’s maple-vanilla sweet, with notes of caramel, fig, and tobacco, all wrapped in a soft oak presence.

The palate brings leather, baking spice, vanilla, and rich caramel, while the finish lingers with dark chocolate, stone fruit, a touch of herbal tea, and subtle leather. Bottled straight from a single barrel—unblended, unfiltered, and full of character—this is bourbon for those who like their whiskey big, their stories true, and their pours without shortcuts. It’s Kentucky heritage with a little extra fire.

Best Corn Whiskey: Lasso Motel – 18 Year American Straight Whiskey

Lasso Motel’s 18-Year American Straight Whiskey is what patience and purpose taste like—crafted from a 99% corn, 1% malted barley mash bill and aged for nearly two decades in seasoned bourbon barrels. Twice as old, twice as smooth, this whiskey doesn’t rush—because it doesn’t have to. The nose hits with rich, buttery nostalgia—like unwrapping a Werther’s in a quiet bar somewhere off the beaten path.

Take a sip and the oak greets you first, before giving way to waves of buttery toffee, sweet maple, and a soft finish of dried apricot and brown sugar. Plush, layered, and quietly confident, it’s a slow-sipper that defines what American craftsmanship should be. Lasso Motel isn’t just aging whiskey—it’s preserving a moment in time.

Best Rye Whiskey + Best Whiskey: Lasso Motel – 10 Year Single Barrel Cask Strength Rye Whiskey

Lasso Motel’s 10-Year Single Barrel Cask Strength Rye Whiskey is a reminder that great whiskey doesn’t play it safe. Aged a full decade and bottled straight from the barrel with zero dilution, this unfiltered rye whiskey is as raw and honest as it gets. The mash bill—95% rye, 5% malted barley—delivers that signature front-end spice, but the years in oak round it out with layered complexity. On the nose: sweet spice, apple, dark fruit, and a touch of light cinnamon. On the palate: bold rye heat up front, followed by a balanced sweetness, warm cinnamon, subtle wood and char, and a dry, satisfying finish.

Every barrel is a one-of-one, with nothing added and nothing taken away. It’s big, balanced, and built for people who want their whiskey loud and true. Lasso Motel doesn’t water it down—it lets the whiskey speak for itself.

Best American Single Malt + Best Single Malt Whiskey: Stranahan's – Blue Peak Single Malt Whiskey

Stranahan’s Blue Peak is single malt with a wild streak—born a mile high in Denver, aged in new American oak, and named after a 13-thousand-foot peak in Aspen. This whiskey doesn’t try to be Scotch, and it damn sure isn’t bourbon. It’s its own thing—butterscotch and toasted oak on the front, backed apple and a little mountain spice on the back, all smoothed out by the Solera process without losing its edge.

It’s whiskey for cold nights, long drives, and the kind of conversations that don’t need a filter. Rugged, honest, and just refined enough to keep you coming back.

Best Aperitif: Rue de Rêve – Rouge Apéritif

Rue de Rêve Rouge Apéritif is the kind of drink that doesn’t rush—you sip it slow and let the day unfold. Deep red, herbaceous, and just the right amount of bitter, it’s layered with dried fruit, wildflowers, and a touch of spice that lingers like a good story.

Inspired by classic French apéritifs but made with its own rules, Rue de Rêve isn’t about pretense—it’s about presence. Pour it over ice, add a splash of soda, or just mix it in a drink.

Best Liqueur: Two Stacks – Double Irish Cream Liqueur

Two Stacks Double Irish Cream is what happens when you take tradition, pour a double, and don’t look back. Rich, silky, and just boozy enough to remind you it’s not dessert—this is Irish cream with a backbone. Built on the world’s first blend of four different whiskey styles—and using eight times more Irish whiskey than the market standard.

The result? A smooth, complex pour that delivers notes of dark chocolate, coffee, and warm vanilla, layered over a base of real Irish whiskey and fresh cream. It’s bold, balanced, and dangerously easy to go back for more. Serve it over ice, in your coffee, or straight from the bottle—Two Stacks Double Irish Cream isn’t just another cream liqueur. It’s the upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

Best Non-Sparkling RTD: Cutwater Spirits – Spicy Bloody Mary

Cutwater Spirits Spicy Bloody Mary isn’t here to play it safe. Built on Cutwater’s award-winning vodka and blended with their house-made Bloody Mary mix, it’s bold, briny, and packs a slow-building heat that doesn’t ask for permission. Think ripe tomatoes, cracked black pepper, tangy pickle brine, and just enough chili spice to wake up whatever kind of night you had.

It’s ready-to-drink but tastes like it was made fresh—no shortcuts, no watery nonsense. Crack a can, add a stalk of celery if you're feeling fancy, or just drink it straight and call it breakfast.

Best Sparkling RTD + Best RTD: VMC Hibiscus

VMC’s Hibiscus Sparkling RTD is bright, floral, and just a little bit wild—a ready-to-drink cocktail that doesn’t need garnish to make an entrance. Lightly effervescent with a crisp, clean finish, it blends the tart punch of hibiscus with subtle citrus and a touch of natural sweetness that dances on the tongue.

Refreshing without trying too hard, it’s the kind of drink you crack open on a rooftop, a beach, or any place where the vibe is easy and the music’s just right. Bold in flavor, light on its feet—this is your new go-to when “just one” turns into two.

Best Non-Alcoholic RTD: Spiritless – Espresso Martini

Spiritless Espresso Martini is proof that you don’t need booze to bring the buzz. Crafted with the same bold flavor and silky texture as the classic, this zero-proof version delivers rich espresso, dark cocoa, and just a hint of vanilla—minus the alcohol, but not the attitude.

It’s smooth, complex, and perfectly balanced, built for late nights, early mornings, or anything in between. Whether you’re pacing yourself or skipping the spirits entirely, Spiritless serves the vibe with all the ritual and sophistication you’d expect—just without the proof.

Make sure to see the complete list of 2025 L.A. Spirits Awards Winners as well as winners of L.A. Spirits Awards’ infused beverage competition, High Spirits Awards..

The 2025 L.A. Spirits Awards Winners Announced

These Spirits Stole the Show—Find Out What Made the Cut

LA Spirits Awards 2025 Best in Show Winners