The American craft distilling industry continued its unprecedented expansion over 2018. In 2005, when arguably the American craft distilling movement began, there were less than 100 active craft distillers. Fast forward little more than a decade; by year end 2018, the number of craft distillers in the US was over 1,800. California led the way with 156 distilleries, followed by New York state with 134, Washington state with 122, Texas with 108 and Colorado with 99. According to the American Crafts Spirits Association (ACSA), 32.2% of the craft distilleries are in the western US, 19.4% are in the Midwest, 19% are in the Northeast and 29.5% are in the south.
Craft distillers are defined by the ACSA as a producer who distills a maximum of 750,000 proof gallons, and which removes from bond no more than 52,576 9-liter cases of spirits. Large craft producers represent 1.6% of the craft distilling industry and make 57.2% of American craft spirits. Medium sized producers represent 6.1% of the industry and generate 29.7% of spirits. The small producers represent 92.3% of the craft distilling community but make just 13% of the craft spirits produced.
Collectively, the craft spirits industry sold 7.2 million cases in 2017, up 23.7% in volume and 29.9% in revenue over 2016. The total sales reached $3.7 billion, resulting in a market share of 3.2% by volume and 4.6% by value in 2017. Since 2012, the craft distilling industry’s market share has roughly tripled.
Recently, the American Distilling Institute (ADI), the trade association for the craft distilling industry, released the 2019 winners of the Craft Spirits Award. If you’re looking for the up and coming spirits of the future, the list of the ADI’s annual list of spirits, which were picked as Best of Class, Best of Category or which were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals, is an excellent place to start.
Below is a list of the spirits that were Chosen Best of Class in their respective categories:
Best of Class – Certified Craft Distilled Spirits
Brandy, Bethel Road Distillery, Grappa di Moscato
Gin, The Heart Distillery, Gin
International Gin, Cotswolds Distillery, Dry Gin
Ready to drink, Chicago Distilling Company, Finn’s Gin & Tonic
Rum, Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries, Rum 105
Vodka, Solar Spirits, Devil’s Share American Whiskey
Best of Class – Certified Craft Blended Spirits
International Agave Spirit, Casa TreAmigos, Santo Cuviso Bacanora Blanco
International Brandy, NAUD, VS Cognac
Liqueur, Skip Rock Distillers, Raspberry Liqueur
International Liqueur, Casa D’Aristi, Kalani Coconut Liqueur
International Rum, Virago Spirits, Four-Port, Rum
International Specialty Spirit, Padro & Co, Rojo Amargo Vermouth
Whiskey, Seven Three Distilling, Irish Channel Whiskey
In total there were 786 entries, both domestic and international, that were singled out from the several thousand spirits submitted, which medaled or received a Best in Category Award. For a complete list of all of the awards go to the website of the American Distilling Institute 2019 Craft Spirits Awards.
Bottoms Up!
