Heartland Whiskey Competition

This competition was created to help bring attention to the many and diverse uses of corn, and to lend a hand to an industry predominantly consisting of family-owned businesses: craft spirits. The most ubiquitous product in craft spirits is bourbon which by law must be made from 50 percent or more corn.

The 2025 competition year is the fifth biennial Heartland Whisky Competition which helps craft distilleries promote their products by virtue of the medals and trophies they receive. No other competition provides the unique opportunity to compete for “best of state” and other corn-based awards. Corn state sponsorship goes towards offsetting some of the judging, awards (trophies, medals, etc.) and marketing costs.

In 2025, the Top Farmer-Distiller program will expand to three awards, including one for the top scoring farmer-distilled bourbon and another for the top scoring farmer-distilled whiskey in all other non-bourbon categories.

All judging is conducted under the oversight of the American Craft Spirits Association.

Competition Grown in the Heartland

The American Craft Spirits Association sanctions and supervises the judging of the Heartland Whiskey Competition. The competition is held on a biennial basis for craft whiskey made with some amount of corn as an ingredient. Competition in several whiskey categories is open to craft distillers from all 50 states and U.S. territories. “Best of State” awards are given to those states with corn association sponsorship and a “Best of Show” award is given to the highest scoring whiskey from the “Best of State” awardees.

ACSA delineates entry criteria consistent with its stewardship of this and other spirits competitions. Judges are chosen from professionals in the food and beverage industry and all judging is done on a blind basis. All distillers receive detailed tasting notes from the competition for all spirits entered.

Farmer-Distiller Program Expands To Three Awards

The 2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition will give three awards under the Farmer-Distiller banner. Farmer-Distillers are distilleries whose owner(s) also operate a working farm. In addition to Top Farmer-Distiller the new awards are Farmer-Distiller: Best Bourbon; and, Farmer-Distiller Best Non-Bourbon Whiskey.

See the Farmer-Distiller page for more on these three awards.

Learn More

2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition

OFFICIAL AG MEDIA SPONSOR: MORNING AG CLIPS

Competition Grown in the Heartland

Farmer-Distiller Program Expands To Three Awards

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