The American whiskey industry runs on corn. It’s certainly not the only grain used to make distilled spirits but it is used in most distilleries across the U.S. The American Craft Spirits Association’s (ACSA) has once again partnered with a collection of 21 corn marketing associations (full list below) from a across the country to create the Heartland Whiskey Competition. Now in its fourth year, this biennial, blind-tasting judging event is open to distilleries in all 50 states and territories.
Spirits categories were made up of flavored whiskey, ready to drink (RTD), blended whiskey, bottled in bond, bourbon whiskey, corn whiskey, four grain (corn plus 3), rye whiskey (corn mash), and straight whiskey. In addition to category competition (e.g., bourbon, moonshine, etc.), “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.
The 2023 competition saw significant growth in the number of participating states and entries which greatly increased competition for medals. Only 12 whiskeys were awarded a gold medal, while 74 received silver, and 47 bronze.
“It is important to recognize craft distillers, an industry that relies on the corn we grow, have sustained their businesses through trying times and continue to improve an already excellent product,” states Brent Hoerr, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council chairman. “Corn growers throughout the Heartland, through their participating state corn associations, support these entrepreneurs, many of whom are working farmers and all of whom are our customers.”
Scoring and Medal Criteria
The scoring of whiskeys, with judges hand-selected from the Missouri and Illinois spirits community, was based on a 100-point system with 10 main categories of consideration: Appearance (10 points), Aroma Intensity (10 points), Aroma Complexity (10 points), Palate Concentration (10 points), Palate Complexity (10 points), Body (10 points), Alcohol (10 points), Texture (10 points), Finish (10 points), and Pour for a Peer (10 points). Whiskeys were then assigned a medal based on the average score determined by the following benchmarks: 70-79 = Bronze; 80-89 = Silver; 90-100 = Gold. Best in State was awarded to the whiskey with the top score among all judged whiskeys from that state. Best Farmer-Distiller was awarded to the whiskey with the top score among all judged whiskeys submitted by Farmer-Distillers. The top scoring whiskeys were judged a final time in consideration of Best in Show distinction.
2023 Best of Show Awarded to Casey Jones Distillery
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Best of Show was captured by Casey Jones Distillery in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, for its Casey Jones Single Barrel Original 4 Grain Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon, which also earned the top score in the Four Grain Whiskey category. Their mash bill is made up of 26.8% bloody butcher corn, 26.5% yellow dent corn, 35% soft wheat and 12% malted barley. This small batch bourbon is bottled at 95 proof (47.5% ABV).
2023 Top Farmer-Distiller Awarded to Tobacco Barn Distillery
The Top Farmer-Distiller trophy was introduced for the 2023 competition. The Farmer-Distiller award goes to the highest scoring whiskey across all categories that is entered by a craft distillery operation owned by a farmer from a sponsored state.
The inaugural Farmer-Distiller award for the 2023 competition, was captured by Tobacco Barn Distillery of Hollywood, Maryland, for its Single Barrel Bourbon. Tobacco Barn is owned by Scott Sanders, Sean Coogan and Dan Dawson, the latter of whom operates the farm—family-owned for more than 100 years—where all of the corn for their winning bourbon is grown.
Tobacco Barn Distillery is one of only two farm distilleries in Maryland growing corn for their own distilling purposes. In their case, they are farming about 20 acres. The crops rotate between corn and soybeans with about five and a half acres of corn a year for the distillery. Overall, more than 90% of its ingredients from within 15 miles of the distillery. Tobacco Barn’s bourbon is 75% corn and 25% rye.
“Corn farmers, through their state corn associations, have supported the U.S. craft distilling industry through this important competition,” stated Margie A.S. Lehrman, C.E.O. of ACSA. “We greatly appreciate their continued support and the fact they supply our members with the best corn product in the world.”
And now, without further ado, let’s dive into the complete list of 2023 Heartland Whiskey Competition Awards winners. Click on any heading to sort the list.
2023 Heartland Whiskey Competition Award Winners
| Award – Medal | Distillery | Spirit | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Awards | |||
| Best of Show | Casey Jones Distillery | Casey Jones Single Barrel Original 4 Grain Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon | Kentucky |
| Top Farmer-Distiller | Tobacco Barn Distillery | Single Barrel Bourbon | Maryland |
| Best of Category Awards | |||
| Blended Whiskey | B.H. James Distillers | Burton James Whiskey Batch 2: Rookie Season: Batter Up | Kentucky |
| Bottled in Bond | Wood Hat Spirits | Bottled In Bond Rubenesque | Missouri |
| Bourbon | Northern Row Brewery & Distillery | Five Stories Single Barrel Bourbon | Ohio |
| Corn Whiskey | Old Scotland Road Distillery | Handlebar Handcrafted White Corn Whiskey | New York |
| Flavored Whiskey | Witness Distillery | Fayette County Fire Red Hot Cinnamon Whiskey | Illinois |
| Four Grain | Casey Jones Distillery | Casey Jones Single Barrel Original 4 Grain Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon | Kentucky |
| Light Whiskey | Star Union Spirits | Star Union Spirits American Corn Series Cabernet Sauvignon | Illinois |
| Read to Drink (RTD) | Boot Hill Distillery | Boot Hill Distillery Whiskey Cola | Kansas |
| Rye Whiskey | Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. | Whiskey Acres Straight Rye Whiskey | Illinois |
| Straight | Middle West Spirits | Middle West Spirits Straight Wheat Whiskey | Ohio |
| Best of State Awards | |||
| Best of State | Shelter Distilling | Single Barrel Blue Corn Bourbon | California |
| Best of State | Distillery 291 | 291 Colorado Bourbon Whiskey Small Batch | Colorado |
| Best of State | Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. | Whiskey Acres Straight Rye Whiskey | Illinois |
| Best of State | West Fork Whiskey Co. | Hugh Hamer Straight Bourbon Rum Finish Cask Strength | Indiana |
| Best of State | Lonely Oak Distillery | Steeple Ridge Single Barrel Bourbon | Iowa |
| Best of State | Boot Hill Distillery | Boot Hill Distillery Whiskey Cola | Kansas |
| Best of State | Casey Jones Distillery | Casey Jones Single Barrel Original 4 Grain Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon | Kentucky |
| Best of State | Tobacco Barn Distillery | Single Barrel Bourbon | Maryland |
| Best of State | Journeyman Distillery | Featherbone Bourbon Whiskey | Michigan |
| Best of State | 10,000 Drops Craft Distillers | Single Barrel Bourbon | Minnesota |
| Best of State | Wood Hat Spirits | Queens Reserve | Missouri |
| Best of State | Loup River Distilling | Nebraska Straight Bourbon | Nebraska |
| Best of State | Old Scotland Road Distillery | Handlebar Handcrafted White Corn Whiskey | New York |
| Best of State | Queen Spirits | Cook’s Mill Whiskey Straight Bourbon Whiskey | North Carolina |
| Best of State | Northern Row Brewery & Distillery | Five Stories Single Barrel Bourbon | Ohio |
| Best of State | Eight Oaks Farm Distillery | Veterans Cut Bottle in Bond | Pennsylvania |
| Best of State | Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Single Barrel Rye Whiskey Batch 002 | Tennessee |
| Best of State | 1845 Distilling Co. | Preemption Texas Straight Single Barrel #101 Bourbon | Texas |
| Best of State | Quartz Mountain Distillers | Private Reserve Bourbon | Washington |
| Best of State | Driftless Glen Distillery | Driftless Glen Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Wisconsin |
| MEDALISTS | |||
| Blended Whiskey | |||
| Silver | Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition – Batch 025 | Tennessee |
| Silver | MickBourbon, LLC – DBA: B.H. James Distillers | Burton James Uniquely American Whiskey – Rookie Season: Batter Up | Kentucky |
| Silver | MickBourbon, LLC – DBA: B.H. James Distillers | Burton James Uniquely American Whiskey – Rookie Season: Fireman | Kentucky |
| Silver | House of Veritasi | John Chester Ross & Sons | Missouri |
| Silver | StilL 630 Distillery | American Whiskey Port Finish | Missouri |
| Bronze | Wood Hat Spirits | All American | Missouri |
| Bronze | Working Bugs | Red Cedar Spirits Melting Pot Blended Whiskey | Michigan |
| Bottled in Bond | |||
| Silver | Wood Hat Spirits | Bottled In Bond Rubenesque | Missouri |
| Bronze | Eight Oaks Farm Distillery | Veterans Cut Bottled in Bond | Pennsylvania |
| Bronze | West Fork Whiskey Co. | West Fork Whiskey Co. High Corn Bottled In Bond | Indiana |
| Bronze | Jeptha Creed Distillery | Jeptha Creed Bottled-In-Bond Rye Heavy Bourbon | Kentucky |
| Bronze | The Family Jones | Distiller’s Private Collection Single Barrel Bottled In Bond Wheated Bourbon | Colorado |
| Bronze | Mile High Spirits | Fireside Bottled in Bond | Colorado |
| Bourbon Whiskey | |||
| Gold | Casey Jones Distillery | Casey Jones Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Kentucky |
| Gold | Wood Hat Spirits | Queens Reserve | Missouri |
| Gold | 10,000 Drops Craft Distillers | 10,000 Drops Single Barrel Bourbon | Minnesota |
| Gold | Distillery 291 | 291 Colorado Whiskey, Small Batch | Minnesota |
| Gold | Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company | Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company – One Cask | Kentucky |
| Gold | Garrison Brothers Distillery | Garrison Brothers Single Barrel Cask Strength Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Texas |
| Gold | 1845 Distilling Co | Preemption Texas Straight Single Barrel #101 Bourbon Whiskey | Texas |
| Gold | Five Stories Single Barrel Bourbon | Ohio | |
| Gold | Tobacco Barn Distillery | Tobacco Barn Distillery – Single Barrel Bourbon | Maryland |
| Silver | Driftless Glen Distillery | Driftless Glen Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Wisconsin |
| Silver | Blacksmith Artisanal Spirits | Hammered Rye Bourbon Whiskey | Missouri |
| Silver | Blacksmith Artisanal Spirits | Black Anvil Family Reserve Bourbon Whiskey | Missouri |
| Silver | Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey | Tennessee |
| Silver | Deerhammer Distilling Company | Deerhammer 4-Grain Bourbon | Colorado |
| Silver | Paradise North Distillery Co. | Old M28 Bourbon Whiskey | Wisconsin |
| Silver | Old Log Cabin Distillery | Old Log Cabin Bourbon | Washington |
| Silver | Casey Jones Distillery | Casey Jones Total Eclipse Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Kentucky |
| Silver | Rush Creek Distilling | 16% Rye Bourbon | Illinois |
| Silver | Wood Hat Spirits | Rubenesque Bourbon | Missouri |
| Silver | Wood Hat Spirits | Rubenesque Cask Strenght | Missouri |
| Silver | Wood Hat Spirits | Bloody Dapper | Missouri |
| Silver | Lonely Oak Distillery | Steeple Ridge Single Barrel Bourbon | Iowa |
| Silver | J. Carver Distillery | J. Carver 7 Year Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Minnesota |
| Silver | J. Carver Distillery | J. Carver Brickyard Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Minnesota |
| Silver | Starlight Distillery | Single Barrel Carl T. Bourbon Whiskey | Indiana |
| Silver | Quartz Mountain Distillers | Straight Bourbon | Washington |
| Silver | Quartz Mountain Distillers | Private Reserve Bourbon | Washington |
| Silver | Garrison Brothers Distillery | Garrison Brothers HoneyDew Straight Bourbon Whiskey Infused With Honey | Texas |
| Silver | Garrison Brothers Distillery | Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Texas |
| Silver | Whiskey Acres Distilling Co | Whiskey Acres 7 Year Bourbon | Illinois |
| Silver | Whiskey Acres Distilling Co | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon | Illinois |
| Silver | Branch & Barrel Distilling | Flagship Hand Selected Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon | Colorado |
| Silver | Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery | The Traditionalist Straight Bourbon Whiskey Classic | Minnesota |
| Silver | 1845 Distilling Co | Preemption Texas Straight Bourbon whiskey | Texas |
| Silver | 1845 Distilling Co | Preemption Texas Straight Single Barrel #84 Bourbon Whiskey | Texas |
| Silver | Dry County Distilleries | Herman Marshall Texas Bourbon | Texas |
| Silver | Weldon Mills Distillery | Soldier’s Cut Bourbon Whiskey | North Carolina |
| Silver | Weldon Mills Distillery | Weldon Mills Reserve Bourbon Whiskey | North Carolina |
| Silver | Weldon Mills Distillery | Weldon Mills Select Bourbon Whiskey | North Carolina |
| Silver | Weldon Mills Distillery | The All Malt Bourbon Whiskey | North Carolina |
| Silver | Queen Spirits | Cook’s Mill Whiskey Straight Bourbon Whiskey | North Carolina |
| Silver | StilL 630 Distillery | Missouri Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Missouri |
| Silver | Copper Run Distillery | Copper Run Bourbon Whiskey | Missouri |
| Silver | Stumpy’s Spirits Co | Old Monroe Single Barrel Bourbon (Maple Cask) | Illinois |
| Bronze | Shelter Distilling | Shelter Small Batch Blue Corn Bourbon | California |
| Bronze | BARGO 459 | 459 Small Batch Sherry Finish | Kentucky |
| Bronze | Blacksmith Artisanal Spirits | Black Anvil Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey | Missouri |
| Bronze | Iron Fish Distillery | 1887 Grand Bourbon Michigan | Michigan |
| Bronze | Paradise North Distillery Co. | Ten Mile Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Wisconsin |
| Bronze | Sisterdale Distilling Co | Sisterdale High Rye Bourbon Whiskey | Texas |
| Bronze | Boot Hill Distillery | Boot Hill Distillery Bourbon Whiskey | Kansas |
| Bronze | Rush Creek Distilling | 25% Wheat Bourbon | Illinois |
| Bronze | J. Carver Distillery | J. Carver Brickyard Straight Bourbon Whiskey Cask Strength | Minnesota |
| Bronze | Distillery 291 | 291 Colorado Bourbon Whiskey, Barrel Proof Single Barrel | Colorado |
| Bronze | West Fork Whiskey Co. | West Fork Whiskey Co. Wheated Straight Bourbon Small Batch | Indiana |
| Bronze | Leather & Oak Spirits | Leather & Oak Spirits Bourbon Whiskey | Ohio |
| Bronze | Loup River Distilling | Nebraska Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Nebraska |
| Bronze | Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery | The Traditionalist Straight Bourbon Whiskey- High Rye | Minnesota |
| Bronze | WITNESS Distillery | Caskaskia Straight Bourbon Whiskey | llinois |
| Bronze | Whistling Hare Distillery Co | Blue Corn Bourbon Whisky-Single Barrel | Colorado |
| Bronze | Jettywave Distillery | Jetty Barrel Bourbon | California |
| Bronze | Journeyman Distillery | Featherbone Bourbon Whiskey | Michigan |
| Bronze | Stumpy’s Spirits Co | Old Monroe Single Barrel Bourbon | Illinois |
| Corn Whiskey | |||
| Silver | Wood Hat Spirits | Bloody Butcher | Missouri |
| Silver | Wood Hat Spirits | Ol’ Blue | Missouri |
| Silver | Wood Hat Spirits | WHO # 8 Whiskey | Missouri |
| Silver | Wood Hat Spirits | Blue Corn Whiskey | Missouri |
| Silver | Old Scotland Road Distillery | Handlebar Handcrafted White Corn Whiskey | New York |
| Silver | MickBourbon, LLC – DBA: B.H. | James Distillers Kentucky Grit Corn Whiskey – Unaged | Kentucky |
| Silver | WITNESS Distillery | Caskaskia Straight Corn Whiskey | Illinois |
| Silver | Obbink Distilling | Moxe | Minnesota |
| Bronze | RLB Distillery Codba Rotten Little Bastard Distillery | Saint Helena “Shine | South Carolina |
| Bronze | Wood Hat Spirits | WHB # 43 Whiskey | Missouri |
| Bronze | Obbink Distilling | Forte | Minnesota |
| Flavored Whiskey | |||
| Gold | WITNESS Distillery | Fayette County Fire Red Hot Cinnamon Whiskey | Illinois |
| Silver | Ole Smoky Distillery | Salty Caramel Whiskey | Tennessee |
| Silver | Ole Smoky Distillery. Apple Pie Moonshine Tennessee Silver | Ole Smoky Distillery. Apple Pie Moonshine Tennessee Silver | Tennessee |
| Bronze | Weldon Mills Distillery Weldon Orchards Peach Elderflower Whiskey North Carolina Bronze | Weldon Orchards Peach Elderflower Whiskey | North Carolina |
| Four Grain | |||
| Silver | Casey Jones Distillery | Casey Jones Single Barrel Original Four Grain Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Kentucky |
| Silver | 1845 Distilling Co | Preemption Texas Straight Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey | Texas |
| Silver | WITNESS Distillery | Caskaskia 5-Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Illinois |
| Silver | Black Button Distilling | Cask Strength Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey | New York |
| Bronze | Jeptha Creed Distillery | Jeptha Creed Straight 4-Grain Bourbon | Kentucky |
| Bronze | Quartz Mountain Distillers | Four Grain Bourbon | Washington |
| Bronze | Quartz Mountain Distillers | Maple Syrup Cask Aged Whiskey | Washington |
| Bronze | Quartz Mountain Distillers | Quartz Mountain Distillers Cask Strength Bourbon Washington Bronze | Washington |
| Bronze | 1845 Distilling Co | Preemption Texas Straight Four Grain Single Caskaskia 5-Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Texas |
| Bronze | Middle West Spirits | Middle West Spirits Straight Bourbon | Ohio |
| Light Whiskey | |||
| Silver | Copper Sky Distillery | Copper Sky Distillery Copper Sky Light Whiskey | Colorado |
| Silver | Star Union Spirits | Star Union Spirits American Corn Series Apple | Illinois |
| Silver | Star Union Spirits | Star Union Spirits Star Union Spirits American Corn Series Cherry Illinois Silver | Illinois |
| Silver | Star Union Spirits | Star Union Spirits American Corn Series Cabernet Sauvignon | Illinois |
| Bronze | Star Union Spirits | Star Union Spirits 75-25 | Illinois |
| RTD | |||
| Silver | Boot Hill Distillery | Boot Hill Distillery Whiskey Cola | Kansas |
| Rye Whiskey | |||
| Gold | Whiskey Acres Distilling Co | Whiskey Acres Straight Rye Whiskey | Illinois |
| Gold | Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest Uncut & Unfiltered Straight Rye Whiskey – Batch 005 | Tennessee |
| Silver | Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Rye Whiskey – Batch 002 | Tennessee |
| Silver | Lonely Oak Distillery | Steeple Ridge Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey | Iowa |
| Silver | Lonely Oak Distillery | Steeple Ridge Cask Strength Rye | Iowa |
| Silver | J. Carver Distillery | J. Carver Straight Rye Whiskey | Minnesota |
| Silver | Meinelschmidt Distillery | Maryland Rye Whiskey | Maryland |
| Silver | Whiskey Acres Distilling Co | Whiskey Acres Bottled-in-Bond Rye | Illinois |
| Silver | Middle West Spirits | Middle West Spirits Straight Rye Whiskey | Ohio |
| Bronze | Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey | Tennessee |
| Bronze | Old Scotland Road Distillery | Handlebar Handcrafted White Rye | New York |
| Bronze | Whistling Hare Distillery Co | Limited Edition Rye Whisky | Colorado |
| Straight Whiskey | |||
| Gold | Middle West Spirits | Middle West Spirits Straight Wheat Whiskey | Ohio |
| Silver | Shelter Distilling | Shelter Single Barrel Blue Corn Bourbon | California |
| Silver | Boot Hill Distillery | Boot Hill Distillery Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Kansas |
| Silver | West Fork Whiskey Co. | Hugh Hamer Straight Bourbon Rum Finish Cask Strength | Indiana |
| Silver | Garrison Brothers Distillery | Garrison Brothers Small Batch Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Texas |
| Silver | Middle West Spirits | Middle West Spirits Sherry Finished Bourbon | Ohio |
| Bronze | Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey | Tennessee |
| Bronze | Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey | Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey – Batch 061 | Tennessee |
| Bronze | Working Bugs | Red Cedar Spirits Professor Bourbon | Michigan |
| Bronze | J. Carver Distillery | J. Carver Straight Wheat Whiskey | Minnesota |
| Bronze | J. Carver Distillery | J. Carver Wrath of Khanh Whiskey | Minnesota |
| Bronze | Desert Diamond Distillery Inc. | Gold Miner Straight Whiskey | Arizona |
| Bronze | Copper Run Distillery | Copper Run Distillery Small Batch Whiskey | Missouri |
Corn Growers from 18 States
The following state corn marketing associations collectively sponsor the 2023 Heartland Whiskey Competition and state-level competitions in 21 states representing more than 76% of all U.S. craft distillers.
The American Craft Spirits Association’s (ACSA) is the only national registered non-profit trade association representing the U.S. craft spirits industry. Its mission is to elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers, and membership in ACSA is open to anyone. ACSA is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the eligible voting members of the Association. Voting members must be independent, licensed distillers (DSPs) annually removing fewer than 750,000 proof gallons from bond (the amount on which a Federal Excise Tax is paid).
View all U.S. Distilleries.
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