Complete Listing of Medal Winners: CLICK HERE
Oxford, Ohio – The 2024 U. S. Open Whiskey & Spirits Championship proudly announces the medal winners and Grand National Champions.
Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee won the U.S. Open Whiskey Championship’s Grand National Champion’s Trophy. Nearest Green took home 4 gold medals in the most competitive whiskey categories in the competition. Their Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey was a favorite among the judges. In the past 2 years, Nearest Green has finished in the Top 5 at the U.S. Open. Today, Nearest Green Distillery is the most successful Black-owned distillery in the world and now has a U.S. Open title. Two-time Grand National Champion, Moylan’s Distillery in Petaluma, California finished a close second after winning 2 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals.
In the U.S. Open Spirits Championship, the U.S. Open had a first, a tie for the Grand National Champion’s Trophy. Oxford Oaks Distillery in Oxford, North Carolina, and Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery in Dayton, Ohio, each won 3 gold medals. The North Carolina distiller won gold medals in the Vodka, Flavored Vodka, and Rum categories, while the Ohio distiller took home golds in the Gin, Barrel Aged Gin, and Specialty Spirits categories. 2024 is the first year that the U.S. Open awarded a Grand National Champion Trophy for best can and bottle cocktails. This year’s Grand National Champion is Safe House Distilling in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They took home 2 golds and a bronze medal for their can cocktails.
Judging in the U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Championships is blind; the judges know only the categories and do not know what they are tasting. The first round of judging was held in Oxford, Ohio at “The Barn”, while the finals were held in Niagara Falls, New York. The U.S. Open works with the Niagara College Teaching Distillery in Ontario. The final round of judges consisted of Niagara College’s Instructors and industry experts from the surrounding area.
Here are the top 5 Whiskey and Spirits Distilleries:
Top 5 Whiskey Distilleries
1. Nearest Green Distillery – Tennessee
2. Moylan’s Distilling – California
3. Weldon Mills Distillery – North Carolina
4. Cincinnati Distilling – Ohio
5. Knox Joseph Distillery – Ohio
5. Safe House Distilling – New Mexico
Top 5 Spirits Distilleries
1. Oxford Oaks Distillery – North Carolina
1. Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery – Ohio
3. Niagara College Teaching Distillery – Ontario
4. Kupu Spirits – Hawaii
4. Red Horse Distillery – Florida
4. New Realm Distilling – Virginia
Complete Listing of Medal Winners: CLICK HERE