For the third year in a row, Heaven Hill Brands has been named the Most Awarded U.S. Distillery at the prestigious 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, earning approximately 88 medals across its portfolio, including 2 Platinum and 20 Double Gold. Nine Heaven Hill products also advanced to the “Best of Class” finals, and Mezcal Vago Espadín Joel Barriga and Mezcal Vago Elote are in the running for Triple Still awards, with winners to be announced at the Top Shelf 2026 Awards Gala on November 8 in San Francisco. This recognition reaffirms Heaven Hill’s position as a leader in American whiskey and agave spirits, with exceptional performance across a wide array of categories.

Best of Class Finalists:

Nine Heaven Hill products were named Best of Class Finalists, highlighting the company’s range and mastery of craft across styles:

• Best of Class Straight Bourbon Finalist: Square 6 High Rye Bourbon
• Best of Class Wheated Bourbon Finalists:
  • Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Traditional Barrel Series Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon
  • Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Series Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon
• Best of Class Single Barrel Bourbon – Up to 10 Years Finalist: Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10-Year-Old Bourbon
• Best of Class Single Barrel Bourbon – 11 Years & Older Finalist: Elijah Craig 15-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon
• Best of Class Reposado Tequila Finalist: Tequila Ocho Reposado
• Best of Class Añejo Tequila Finalist: Tequila Ocho Añejo
• Best of Class Mezcal Finalists:
  • Mezcal Vago Espadín Emigdio Jarquín
  • Mezcal Vago Espadín Joel Barriga

Platinum Medal Winners:

Two standout Heaven Hill products were awarded the rare Platinum Medal, an honor reserved for entries receiving Double Gold three years in a row:

• Mezcal Vago Elote
• Tequila Ocho Plata

The recognition follows top honors for Heaven Hill’s agave portfolio. Tequila Ocho and Mezcal Vago earned two Platinum Medals and four Best of Class finals berths, while Lunazul Tequila was named Spirits Brand of the Year by Shanken Market Watch Leaders and the brand was named a VinePair Next Wave Award finalist, to be announced on Oct. 22. The American Whiskey portfolio has also had a standout year with honors at the World Whiskies Awards America and Icons of Whisky, and comes as Elijah Craig 15-Year-Old Single Barrel, introduced in March, is a Best of Class finalist.

“Being named Most Awarded U.S. Distillery for a third straight year is a tribute to the quality of our brands and the commitment of our distillers, blenders, and teams behind every bottle,” said Kate Latts, Co-President, Heaven Hill Brands. “It’s especially meaningful to see our agave spirits stand alongside our whiskeys on this stage.”

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, founded in 2000, is one of the world’s most respected and rigorous judging events. Thousands of spirits were blind tasted by a panel of industry experts to ensure fair, unbiased evaluation based solely on quality. For more information, visit www.thetastingalliance.com.