SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
Celebrating its 15th year, Sip Magazine’s Best of the Northwest Spirits Competition honors the standout spirits and talented distillers raising the bar across our region.
For more than a decade, the competition has recognized the Northwest’s finest distilled beverages through an independent blind tasting judged by the industry’s most respected palates, helping distilleries earn recognition while guiding consumers to the region’s best bottles.
All submissions are blind-tasted by a panel of the Northwest’s top experts, including mixologists, beverage buyers, spirit writers, distributors and distillers. The top four in each category will be awarded Platinum, Double Gold, Gold, or Silver.
The results will be released on Dec 16, 2026 on sipmagazine.com, sent out digitally to our 55,000+ readers and shared across our social media outlets. Medalists will also be featured in the 2027 Annual Print Collector’s Edition.
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Deadline: Friday, November 20
Product Receiving Deadline: Friday, November 20
Judging Dates: Tuesday, December 8
Competition Results Announced: Wednesday, December 16
SUBMISSION DETAILS
Spirits Submission Form: CLICK HERE
Complete the online submission form for each spirit entered. Entries will not be judged until the submission form and payment has been received.
Entries must be commercially produced in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Montana or British Columbia.
REGISTER & PAY
REGISTER & PAY
Entry Fee: $80 per spirit through October 11 ($90 per spirits beginning October 12)
Register & Pay: CLICK HERE
*Credit card payments are accepted online. If paying by check please mail payment to:
Sip Magazine
Best of Spirits
1335 N. Northlake Way, Suite 101
Seattle, WA 98103
Please do not ship samples to this address
SUBMIT YOUR SAMPLES
Send one (1) sample of each submission for 750ml, two (2) samples for 500ml or less and liqueurs or 4 samples of Ready to Drink (single serve) or (1) 750ml.
SHIPPING
Carefully package all glass-format as shipping companies are not always gentle.
Please do not use packing peanuts or popcorn.
Ship all entries to the following address:
Seattle Wine Storage
Attn: Sip Magazine Best of Spirits
9401 Aurora Ave N., Seattle WA 98103
In person deliveries can be made to Seattle Wine Storage daily from 12-6pm (excluding holidays).
CATEGORIES
Amaro – Bitter or bittersweet herbal liqueurs traditionally enjoyed as aperitifs or digestifs.
Brandy, Eau de Vie & Grappa – Distilled spirits made from wine, grapes or other fruits, including brandy, eau de vie and grappa.
Gin – Traditional and contemporary unflavored gin that is not barrel-aged.
Gin – Specialty – Barrel-aged gin, flavored gin and other specialty gin expressions.
Liqueur – Dessert – Dessert-style liqueurs featuring flavors such as chocolate, coffee, cream, caramel, nuts and similar ingredients.
Liqueur – Fruit – Fruit-based or fruit-flavored liqueurs.
Liqueur – Herbal & Specialty – Herbal, floral, spice, botanical and other non-fruit liqueurs that do not fit within the Dessert or Fruit categories.
Ready-to-Drink / Ready-to-Serve (RTD/RTS) – Premixed cocktails packaged in single- or multi-serving containers and intended for immediate enjoyment with little or no preparation beyond chilling, pouring or serving over ice.
Rum – All styles of rum, including light, dark, aged, spiced and flavored expressions.
Specialty Spirits – Spirits and specialty products that do not fit another category, including agave spirits, aquavit, absinthe, vermouth, nocino, hopped spirits and other specialty or experimental expressions.
Vodka – Traditional unflavored vodka.
Vodka – Flavored – Vodka produced with added fruit, botanical, spice or other flavoring.
Whiskey – Bourbon – Bourbon whiskey produced in accordance with applicable legal standards.
Whiskey – Flavored – Whiskey produced with added fruit, spice, sweetener or other flavoring.
Whiskey – Rye – Whiskey produced primarily from rye grain and labeled or recognized as rye whiskey.
Whiskey – Single Malt – Single malt whiskey, including American single malt and international single malt styles.
Whiskey – Specialty – White whiskey, alternative-grain whiskey, experimental expressions and whiskey styles not represented by another listed category.
Whiskey – Wheat & Blended – Wheat whiskey and blended whiskey expressions.
