Batch 22 American Aquavit is continuing to gain recognition as an award-winning aquavit, earning a 2026 Platinum Medal at the L.A. Spirits Awards, one of the most respected blind-tasting competitions in the country.
This recognition marks an important milestone not only for Batch 22, but for aquavit as a growing category in the United States. As more bartenders, restaurants, and consumers continue to explore spirits beyond traditional vodka, gin, and whiskey, aquavit is gaining meaningful traction nationwide, and this award is another clear sign of that momentum.
What the Platinum Medal Means
The Platinum Medal is one of the highest honors awarded by the L.A. Spirits Awards. Spirits are evaluated through a blind tasting process, meaning each entry is judged solely on its aroma, flavor, structure, and overall quality without any influence from brand, price, or packaging.
To receive Platinum, a spirit must earn unanimous Gold medal nominations from every judge on the panel during the principal tasting round. In other words, every judge independently identified Batch 22 as one of the finest spirits in its class.
This distinction places Batch 22 among the top spirits recognized in this year’s competition and serves as powerful third party validation of the quality in the bottle.
Why This Matters for Aquavit
This award is more than recognition for a single product. It is another sign that aquavit is continuing to gain visibility and popularity across the U.S.
Long considered a regional Scandinavian spirit, aquavit is now finding a growing place in modern cocktail culture. Bartenders are increasingly using it as a base in spirit forward classics, citrus driven cocktails, and food friendly drinks that benefit from its botanical complexity.
For Batch 22, the Platinum Medal helps to reinforce what we are already seeing in the market: increasing consumer curiosity, stronger on-premise adoption, and a broader national awareness of the category.
What Is Aquavit?
Aquavit is a traditional Scandinavian spirit typically distilled from grain or potatoes and flavored with botanicals such as caraway, dill, fennel, and other herbs.
For centuries, it has been poured across Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and other Nordic countries, often enjoyed alongside meals and celebrations. In recent years, aquavit has gained renewed interest internationally as bartenders and home enthusiasts look for new base spirits that offer more character than neutral vodka and a different profile than gin.
Its versatility has made it increasingly popular in both classic and modern cocktail formats.
How Batch 22 Helps Drive the Category Forward
Batch 22 represents a modern American expression of aquavit.
Created in Los Angeles, Batch 22 was developed as an American aquavit built for today’s cocktail culture while remaining rooted in the spirit’s Nordic origins. Its clean botanical profile and versatility make it ideal for cocktails like the Viking Martini, Nordic Gold, and Valhalla Sunset.
This is where the brand’s direction continues to resonate:
Ancient Spirit. Modern Pour.
A centuries old spirit is finding new life in the modern bar, and Batch 22 is helping lead that movement.
A Spirit Gaining National Recognition
While this recognition comes from Los Angeles, its significance reaches far beyond the region.
The Platinum Medal from the L.A. Spirits Awards is another signal that aquavit, and specifically Batch 22, is gaining traction nationwide. From restaurant placements and cocktail programs to growing consumer awareness online, the category is continuing to build momentum.
For a spirit once considered niche in the United States, this kind of recognition helps accelerate awareness, trial, and credibility.
The Platinum Medal is more than an award—it is another sign that aquavit’s moment is here.
