Tag: best spirits of 2026

Batch 22 American Aquavit has earned a Double Gold Medal at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the most prestigious blind-tasting spirits competitions in the world.

The recognition marks another significant milestone for Batch 22, following its 2026 Platinum Medal win at the L.A. Spirits Awards earlier this year. Together, these honors reinforce what bartenders, spirits enthusiasts, and adventurous drinkers are already discovering: Batch 22 is helping to redefine what [American] aquavit can be.

For a category that remains largely undiscovered by U.S. consumers, earning Double Gold at SFWSC is a powerful endorsement; and it further positions Batch 22 among the most respected aquavits (and spirits, for that matter) available today.

What Is the San Francisco World Spirits Competition?

Founded in 2000 and organized by The Tasting Alliance, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is widely regarded as the most influential spirits competition in the industry. Often referred to as the “Oscars of the spirits world,” SFWSC has been staged annually for over two decades and remains the oldest and largest blind spirits competition on the planet.

Each year, thousands of entries from around the globe are evaluated through a strict blind-tasting process. Judges (including master distillers, beverage directors, spirits educators, and industry experts) assess each spirit based purely on what’s in the glass, without seeing the brand, packaging, or price behind each entry.

This rigor is what gives SFWSC medals their credibility. Unlike marketing-driven awards, recognition here is earned on sensory merit alone, making the competition one of the spirits industry’s most trusted benchmarks for quality.

What Does Double Gold Mean?

A Gold Medal at SFWSC is a significant achievement. A Double Gold Medal signals something even rarer.

To earn Double Gold, every judge on the panel must independently award the spirit a Gold Medal during blind evaluation. In other words, the panel must reach unanimous agreement that the spirit is exceptional. There is no room for a split decision.

For consumers, a Double Gold designation is a powerful indicator that a spirit stood out among some of the finest examples in its category; evaluated entirely on flavor, aroma, balance, and craftsmanship.

From Platinum to Double Gold: A Breakthrough Year for Batch 22

The Double Gold win caps a defining stretch for the brand. Earlier this year, Batch 22 was awarded a Platinum Medal at the 2026 L.A. Spirits Awards, one of the highest honors in that competition.

Earning top recognition from two of the country’s most respected blind-tasting competitions within the same year is a meaningful signal, both of product quality and of growing industry confidence in the aquavit category as a whole.

As aquavit continues to gain traction in the United States, these awards validate the unique qualities that make Batch 22 distinctive: It’s a spirit deeply rooted in Nordic tradition, crafted for the way people drink today.

Why Batch 22 Is One of the Best Aquavits in America

Aquavit has long been Scandinavia’s signature spirit, traditionally flavored with caraway, dill, fennel, and other botanicals. While well-established throughout Northern Europe, aquavit has only recently begun gaining wider attention in the American craft spirits market, joining other emerging categories like mezcal, amaro, and soju in a broader cultural shift toward distinctive, heritage-driven spirits.

Batch 22 approaches aquavit with a distinctly modern perspective.

Crafted to be approachable, versatile, and cocktail-friendly, Batch 22 balances traditional botanical character with a clean, contemporary flavor profile that appeals to seasoned spirits enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Its smooth, sippable character works equally well neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails;  behind the bar, it’s earning a reputation among beverage professionals as a captivating alternative to gin or vodka in classic cocktails.

Explore some of our favorite aquavit cocktails (including the Viking Martini, Nordic Gold, and Valhalla Sunset) to discover why more bartenders are embracing aquavit as a versatile cocktail ingredient.

Why Awards Matter for Emerging Spirits Categories

For established categories like bourbon, tequila, or vodka, consumers can choose from hundreds of recognizable brands. For emerging categories like aquavit, awards play a more important role: They help consumers identify exceptional products with confidence and introduce them to spirits they might not otherwise have explored.

Recognition from respected blind-tasting competitions like SFWSC provides third-party validation and shines a spotlight on categories that have historically been overlooked in the U.S. market.

As interest in craft spirits and global drinking traditions continues to grow, aquavit is increasingly finding its place among adventurous consumers who seek something that goes beyond the familiar. Awards like Double Gold from the WSC help to accelerate that discovery.

The 2026 SFWSC Double Gold Medal represents more than a single accolade for Batch 22. It reflects the continued momentum of American aquavit and the growing recognition and acceptance from American consumers. 

Discover Batch 22: Award-Winning American Aquavit

As one of the most decorated aquavits of 2026, Batch 22 continues to demonstrate why this distinctive spirit deserves a place in modern cocktail culture.

Whether you’re already a fan of aquavit or exploring the category for the first time, there’s never been a better moment to discover what makes Batch 22 stand out.

Explore our cocktail recipes, learn more about our story, or shop Batch 22 American Aquavit today.