Santa Rosa, CA (November 3, 2025) – Winners have been announced in the 2025 Sunset International Spirits Competition. This year’s winner is a stellar entry from a Chilean producer. Tipico Pisco (www.tipicopisco.com) wowed judges with its “great aromatics”; “balanced salinity and mouthfeel”; and its notable “grape character.”
Pisco is an unaged grape brandy, produced in Peru and Chile from fermented grape juice. It’s a colorless, high-proof spirit with herbal and earthy notes, often compared to tequila or grappa. The production process and specific regulations differ between the two countries, with Peruvian pisco being more restrictive, while Chilean pisco allows for greater flexibility in ingredients and aging.
“There are five different grape types that can be used to make Chilean pisco,” says company founder and President Carlos Puga. “Tipico Pisco derives its particular delicious taste and smoothness from the unique (and secret — shhhh) proportion of the three Moscatel grapes it uses in its production process: Rosada, Amarilla and Alejandría. On top of being gluten-free and grain-free, Tipico is additive-free as well, of course.”
Other medal winners included products from across the globe, including Denmark, Singapore, the Channel Islands and multiple U.S. states. “I continue to be impressed by the wide breadth of competitors, year after year,” says Debra Del Fiorentino, owner of Wine Competitions Management at Production, which oversees the Sunset International Spirits Competition. “As word gets out about this prestigious event, we have more interest from around the world. It’s a testament to the reputation Sunset has established as a style leader and lifestyle brand.”
Now in its seventh year, the Sunset International Spirits Competition is open to commercial distillers of all sizes, with judging categories based on spirit type, production techniques and price points. Winning producers will be featured in a Spring release of a Spirits Special non-print, digital edition with supporting microsite. Promotions for Spirits Award Special Issue will be placed in sunset.com, Sunset eNewsletters and Sunset social sites. The edition will be promoted and available for 12 months or until the 2026 Spirit Awards winners are announced.
Click Here for a full list of winners.
2025 Sunset International Spirits Competition Best of Class Awards
Best of the Best, Best Pisco
Tipico Pisco Blanco Reservado (BOC, GG, 98 pts.)
Judges: “Great aromatics”; “balanced salinity and mouthfeel”; “grape character”
Best Vodka
NEFT Rye Vodka (BOC, GG, 95)
Judges: “Silky body”; “clean finish”; “grassy”; “well-balanced and smooth”
Best Gin
High Chaparral Mountain Gin (BOC, G, 92)
Judges: “Broad palate”; “great martini gin”
Best Gin (Infused)
West End Gin Rose Ann Edition (BOC, G, 93)
Judges: “Lovely profile”; “great for creative cocktails”; “bright and fresh”; “beautiful pink lady”
Best Tequila, Best Añejo
1800 Guachimonton Añejo Tequila (BOC, GG, 99)
Judges: “Robust”; “dried orange peel”; “aromatic”
Best Extra Añejo
1800 Milenio Extra-Aged Añejo (BOC, GG, 96)
Judges: “Cigar-like”; “savory”; “great mouthfeel”; “Cognac”
Best Blanco
Familia Camarena Tequila Silver/Plato (BOC, GG, 97)
Judges: “Elegant minerality”; “white tea”; “good depth and smokey”
Best Cristalino
1800 Cristalino Blanco (BOC, GG, 98)
Judges: “Clean”; “delicious, bright fruity character”
Best Reposado
Copal Reposado Tequila (BOC, GG, 97)
Judges: “Orange peel”; “balanced, well-integrated”; “light toast”; “smooth”
Best Rum
Wanderum Dark Gold (BOC, GG, 97)
Judges: “Classic burnt sugar”; “roasted sugar cane with rhubarb nuance”
Best Whiskey, Best American Whiskey
Hirsch Cask Strength Single Barrel American Whiskey, 10 Years (BOC, GG, 98)
Judges: “Delightful”; “light tobacco”; “caramel”; “nicely balanced”; “delicate nose”; “leather”; “tamed heat”
Best Bourbon
Angel’s Envy Triple Oak (BOC, GG, 98)
Judges: “Beautiful color”; “toasty with honey”; “white stone fruit”
Best Single Malt Whiskey
Stranahan’s Blue Peak Ultra Premium (BOC, GG, 98)
Judges: “Easy to drink”; “fruity, caramel”; “nice creamy finish with a kiss of light oak”
Best Rye Whiskey
Old Potrero California Cellar Series #04 Almanac Beer Finish (BOC, GG, 98) Judges: “Rich, complete”; “buttery nose”; “vanilla and molasses”
Best Aperitif
Pavari 17 Mediterranean Aperitif (BOC, G, 93) Non-Alc
Judges: “Amazing nose of a spice box”; “complex flavor”; “texture is smooth”; “Very well done!”
Best Liqueur
Old Log Cabin Coffee Liqueur (BOC, G, 94)
Judges: “Roasted toffee”; “dark roast coffee”; “Brazil nuts”
Best Ready to Drink (tie)
Napa Cru Yuzu Lemon Drop (BOC, GG, 96) vodka-based
Judges: “Very refreshing and crisp”; “lemon lime”; “yuzu/lemon pops at the end”; “very well-balanced”
Best Ready to Drink (tie)
Proverbial Spirits Two to Tango (BOC, GG, 96) gin-based
Judges: “Good balance”; “pink grapefruit”; “quinine bitters”
Best Hard Seltzer
High Noon Vodka Black Cherry Seltzer (BOC, G, 93)
Judges: “Heavy black cherry nose”; “true cherry flavor”
Best Non-Alch
Pavari Spritz RTD (BOC, G, 94)
Judges: “Complex and very refreshing”
About the Sunset International Spirits Competition
SUNSET Magazine is the leading media brand of the Western lifestyle. The Sunset International Spirits Competition makes its winning spirits part of the most influential spirit program in the country. With the number of subscribers, demographic of the Sunset Magazine reader base and number of social media followers this competition is a must-enter for all spirit producers desiring exposure to a perfect audience.
The esteemed judging panels represent large volume buyers, influential media, successful distillers and other professionals from the spirits category.
Winning producers will be featured in a Spring release of a Spirits Special non-print, digital edition with supporting microsite. Promotions for Spirits Award Special Issue will be placed in sunset.com, Sunset eNewsletters and Sunset social sites. The edition will be promoted and available for 12 months or until the 2026 Spirit Awards winners are announced.
To learn more about the Sunset International Spirits Competition, visit their website at sunsetcompetitions.com.
