The First Landing Cup celebrates the innovation, craftsmanship, and dedication of Virginia’s distilling community—raising a glass to the state that first gave birth to American Spirits.
Administered by the Virginia Distillers Association with support from the Virginia Spirits Board, this blind-judged competition recognizes the skill and artistry behind Virginia-made spirits. Designed in collaboration with the American Craft Spirits Association, the First Landing Cup sets the standard for excellence in distilling across the commonwealth.
A panel of expert judges from across the U.S. and abroad evaluates each spirit based on:
Scores are verified and finalized by consensus to ensure accuracy and fairness in every award decision.
Entries are rated using a 100-point scale, modeled after the American Craft Spirits Association’s judging system:
Top scorers advance to the Best in Class round, and the highest-rated spirit overall earns Best in Show honors.
Each year, distilleries from across the commonwealth submit their best work—from small-batch bourbons and bold ryes to innovative gins and ready to drink specialties—all competing for recognition in the First Landing Cup. Here are 2026’s top winners.
