2025 First Landing Cup Medalists

Celebrating Excellence

The 2025 First Landing Cup showcased the very best in Virginia’s spirits, honoring the creativity, craftsmanship, and dedication that make our local distillers shine. From smooth, small-batch whiskeys to inventive flavored spirits, this year’s winners represent the pinnacle of quality and innovation in the industry.

Explore the exceptional lineup of distillers who impressed our judges and raised the bar for Virginia-made spirits. Each winner reflects a commitment to excellence and a passion for crafting flavors that stand out—making this year’s First Landing Cup one to remember.

best in class

Best of Show & Best in Class Whiskey

Virginia Distillery Company - Courage & Conviction Signature Malt

Best in Class Brandy

Old House Vineyards - Estate Brandy XO

Best in Class Rum

Three Crosses Distilling Company - Crossed Rifles Spiced Rum

Best in Class Vodka

MurLarkey Distilled Spirits - Papi's Salsa Borracha Vodka

Best in Class Specialty Spirit

Mt. Defiance Distillery - Mt. Defiance Absinthe Supérieure

Best in Class Gin

Highlands Distilling Company - Dragon Navy Strength Gin

Gold Medalists

CAISEAL BEER & SPIRITS CO.

Caiseal Peated American Single Malt Whiskey

CATOCTIN CREEK

Catoctin Creek Hot Honey Rye

HIGHLANDS DISTILLING CO.

Dragon Navy Strength Gin

KO DISTILLING

KO Distiller’s Reserve Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

KO DISTILLING

KO Distiller’s Reserve Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey

MT. DEFIANCE DISTILLERY

Mt. Defiance Absinthe Supérieure

MURLARKEY DISTILLED SPIRITS

Papi’s Salsa Borracha Vodka

MURLARKEY DISTILLED SPIRITS

MurLarkey ImaGination Gin

OLD HOUSE VINEYARDS

Estate Brandy XO

RAGGED BRANCH DISTILLERY

Ragged Branch Rye Whiskey

THREE CROSSES DISTILLING CO.

Crossed Rifles Spiced Rum

VIRAGO SPIRITS

Modern Gin with Oolong Tea

VIRGINIA DISTILLERY COMPANY

Courage & Conviction Signature Malt

Silver Medalists

BELMONT FARM DISTILLERY

Kopper Kettle Rye Whiskey Bonded

BELMONT FARM DISTILLERY

Special Reserve Virginia Whiskey

BELMONT FARM DISTILLERY

Kopper Kettle Whiskey Bonded

BELMONT FARM DISTILLERY

Kopper Kettle Golden Gin

BELMONT FARM DISTILLERY

Kopper Kettle Bourbon Whiskey

BELMONT FARM DISTILLERY

Kopper Kettle Vodka

CAISEAL BEER & SPIRITS CO.

Caiseal Vintage Gin

CAISEAL BEER & SPIRITS CO.

Caiseal Virginia Straight Bourbon

CAISEAL BEER & SPIRITS CO.

Caiseal Vodka

CAISEAL BEER & SPIRITS CO.

Caiseal Gin

CATOCTIN CREEK

Rabble Rouser BIB Rye Whisky

CATOCTIN CREEK

Roundstone Rye Cask Proof

COPPER FOX DISTILLERY

10 Squared Vodka

COPPER FOX DISTILLERY

Copper Fox Dawson’s Reserve Bourbon

DEVILS BACKBONE DISTILLING CO.

Fox Field Gin

HIGHLANDS DISTILLING CO.

Revelations Virginia Smoked Whisky

HIGHLANDS DISTILLING CO.

War Horn Virginia Rye Whisky

HILL TOP DISTILLERY

Gooch Hooch Lemon Drop Moonshine

IRONCLAD DISTILLERY

Betrayal Straight Rye

IRONCLAD DISTILLERY

Bottled In Bond Bourbon

IRONCLAD DISTILLERY

Old Kernel Straight Bourbon

JH BARDS SPIRIT CO.

Skipper’s Select Toasted Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

KARAHIYO SPIRITS

KARAHIYO Espresso Martini

KO DISTILLING

Battle Standard 142 Gin

KO DISTILLING

Bare Knuckle American White Whiskey

LAIRD & COMPANY

Laird’s Tenth Generation Apple Brandy

LAIRD & COMPANY

Laird’s Rare 12 Years Apple Brandy

LOST WHISKEY CLUB

Lost Whiskey Club Single Barrel High Rye Straight Bourbon

MT. DEFIANCE DISTILLERY

Mt. Defiance Gin Nouveau

MURLARKEY DISTILLED SPIRITS

MurLarkey Divine Clarity Vodka

RAGGED BRANCH DISTILLERY

Ragged Branch Cowboy Cut Bourbon

RESERVOIR DISTILLERY

Reservoir Distillery Rye

RESERVOIR DISTILLERY

Reservoir Distillery Wheat

RESERVOIR DISTILLERY

Reservoir Distillery Hunter and Scott Bourbon

SPIRIT LAB DISTILLING

Aass Single Malt Whiskey

SPIRIT LAB DISTILLING

Esprit Joyeux Virginia Brandy

SPRINGFIELD DISTILLERY

1799

SPRINGFIELD DISTILLERY

Springfield Straight Bourbon

THREE CROSSES DISTILLING

10-42 End of Watch

TRIAL & ERROR

Ginger Liqueur

TRIAL & ERROR

Retake

VIRAGO SPIRITS

Virago 151 ‘High Proof’ Rum

VIRAGO SPIRITS

Virago Premium White Rum

VIRGINIA BEACH DISTILLING

Beach Vodka

VIRGINIA DISTILLERY COMPANY

VDC Cabernet Cask Select

VITAE SPIRITS DISTILLERY

Golden Rum

WATERMAN SPIRITS

Waterman Spirits Orange Liqueur

WATERMAN SPIRITS

Waterman Spirits Organic Vodka

Bronze Medalists

AXE HANDLE DISTILLING

Smoothbore Bottled-in-Bond

AXE HANDLE DISTILLING

Marine Strength Gin

BELMONT FARM DISTILLERY

Kopper Kettle Butterscotch Whiskey

BELMONT FARM DISTILLERY

Kopper Kettle Single Malt Whiskey

BELMONT FARM DISTILLERY

Belmont Virginia Lightning Corn Whiskey

BELMONT FARM DISTILLERY

Kopper Kettle Spiced Rum

BELMONT FARM DISTILLERY

Kopper Kettle Apple Whiskey

BLUE SHEPHERD SPIRITS

Blue Shepherd Agave

BLUE SKY DISTILLERY

Blackbeard’s Point Rum

BLUE SKY DISTILLERY

Flying Dragon Spiced Rum

CAISEAL BEER & SPIRITS CO.

Caiseal Single Malt Whiskey

CHESAPEAKE BAY DISTILLERY

Chic’s Beach Rum

COPPER FOX DISTILLERY

Copper Fox Peachwood American Single Malt

COPPER FOX DISTILLERY

Copper Fox Chestnut American Whisky

COPPER FOX DISTILLERY

Copper Fox Port Barrel Finished Rye Whisky

DEVILS BACKBONE DISTILLING CO.

Raptor Dark Rum

HIGHLANDS DISTILLING COMPANY

CAVU

HILL TOP DISTILLERY

Hill Top Straight Bourbon Barrel Proof

JH BARDS SPIRIT CO.

Toasted Barrel Single Malt Whiskey

JH BARDS SPIRIT CO.

Maple Whiskey

KARAHIYO

KARAHIYO Bourbon Whiskey Espresso Martini

LINCOLN RIDGE

Lincoln Ridge Premium Vodka

MT. DEFIANCE DISTILLERY

Mt. Defiance Cassis Liqueur

MT. DEFIANCE DISTILLERY

Mt. Defiance Amaretto Liqueur

MURLARKEY DISTILLED SPIRITS

MurLarkey Three Tea Whiskey

OLD HOUSE VINEYARDS

Culpeper’s Own

R D WILHELM

Reverend Spirits Gin

RAGGED BRANCH DISTILLERY

Ragged Branch Signature Bourbon

RESERVOIR DISTILLERY

Reservoir Distillery Hazmat Bourbon

SPIRIT LAB DISTILLING

Virginia Dram

SPIRIT LAB DISTILLING

Old Tom Gin

SPRINGFIELD DISTILLERY

Scratch Brown Sugar Cinnamon Whiskey

SPRINGFIELD DISTILLERY

Scratch Blackberry Whiskey

VIRAGO SPIRITS

Reverie Rum, Bottled-in-Bond

VIRAGO SPIRITS

Coffee Liqueur

VIRGINIA DISTILLERY COMPANY

VDC Port Cask Reserve

VIRGINIA DISTILLERY COMPANY

VDC Blue Ridge Toasted Oak Finish

VITAE SPIRITS DISTILLERY

Modern Gin

VITAE SPIRITS DISTILLERY

Barrel Aged Rum

WATERMAN SPIRITS

Waterman Spirits Perfect Crush

2025 First Landing Cup Judges

Beth Dixon

Founder, Salt and Acid

Caitlin Bartlemay

Master Distiller, Clear Creek Distillery

Chris Schmid

Director of New Business Development, Prestige-Ledroit

Clay Smith

Distillery Operations Manager, Moonshine University

Denaya Jones

Founder, Deestilled; General Manager, Seelbach’s

Dave Schmier

Founder, Proof & Wood Ventures

Eric Kozlik

Principal Consultant, Direct Fire Consulting

Erlinda Doherty

Alcohol Industry Consultant; Global Ambassador for Mezcal

Henry Hill Jr.

Lead Bartender/Mixologist, Hotel Roanoke

Holly Abner

Brand Manager, Winebow

Kari Rushing

Chef & Co-Owner, Vault & Cellar

Lew Bryson

Author & Spirits Writer; Host, Seen Through A Glass Podcast

Lisa Wicker

Distilling Consultant

Mariève Isabel

Director, Jessica Harnois Wine Club; Wine & Spirits Writer

Maggie Campbell

CEO, American Cane

Maggie Kimberl

Content Editor, American Whiskey Magazine; Co-Chair, World Whiskies Awards

Monica Wolf

CEO, The Blending House

Nick Crutchfield

Founder, Caskproof, LLC

Paul Hletko

Founder & Distiller, FEW Spirits

Phil Morgan

Design and Strategy Leader; Distillery Consultant

Sailor Guevara

Spirits Specialist, Journalist, and Podcast Host