The American Distilling Institute, founded in 2003 to promote the “burgeoning craft distilling renaissance,” announced Wednesday the 2011 winners in its annual judging of boutique spirits across two main categories: Whiskey and Fruit Spirits.
While even this researched drinker isn’t familiar with every winner on the list, there are a handful of Chicagoans we can rally behind — and take note of the unfamiliar next time we’re road-tripping to foreign distilleries.
Among the Chicago winners:
Koval American Oat, named Best in Category for un-aged whiskey
Koval Lion’s Pride Dark Millet, tied for Bronze in the whiskey “other” category
Angel’s Envy 10/10 (headquartered in Chicago, distilled in Kentucky), awarded bronze in the Merchant Bottler
American Distilling Institute’s full list of 2011 winners can be found here.