The results are in for the 2026 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition, celebrating the best of Canada’s independent distilling craft. The annual competition highlights excellence in artisan spirits, bitters and more, judged blind by a national panel of experts. Taking top honours as Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year is Macaloney’s Island Distillery for Cath-nah-aven, which also earned Best in Class in the Single Malt Whisky category.
Additional Best in Class winners include Sons of Vancouver Distillery for Realms of Rye – Release No. 02, Dark Fruit and Cacao; Ampersand Distilling Company for Ampersand Barrel Aged Gin; Compass Distillers for Gin Wild; Wild Life Distillery for Wild Life Vodka; and Pivot Spirits Craft Distillery for Pivot Spirits Spiced Rumination.
Business and community awards were also presented, with Raging Crow Distillery recognized for Community Engagement, Distillerie du Fjord earning Tasting Room Destination and Best Coast Distillers receiving the Product Innovation Award for its Agricole Rum.
