Indiana distillery earns a top award at Heartland Whiskey Competition 

The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) announced the recipients of the Farmer-Distiller program of the 2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition on August 19. 

Starlight Distillery in Borden, Ind., claimed the prestigious Top Farmer-Distiller award – the competition’s most challenging honor, determined by the highest average score across three judged spirits from a single qualifying distillery. To qualify as a farmer-distiller, participants must both own a distillery and operate a working farm. 

“This was an impressive showing from corn farmers who own distilleries, showcasing their ability to produce top-tier products and develop high-quality grain for distilling – grain that benefits craft distillers across the board,” said Paul Hodgen, a farmer from Roachdale, Ind., and an Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) director. “ICMC, together with other state checkoff organizations, is proud to sponsor this competition to raise awareness of the many uses of corn.” 

The Farmer-Distiller: Best Bourbon resulted in a numerical tie, with two distilleries sharing the honor. Queens Reserve, a product of Wood Hat Spirits in Florence, Mo., tied Bloody Butcher Bourbon, which is produced by Pathfinder Farm Distillery in Boonsboro, Md. Both distilleries received awards. 

Farmer-Distiller: Beyond Bourbon goes to Tobacco Barn Distillery in Hollywood, Md., for its Maryland Bourbon Cream. Tobacco Barn previously earned Top Farmer-Distiller in 2023. 

Numerous corn farmers throughout the U.S. own and operate craft distilleries and submitted approximately 40 percent of this year’s entries, demonstrating the strong connection between agriculture and craft spirits production. 

“We are very pleased by the enthusiasm that farmer-distillers have shown for this competition along with other craft distillers,” stated Margie A.S. Lehrman, CEO of ACSA. “With corn state support we’re able to promote the craft spirits industry and the important role that agriculture has in producing excellent spirits. The communication and information sharing on farming practices specifically for distilling is of great value to our members.” 

West Fork Whiskey Co. of Westfield, Ind., earned two awards in the categories of Best Bourbon with its Hugh Hamer Rum Finished, and Bottled in Bond with its West Fork Whiskey Wheated. 

Incorporating corn in their mash bill 

The 2025 competition marked the fifth biennial Heartland Whiskey Competition, open to craft whiskeys incorporating corn in their mash bill. This blind-judging competition is generously sponsored by state corn marketing associations, and ACSA facilitates the judging process. 

Former ACSA Board President Chris Montana, owner of Du Nord Social Spirits in Minnesota, served as Judging Director for the fifth time. Judges are selected from the spirits industry by ACSA and chosen for their knowledge of craft whiskey. 

Judging was July 15 at the West Fork Whiskey Co. at their Hamilton County headquarters. 

In addition to ICMC, the following state corn marketing associations collectively sponsor the 2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition and state-level competitions in 21 states representing more than 75 percent of all U.S. craft distillers: Colorado Corn Promotion Council, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board, Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association, Ohio Corn Marketing Program, Pennsylvania Corn Growers Association, Tennessee Corn Promotion Board, Texas Corn Producers and Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board and Corn Growers Association. 

“It is important to recognize that craft distillers have sustained their businesses through trying times and continue to improve an already excellent product,” Hodgen explained. “Corn growers throughout the Heartland, through their participating state corn associations, support these entrepreneurs, many of whom are working farmers and all of whom are our customers.” 

The 2025 competition saw significant growth in the number of participating states and expansion of the farmer-distiller awards which increased overall participation by farmer-distillers. 

“Several factors contribute to what is today a more challenging period for craft distillers which are often small, family-run businesses. Our member-distillers are grateful to the support of the state corn associations through five cycles of this important competition,” Lehrman said. “We greatly appreciate their continued support and the fact they supply our members with the best corn product in the world.” 

Scoring and medal criteria 

The scoring of whiskeys, with judges hand-selected from the North American spirits community, was based on a 100-point system with 10 main categories of consideration worth 10 points each. The categories include Appearance, Aroma Intensity, Aroma Complexity, Palate Concentration, Palate Complexity, Body, Alcohol, Texture, Finish, and Pour for a Peer. 

Whiskeys were then assigned a medal based on the average score determined by the following benchmarks: 70-79 points were Bronze; 80-89 points were Silver; and 90-100 points were Gold. 

Best Farmer-Distiller was awarded to the top average score across three spirits among all judged whiskeys submitted by Famer-Distillers. Farmer-Distiller: Best Bourbon and Farmer-Distillery Beyond Bourbon were awarded to the spirits that scored highest in the bourbon category and all other categories respectively. 

ACSA is the only registered non-profit trade association representing the U.S. craft spirits industry. Its mission is to elevate and advocate for craft spirits producers. Membership in ACSA is open to anyone. ACSA is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the eligible voting members. Voting members must be independently licensed distillers annually removing from bond fewer than 750,000 proof gallons – the amount on which a Federal Excise Tax is paid. 

The 22 winners for the Heartland Whiskey Competition Best-in-State trophies will be announced by each participating state’s corn associations. Winners will also be listed online at americancraftspirits.org and heartlandwhiskeycompetition.com the along with all medalists from the competition.