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The Inaugural First Landing Cup: Celebrating Virginia's Spirit Distilling

On June 3, 2025, the Virginia Distillers Association, in collaboration with the Virginia Spirits Board, proudly presented the results of the first-ever First Landing Cup. This statewide event, which honors the finest spirits produced in Virginia, aimed to bring together distillers and enthusiasts in a celebration of craftsmanship and quality.

Named after the historic landing in 1607 at Cape Henry, the birthplace of American distilling, the First Landing Cup distinguishes itself as a prestigious event that attracted a total of 108 entries from across the state. The competition's panel comprised of 21 highly regarded spirits experts who conducted blind tastings to ensure impartiality in judging.

Top Honors and Winners

Leading the pack this year was Virginia Distillery Company's Courage & Conviction Signature Malt, which was awarded Best in Show. This accolade indicates it received the highest score across all categories, showcasing not just the talent of its distillers but also the potential of Virginia spirits on a national landscape.

Additionally, five other distilleries received Best in Class awards, such as:

• - Highlands Distilling Company for their Dragon Navy Strength Gin;
• - Mt. Defiance Distillery for their Mt. Defiance Absinthe Supérieure;
• - MurLarkey Distilled Spirits for their Papi's Salsa Borracha Vodka;
• - Old House Vineyards for Estate Brandy XO; and
• - Three Crosses Distilling Company for Crossed Rifles Spiced Rum.

The competition also honored numerous other spirits with gold, silver, and bronze medals reflecting the high standards set across the board. In total, the event presented 13 gold, 48 silver, and 40 bronze medals, emphasizing the rich diversity and quality present in Virginia's distilling scene.

A Journey of Taste: Virginia Spirits Passport Gold Medal Trail

To enrich the experience of this celebration, the Virginia Spirits Board has initiated the Virginia Spirits Passport Gold Medal Trail. This self-guided adventure will allow visitors to explore the award-winning distilleries recognized at the First Landing Cup. Participants can engage with the makers and sample some of the exceptional spirits that have put Virginia on the map as a hotspot for high-quality distilling.

Supporting this initiative, Virginia ABC has committed to prominently displaying the bottles of the gold medal-winning spirits in their retail locations statewide.

The Voice of Virginia Distillers

According to Dale Farino, CEO of Virginia ABC, the recognition from industry experts solidifies the status of Virginia-made spirits as some of the best available. He commented, "Virginia ABC is proud to work closely with our Virginia distillers on the responsible production and sale of spirits. We will be prominently featuring First Landing Cup honorees, as well as other quality Virginia-made spirits, for eager customers at our network of stores."

Becky Harris, the president of the Virginia Distillers Association, expressed her commitment to ensuring the First Landing Cup maintained the highest standards, bringing together esteemed professionals for the blind tasting. This event has evidently elevated the profile of Virginia's distilling community, proving that local producers can confidently compete at national levels.

Telling Stories through Spirit

Scott Harris, chair of the Virginia Spirits Board, summarized the event's significance by stating, "Here in Virginia, we don't just make great spirits—we tell great stories. The First Landing Cup is our way of spotlighting excellence—raising a glass to the talent, hustle, and heritage behind every bottle. It's a fun and meaningful way to show the world just how strong—and spirited—Virginia's distilling scene really is."

For those interested in exploring the complete list of medal winners and learning more about the distilling culture in Virginia, further information can be found at virginiaspirits.org/first-landing-cup. The First Landing Cup is a testament to the heritage and innovation of Virginia distillers, ensuring that their rich stories live on with every sip.