Cutwater Spirits took home the gold, winning big at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Cutwater’s Whiskey Mule ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktail won the coveted Best of Class award in the Pre-Mixed Cocktail category.
The San Diego distiller’s Whiskey Mule also earned a Double Gold Medal, which according to the competition’s guidelines, is a distinction “awarded to the entries that receive a Gold medal rating by all members of the judging panel; these are among the finest products in the world.”
Cutwater’s Whiskey Mule wasn’t the only of the brand’s canned cocktail products to secure a win at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The distillery won 23 of the 110 medals awarded in the Pre-Mixed Cocktail category including 3 Double Gold, 3 Gold, 11 Silver, and 6 Bronze. In addition to their Whiskey Mule, Cutwater’s Mild Bloody Mary and White Russian canned cocktails also walked away with Double Gold Medals. Cutwater products medaled 44 times at this year’s SFWSC across categories.
When it comes to Cutwater’s Whiskey Mule, the company insists, “Our ginger beer, a hint of lime, and aromatic bitters flavor makes for the start of a perfect mule. The addition of our award-winning Bourbon adds a depth of flavor to turn the classic on its head. Spicy, bold, and ready-to-enjoy.” The cocktail, which is made with Cutwater’s own Black Skimmer Bourbon, contains an ABV of 7% and comes in individual 12 ounce cans and 4-packs.
Formally founded in 2017, Cutwater is no stranger to accolades. The company has won well over 1,000 awards across its diverse catalogue of canned cocktails, spirits, mixers and pops. Winning almost 400 awards last year alone, Cutwater’s RTD canned cocktail line is the “most awarded canned cocktail in the US,” according to their website. The distillery, which is owned by Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD), currently has 22 canned cocktails to its name and regularly adds new flavor varieties to its growing brand.
“We are honored and proud that Cutwater is consistently acknowledged by the industry as among the best in the world,” states Cutwater Founder, Yuseff Cherney. “The accomplishment of reaching this incredible milestone is a true testament to the entire team’s passion, hard work, and commitment to excellence.”
Stiff Drinks Competition
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition was founded in 2000. The organization boasts that it “is the oldest and largest competition of its kind.”
Their website explains, “The Tasting Alliance Competitions are considered the most influential for a reason. Earning a medal from the organization not only helps brands enter and stand out in the U.S. and international markets but is a critical next step for any producer to earn recognition in the industry and with consumers.” Winning medals in a competition as prestigious as the SFWSC can result in game-changing opportunities for wide-range distribution.
RTD canned cocktails have been a growing category for several years but experienced a sharp rise in popularity amongst consumers quarantining at home during the pandemic. The global RTD market is projected to hit nearly $26 billion by 2025.
Anheuser-Busch CEO Carlos Brito proudly mentioned Cutwater’s impressive performance on a recent earnings call, “…It’s about beyond beer, like Cutwater. Cutwater, for example, growing twice the growth of RTD cocktails.”
Cutwater continues to set itself apart from the competition. Fans are eager to see what the future has in store for the award-winning brand.
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