First-ever competition highlights growing global interest in kosher-certified spirits
Cincinnati, Ohio – 4 June 2026 – The inaugural Kosher Spirits Awards has closed its call for entries, marking a major milestone for what will be the first competition dedicated entirely to kosher-certified spirits.
In its debut year, the competition received over 50 submissions from producers across a range of categories, including whiskey, bourbon, tequila, gin, and even spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails. Entries were submitted by brands representing multiple regions, reflecting the expanding presence of kosher-certified products in the global spirits market.
Organizers say the response has exceeded expectations and signals a broader shift in how kosher spirits are perceived — not simply as a niche offering, but as an emerging category deserving of structured evaluation and recognition.
“I’m so excited about the response for the inaugural Kosher Spirits Awards,” said Maggie Kimberl, Lead Judge of the competition. “We are looking forward to creating something of value for the kosher-keeping community through our work evaluating kosher-certified spirits from around the world. Our hope is that people can take these results to their local bottle shops and find spirits that meet their needs and preferences without having to cross-reference multiple lists of competition winners with lists of kosher-certified spirits.”
Judging for the competition will take place in the coming week and will bring together a panel of experienced tasters and industry professionals to evaluate entries across multiple criteria, including quality, craftsmanship, and overall drinking experience.
Beyond identifying standout products, the awards aim to establish a framework for understanding and discussing kosher-certified spirits within a broader culinary and industry context.
“We’re excited not just about the competition itself, but about providing a broader awareness of these products on the market,” Rabbi Drew Kaplan, Founder and Host of Jewish Drinking, the organization running this competition. “Even I, myself, was surprised to discover so many of the products entered into this competition were certified kosher and on the market, so I imagine this competition may even be the first time many kosher-keeping consumers will have even heard of many of these products.”
Results of the inaugural Kosher Spirits Awards will be announced no later than June 15th.
