Early Bird Entry Deadline: May 19th, 2026
Regular Entry Deadline: June 2nd, 2026
About
SUNSET Magazine is the leading media brand of the Western lifestyle. Its International Spirits Competition makes its winning spirits part of the most influential spirit program in the country. With the number of subscribers, demographic of the Sunset Magazine reader base and number of social media followers this competition is a must-enter for all spirit producers desiring exposure to a perfect audience.
The esteemed judging panels represent large volume buyers, influential media, successful distillers and other professionals from the spirits category.
Winning producers will be featured in a Spring release of a Spirits Special non-print, digital edition with supporting microsite. Promotions for Spirits Award Special Issue will be placed in sunset.com, Sunset eNewsletters and Sunset social sites. The edition will be promoted and available for 12 months or until the following years' Spirit Awards winners are announced.
Sunset Spirits Magazine 2025
Best of the Best 2025 - Tipico Pisco
“We couldn’t be more impressed by the diversity and caliber of entrants this year,” says Sunset Editor-in-Chief Hugh Garvey. “A hearty cheers to the winners. We can’t wait to celebrate them in our pages and share their delicious accomplishments with our audience.”
Hugh Garvey, Editor-in-Chief
Reasons to Enter
Sources: Sunset 2026 Media Kit (Harvey Study, SEMRush, Google Analytics, Parsely, Sailthru, and Apple); 2018 MRI Doublebase; 2019 Sunset Digital Survey; Mordor Intelligence; Gallup; Statista; Park Street.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter?
Early Bird Deadline: May 19th, 2026 *$325 per entry / $175 Mixers and Pre-Mixed Cocktails.
Regular Deadline: June 2nd, 2026 *$345 per entry / $195 Mixers and Pre-Mixed Cocktails.
Is there a paper entry form?
When is the deadline to enter?
How many bottles need to be sent per entry?
When will the competition take place?
When will the winners be announced?
Where do I send my spirits?
Who should I contact if I have more questions?
Official Rules
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Deadline
Entry Deadline: June 2nd, 2026
*Early Bird Entry Deadline: May 19th, 2026*
Shipping Deadline: 5pm - June 3rd, 2026
Judging: June 16th - June 18th, 2026
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Fees
Regular Entry: Fees are $345 per entry online or $195 for Mixers and Pre-mixed Cocktails.
Early Bird Entry *Deadline: May 19th, 2026*: Fees are $325 per entry online or $175 for Mixers and Pre-mixed Cocktails.
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Legal
Spirits produced in any region of the world that meet the applicable federal legal requirements
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Who may enter
Open to Commercial Distillers, Craft Distillers, Producers, Importers and Distributors
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Advertising & Licensing Opportunities
Available a few months after completion of the competition, a special non-print, digital magazine edition with supporting microsite on sunset.com will launch. As part of the digital magazine there will be paid ad opportunities and paid listings in a microsite directory. These ad positions will allow for prominent placement and the larger ad units will allow for your ad to contain your label or logo image along with a link to your website and a “Buy Button” included on Awards page on Sunset.com. Also, if you are looking to leverage your award medal for commercial purposes there is a licensing program that is available upon request. This additional paid licensing program allows entrants to license, on an annual basis, the logo award for commercial purposes to boost sales using your Sunset award. As example, the licensing program will allow you to leverage the Sunset brand on your bottle label, neckers, case cards, shelf talkers and more. Please contact sunsetadops@sunset.com for pricing details for advertising and licensing opportunities.
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Entries
An official entry shall consist of two (2) bottles, each bottle no less than 750 ml in volume or larger For sizes less than 750 ml, please submit three (3) bottles per entry
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Labels
Any spirit that is delivered to the competition without a full and proper label will be disqualified from the judging. Please do not send spirits with laboratory, temporary, photocopied, or altered labels
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Medals
Please note that only Best of Class winners will be receiving medals automatically. Gold medals will be made available upon request. Digital plaques will be available for all winners for use on websites, social media sites and/or email campaigns.