4th Annual

Sunset International Spirits Competition

SunsetSpiritLogoAward

About

SUNSET Magazine, the leading media brand of the Western lifestyle, is proud to announce the launch of the Sunset International Spirits Competition. With the number of subscribers, demographic of the Sunset Magazine reader base and amount of social media followers this competition will be 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 2023 Spirit Awards winners are announced.

The Sunset Magazine International Spirits Competition will take place on October 18th and 19th in Santa Rosa, CA and the deadline for submission is October 11th. To enter your product, please fill in our online entry form.

“From the martini to the Moscow mule, from the mezcal renaissance to the Rocky Mountain whiskey boom, spirits and the culture of cocktails have long been an integral part of the West. And Sunset has been there every step—and sip—of the way. Our annual spirits competition is one vital way for us to chronicle and celebrate the bottlings, brands, and distillers that are the figurative and literal expression of the Western spirit. As we return to the judging table yet again, we can’t wait to taste the best of the West.”

Hugh Garvey , Editor-in-Chief

View 2021 Winners
View 2021 Spirits Special Issue
View 2020 Winners
View 2019 Winners

Reasons to Enter

  • Sunset is the definitive lifestyle brand of the modern American West and the single most trusted resource for a national audience aspiring to live the western lifestyle.
  • The Sunset audience:
    • Sunset readers depend on the magazine to expand their wine and spirits knowledge.
    • 7 out of 10 savor food & drink content
    • 64% drink spirits at least once a week (and 7.7% drink spirits 6–7 days a week)
    • 77% drink cocktails at least once a week (and 9.3% drink cocktails 6–7 days a week)
    • $104,801 Median HHI
    • $651,640 Median HH net worth
  • Sunset has a circulation of 230K in print and digital with 1MM+ site visits per month. Average page views are 8.8MM.
  • Sunset’s social audience is 1.1M
    • Facebook: 522,000
    • Pinterest: 277,000
    • Instagram: 236,000
    • Twitter: 70,000
  • Sunset readers appreciate Sunset‘s commitment to the wine and spirits industry and count on the magazine to expand their wine and spirits knowledge.
    • 7MM+ Total Cross-Platform Reach
    • 2.5% - 3.5% Industry-Leading Social Engagement
    • 150% YOY - Total Social Audience Growth
    • 125% YOY - #Sunset Instagram Community Growth
    • 80% of Sunset readers make decisions on brands and product choices based on ads seen in Sunset.
  • THE TOP 5 SPIRITS CATEGORIES BY REVENUE:
    • Vodka sales up 4.9 percent or $341 million to $7.3 billion
    • Tequila/Mezcal up 30.1 percent or $1.2 billion to $5.2 billion
    • American Whiskey up 6.7 percent or $288 million to $4.6 billion
    • Brandy & Cognac up 13.1 percent or $403 million to $3.5 billion
    • Cordials up 15.2 percent or $376 million to $2.9 billion
  • TOP FIVE FASTEST GROWING SPIRITS CATEGORIES BY REVENUE:
    • Premixed cocktails, including spirits-based RTDs up 42.3 percent or $489 million to $1.6 billion
    • Tequila/Mezcal up 30.1 percent or $1.2 billion to $5.2 billion
    • Irish Whiskey up 16.3 percent or $185 million to $1.3 billion
    • Cordials up 15.2 percent or $376 million to $2.9 billion
    • Single Malt Scotch up 14.4 percent or $130 million to $1 billion

Sources: 2018 MRI Doublebase. 2019 Sunset Digital Survey, 2022 Sunset Media Kit, 2022 VinePair article

Entry Deadline and Product Shipments Due

October 11th, 2022

Judging

October 18th -19th, 2022

Enter Now

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter?

The registration fee is $345 per on-line entry / $195 Mixers and Pre-Mixed Cocktails.

Is there a paper entry form?

No, all submissions must go through our online system for better and more accurate tracking and communication.

When is the deadline to enter?

The final deadline for entries and spirits delivery is October 11th, 2022.

How many bottles need to be sent per entry?

An official entry shall consist of two bottles per entry for 750 ml and larger. For sizes less than 750 ml, please submit three bottles per entry. 

When will the competition take place?

The judging will take place October 18th-19th, in Sonoma County, CA.

When will the winners be announced?

Winning producers will be featured in the 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 2023 Spirit Awards winners are announced.

Where do I send my spirits?

Please ship spirits directly to the address below. Entries MUST arrive no later than October 11th, 2022. Download pre-addressed shipping labels.

Sunset International Spirits Competition

c/o Express Wine Shipping

7970 Cameron Dr.

Windsor, CA 95492

Who should I contact if I have more questions?

Please contact Debra Del Fiorentino at: debra@winecompetitions.com

(415) 640-6337.

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Official Rules

  • Deadline

    Shipping Deadline: October 11th, 2022.

    Judging: October 18th and 19th, 2022.

  • Fees

    Fees are $345 per entry online or $195 for Mixers and Pre-mixed Cocktails.

  • Legal

    Spirits produced in any region of the world that meet the applicable federal legal requirements

  • Who may enter

    Open to Commercial Distillers, Craft Distillers, Producers, Importers and Distributors

  • Advertising & Licensing Opportunities

    Available a few months after completion of the competition, a special non-print, digital edition with supporting microsite on sunset.com. There will be paid ad opportunities in the digital edition and microsite directory. These ads will allow for prominent placement and some versions will allow for a paid digital listing 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, there is an additional paid logo award licensing program that is available upon request. This additional paid program allows entrants to license, on an annual basis, the logo award for commercial purposes to boost sales using the Sunset award. Please contact sunsetadops@sunset.com for pricing details for advertising and licensing opportunities.

  • 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

  • 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

    Download a mailing label

  • 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.

2021 Judges

Chris Sawyer

Sommelier to the Stars,  Radio and TV Personality, and Spirit Judge

Jason Jorgensen

Co-Founder and Head Distiller, Alley 6

Jason Schneider

General Manager, Bottle Barn.  Chief Spirit Buyer

Jennifer Kelly

Sommelier, Consultant, and Spirit Expert

Larry VanAalst

Sommelier, Radio Host, The Sonoma Report, CRN Radio

Spreti Valente

Sommelier,  Buyer and Consultant 

Timo Marshall

Owner and Head Distiller at Spirit Works, Sonoma, CA

Traci Dutton

Educator,  Sommelier CIA @ Greystone, Napa, CA

Ziggy Eschliman

Radio and TV Host, Blogger, The Contessa of Cocktails

Bottoms Up!

Reach a perfect audience.

Wow an esteemed judging panel.

It's your time to shine!

Enter Now
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