The World Whiskies Awards are a global stage for the very best internationally recognized whiskies from around the world. It’s a benchmark event that spans seven design categories, each reflecting major products or display areas of the market.
This year’s winners include three leading LibDib Gold and Silver Makers, including Distillery 291, Onyx & Amber, and Hinterhaus. We are honored to carry these incredible American whiskeys, as they are an example of the craftsmanship that small producers bring to the industry. Easy for licensed Buyers to purchase online and serve to any whiskey fan.
Distillery 291, “Brand Innovator of the Year”
Distillery 291 received “Brand Innovator of the Year” in the Icons of Whiskey section of the awards.Distillery 291 has secured another well-deserved award, building on its 2025 Gold medal win. This Colorado Springs distillery is celebrated for its inventive, "grain-to-glass" approach, seamlessly blending tradition with creative experimentation to produce distinctive American whiskey.
Rooted in its heritage, 291 crafts small-batch expressions using copper pot stills, local grains, and water sourced from Pikes Peak. A signature regional character and added complexity are achieved by finishing many of their whiskies with toasted Aspen wood staves.
Beyond classic rye and bourbon, Distillery 291 pushes the boundaries of American whiskey. Their innovative spirit is evident in unique offerings, such as the un-aged Fresh Colorado Whiskey for mixology and the four-grain Good Guy American Whiskey. This willingness to reimagine styles while maintaining a commitment to bold flavor and craftsmanship has established Distillery 291's reputation among award-winning American whiskeys.
Onyx & Amber, Copper Buffalo, “World’s Best American Style Whiskey”
It seems Colorado is a leading producer of award-winning whiskies. This year, Colorado producer Onyx & Amber took top honors in the American Style Whiskey Category for Copper Buffalo — just less than a year after launch.Onyx & Amber’s Copper Buffalo is an 18-year American light whiskey that embodies the brand's bold and unique approach to whiskey making. Aged in Colorado and finished in used bourbon barrels, the expression showcases the dramatic impact of high-altitude maturation. The dry mountain air and significant temperature swings in their Denver warehouses enhance the whiskey's richness and complexity.
Reflecting a philosophy of patience, transparency, and discovery, the brand focuses on embracing the unique character of each barrel rather than striving for consistency. This results in limited, one-time-expression releases that appeal strongly to both critics and whiskey lovers.
The recognition received for Copper Buffalo highlights both the distillery’s innovative aging process and the increasing respect for American light whiskey as a category of serious depth and distinction.
Hinterhaus Distilling, “Best American Single Cask Malt Whiskey (12 Years & Under)”
Out of the Sierra Nevada mountains of California comes Hinterhaus Distilling, a small family-owned operation that brings a true sense of place to its craft whiskeys. This incredible American Single Malt Whiskey brought home a silver medal this year for their approach to whiskey, which blends regional terroir, thoughtful sourcing, and meticulous barrel work in every bottle. Hinterhaus Distillery’s American single malt whiskies are profoundly influenced by their environment—pure mountain water, high elevation, and specific climate—all of which shape maturation and spirit character. This dedication to provenance is perfectly captured in their Singularity expression.
Distilled from premium malted barley and open-fermented to accentuate nuanced grain notes, Singularity underwent a multi-layered oak maturation process designed to enhance complexity while maintaining the integrity of the raw spirit. This philosophy was recognized at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards, where Singularity was named Category Champion for Best American Single Cask Single Malt (12 Years & Under). The result is an American single malt that celebrates its pristine mountain origin and the distillery's commitment to expressive, small-batch craftsmanship. Furthermore, Hinterhaus is an award-winning "Maker" across multiple categories, also producing acclaimed vodka and gin.
These honors reflect exceptional craftsmanship, innovation, and quality in American whiskey — and are available on LibDib. Sign in or Sign up today and shop these trendsetters in American whiskey.