Moonshine University in Louisville, Kentucky, an educational facility for distilled spirits, has been awarded the prestigious Best in Show and Best of Class — the highest distinctions — at the American Craft Spirits Association’s (ACSA) 2026 Craft Spirits Competition.
The ACSA is the nation’s only nationally registered nonprofit trade association representing the U.S. craft spirits industry. This year’s awards were presented during the organization’s annual convention in Sacramento, California. Over 200 craft distilleries across the country submitted hundreds of products for judging.
Barrel Aging Workshop In-Class Experiment Leads to Distinguished Awards
Moonshine University’s award-winning submissions were developed as part of an experiment conducted during its Barrel Aging Workshop, a two-day course in which attendees learn a wide range of spirits maturation techniques.
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According to Distilling Operations Manager Clay Smith, faculty selected multiple barrels to create a standard whiskey blend, then divided the spirit among three finishing casks
- Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry
- Oloroso
- Amburana.
The whiskey aged in the PX Sherry cask earned both Best in Show and Class honors. A control spirit from the same experiment earned a silver medal.
“We wanted to show our attendees how the same liquid could perform in different environments, and that they, too, can create an award-winning product,” says Smith. “It’s an honor for our work to be recognized alongside so many amazing brands, despite our small operation.”
In addition to class offerings such as the Barrel Aging Workshop, the Moonshine University team has introduced new programming aimed at supporting craft distilleries amid a reported downturn in spirits consumption and sales.
“We created the Product & Brand Development Course to teach distillery and brand owners that they don’t need large-scale operations to create a unique and successful product,” says Jason Lawrence, General Manager at Moonshine University. “We can’t wait to show our attendees just how many business models and opportunities are out there.”
The ACSA’s recognition underscores Moonshine University’s role in advancing innovation and education within the craft spirits industry, providing both aspiring and established distillers with the tools and knowledge to compete at the highest level.
Moonshine University Offers Training and Distillery Services for the Spirits Industry
Moonshine University offers technical training and business management education for start-ups, industry professionals, and those looking for careers in the spirits industry.
Moonshine University, founded in 2013, is a state-of-the-art educational facility for professionals in the distilled spirits industry and for people that want to get into the distilled spirits industry. With a diverse range of courses and workshops, Moonshine University offers technical training and business management education for start-ups and industry professionals. By partnering with experienced industry professionals and successful distilleries, the Moonshine University team has taught thousands of attendees and helped launch 200+ distilleries. Moonshine University is a sister company to Flavorman, an industry-leading beverage development center founded by David Dafoe in 1992.
– Moonshine University will hold its Product & Brand Development Course for the first time on June 1-3, 2026.
– See all Moonshine University Courses.
– View all U.S. Distilleries.
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