The 2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition will bring together craft distillers from across the United States to compete for prestigious awards that recognize excellence in whiskey production. Sponsored by corn marketing associations from 21 states, the competition will judge craft whiskeys containing corn, with a special focus on farmer-distillers who grow their own ingredients.
The competition, set to take place on July 15 in Indianapolis, will award medals in multiple whiskey categories, including bourbon and rye. The most anticipated honors include the Best-of-State awards and the Top Farmer-Distiller Trophy, which celebrates distilleries owned by farmers who grow their own corn.
In the 2023 competition, over 30% of entries came from farmer-distillers, underscoring the growing trend of agricultural integration in craft spirits production. The competition highlights the innovative spirit of American craft distillers and their commitment to using locally sourced ingredients.
A panel of industry professionals and expert mixologists will judge the entries, with winners to be announced in early September. The competition not only recognizes exceptional whiskey but also emphasizes the crucial connection between agricultural producers and spirit makers.
By celebrating farmer-distillers and corn-based whiskeys, the Heartland Whiskey Competition serves as a platform for showcasing the quality, creativity, and agricultural roots of American craft spirits.
