They celebrate regularly in the world of the Moersch Hospitality Group, but even by their own standards this should be a pretty glorious weekend internally for the folks who own and operate Round Barn Distillery among other properties in Baroda. They have just emerged from the 16th Annual Craft Spirits Conference & Expo in Denver, Colorado with a Gold Medal victory for their Round Barn Distillery 269 Gin. They also won two Bronze Medals, one each for their DiVine Vodka and their Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Round Barn was one of seven members of the Michigan Craft Distillers Association to bring home a collective 26 medal from that conference and expo presented by the American Distilling Institute from March 18th through the 21st in Denver. Their 269 Gin was one of only three Gold Medal winners out of a field of 27 gins in their category of competition.
The biggest Michigan winner was Long Road Distillers from Grand Rapids who copped the “Best of Category” trophy for their Amaro Pazza in the Coffee Liqueur category as well as six other honors.
Other Michigan distilleries in Michigan recognized beyond Round Barn and Long Road were American Fifth Spirits in Lansing, Ethanology in Elk Rapids, Iron Fish Distillery in Thompsonville, Motor City Gas in Royal Oak, and New Holland Spirits in Grand Rapids.
Overall, more than 235 distilleries from around the world were recognized during the annual competition for producing some of the finest artisan spirits in categories ranging from Aged Gin to Whiskey, all judged by highly-esteemed panels of judges in a blind tasting.
Michigan medals include:
BEST IN CATEGORY
- Long Road Distillers Amaro Pazzo
GOLD
- Long Road Distillers Raspberry Liqueur
- New Holland Spirits Knickerbocker Barrel Gin
- Round Barn Distillery 269 Gin
SILVER
- American Fifth Spirits Salted Caramel
- American Fifth Spirits Straight Bourbon
- American Fifth Spirits Signature Rye Whiskey
- Ethanology Mel Vocatus
- Iron Fish Distillery Michigan Rye Vodka
- Long Road Distillers Barrel Reserve Gin
- Long Road Distillers Amaro Pazzo
- Long Road Distillers Nocino
- Long Road Aquavit
- Long Road Old Aquavit
- New Holland Spirits Knickerbocker American Gin
- New Holland Spirits Beer Barrel Bourbon
BRONZE
- Ethanology Ferox Barrel Rested Summer Gin
- Ethanology Siligo Vodka
- Motor City Gas Midnight Oil Whiskey
- Motor City Gas Gas N’ Ginger Flavored Whiskey
- New Holland Spirits Knickerbocker Blueberry Gin
- New Holland Spirits Knickerbocker Grapefruit Gin
- New Holland Spirits Holland Mule
- New Holland Spirits Beer Barrel Rye
- Round Barn Distillery DiVine Vodka
- Round Barn Distillery Baroda Straight Bourbon Whiskey
For the complete list of medals awarded you can click the link below:
https://distilling.com/events/judging/awards/
The American Distilling Institute (ADI) is the largest community of small-batch, independently owned distilleries in the nation. Founded in 2003, ADI has become a beacon for the craft distilling community — serving as the go-to source for all information on craft distilling. ADI exists to promote and defend the enterprise of craft distilling. They embrace the passion and fierce independence of their community — hosting industry events and providing developmental and educational resources to help ensure that the art of craft distilling continues to grow and thrive.
The Michigan Craft Distillers Association was formed in October 2014 as a non-profit organization charged with marketing the individual member businesses, their products and events, but also help bring a voice for the industry when it comes to legislative issues that affect the overall beverage industry.
MCDA currently represents more than two dozen distilleries with nearly 40 unique tasting room locations around the state, as well as a handful of distillery-in-planning members and nearly 30 allied members. Michigan’s craft distilling industry is growing at a rapid pace – ranking #8 in the nation in terms of overall number of distilleries according to The Craft Spirits Data Project 2018 report.
The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market shows a Pineapple Basil Martini featuring Round Barn’s Gold Medal winning 269 Gin.
