The Spirit of Craft Awards (SOCraft Awards), which offers global craft spirit makers an exclusive platform for recognition and validation, is proud to unveil its inaugural contingent of awardees for 2024/25. The winning list was determined by a panel of 36 judges over six judging rounds, consisting of Asia’s bar elites, spirits experts, and drinks critics.

An overview of the results:

  • 43 craft spirits awarded
  • 13 craft spirits with 1 STAR
  • Five craft spirits with 1 STAR and GREEN RING
  • Eight craft spirits with 2 STARS
  • 15 craft spirits with 2 STARS and GREEN RING
  • Two craft spirits with 3 STARS and GREEN RING

Officially launched in January 2024, SOCraft Awards is Asia’s first awards that honor the art and craft in the world of artisanal spirits. It also sets a pioneering precedent by integrating environmental responsibility as a key judging pillar. Over three months, entries from across 15 countries – Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Scotland, Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand, Netherlands, and the U.S. – made their way to Singapore for judging, which took place from 2 to 4 May 2024.

“A massive congratulations to all the awarded craft spirits in this inaugural edition of SOCraft Awards. Aside from providing a gateway for global craft spirit makers to connect with buyers and consumers in Asia, the Awards also aim to be a source of inspiration for drink makers here. SOCraft Awards is where they can discover some of the most amazing small-batch spirits in the world. In this first edition, at least 70% of the entries are new to our market,” says Ivy Woo, Managing Director of FoodNews Creative Marketing Agency, Founder of SOCraft Awards and Co-Founder of Singapore Cocktail Festival.

What Makes A Craft Spirit, Craft?

SOCraft Awards defines craft spirits as handcrafted and produced by an independent distillery. All craft spirit makers must adhere to these criteria to be considered for entry:

  1. Craft spirit distillers must already be marketing themselves as craft
  2. Craft spirit distillers must be majority independently owned
  3. Craft spirit distillers must be producing no more than *750,000 gallons annually

*In accordance with the American Craft Spirits Association

How Craft Spirits Are Judged And Awarded

SOCraft Awards assembled a Judging Committee of 12 thought leaders, each representing a key geographical market in Asia’s drinks and spirits industry. Together, the Committee voted for a panel of 36 judges, consisting of independent and acclaimed bar owners and bartenders, spirits writers, importers, and distributors from Asia.

To ensure a fair judging process, judging was conducted blindly. Each judge tasted no more than ten spirits per session, over a 120-minute seating. Judges independently evaluated each spirit based on Aroma and Bouquet (20 points), Mouthfeel (20 points), Taste (20 points), Finish (20 points) and Overall Impression (20 points).

Craft spirits with excellent green efforts were also recognized with an additional GREEN RING. This is based on a written submission that was reviewed and scored separately by sustainability advocates Heidi (Yu) Spurrell, Founder of Future Green, and Sasha Wijidessa, Co-Founder of future-forward bar Fura. Judges assessed entries across Choice of Production Materials (5 points), Waste Management (5 points), Emissions Management (5 points), and Support for Local Community (5 points).

What Makes SOCraft Awards Different?

  • SOCraft Awards is the first Asia-based award that honors the art and craft of artisanal spirit making. It promises to be a gateway to Asia for global craft spirit makers and a source of inspiration for drink makers here.
  • The Awards is the first spirits awards to include “Sustainability” as a primary judging criterion. SOCraft Awards strongly believes that for a craft spirit to attain best-in-class status, it must be mindful of the environment.
  • Judging for SOCraft Awards is conducted in a “small-batch” manner. The Awards is dedicated to honoring the passion that goes into every drop of craft spirit. Judges only sample up to 10 craft spirits in every seating to ensure they can appreciate and score fairly and professionally.
  • SOCraft Awards does not accord “best of” winners across categories and firmly believes that every craft spirit is unique and precious in its own way. Each spirit is scored independently (and not against each other) and awarded 1 Star, 2 Stars, or 3 Stars, based on its own merits.