By Blake Jackson
Wood Hat Spirits, located in New Florence, Missouri, achieved top recognition at the 2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition, taking home the Farmer-Distiller: Best Bourbon award and Best in State for Missouri.
The distillery’s Queen’s Reserve earned a tie for the nation’s best farmer-distilled bourbon a first for Missouri - while continuing its dominance as the state’s leading craft whiskey producer.
The biennial competition, sanctioned by the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) and sponsored in part by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council (MCMC), featured entries from across all 50 states.
Dedicated to craft whiskeys with corn as a key ingredient, the contest underscores corn’s essential role in producing premium American spirits and in creating additional value for one of Missouri’s most significant agricultural products.
“This competition shines a spotlight on the craftsmanship and innovation of small distillers who turn quality corn into world-class spirits,” said MCMC Chairman Pat Seyer, a corn grower from Oran, Missouri. “In a challenging economy, every market counts. While most of Missouri’s corn feeds livestock, fuels our vehicles, or is exported around the globe, distillers like Wood Hat are proving our crop can also fill a glass with pride.”
To qualify as a Farmer-Distiller, entrants must both run a distillery and operate an active corn farm. This year marked record participation, with new categories highlighting farmer-owned operations.
A repeat winner, Wood Hat Spirits, founded by Gary Hinegardner in 2013, is certified by the American Distilling Institute as a Craft Distillery and is the only distillery in the country using a woodfired still.
Judged by industry professionals through a blind evaluation process, the Heartland Whiskey Competition awarded titles such as Best of Show, Best of State, and Farmer-Distiller honors. In 2025, only 20 whiskeys nationwide received gold medals.
“Several factors contribute to what is today a more challenging period for craft distillers, which are often small, family-run businesses,” said Margie A.S. Lehrman, CEO of ACSA.
The Heartland Whiskey Competition website contains the complete list of award recipients and information on the supporting corn states.
Photo Credit: pixabay-crafterchef
Categories: Missouri, General