First Landing Cup 2026
Virginia’s craft distillers had another big year to celebrate.
The First Landing Cup returned for another round of recognizing the best of the commonwealth’s spirits industry, and 2026 proved the competition is only getting bigger. Designed to showcase the quality, craftsmanship and diversity of Virginia-made spirits, the competition brought together producers from across the state for a blind-judging process led by some of the most respected names in American craft spirits.
By the Numbers
- 31 Virginia distilleries participated
- 21 highly respected judges from around the U.S.
- 95 spirits entered into competition
- 70 medals awarded
- More than 25,000 social media impressions
- More than 1,500 website visits tied to competition content and results
Competition Overview
This year’s entries spanned whiskey, gin, rum, vodka, brandy, liqueurs and ready-to-drink cocktails – proof that Virginia’s distillers are working in just about every category there is. Each product went through blind judging that weighed quality, balance, character and overall execution.
Winning spirits took home Best in Show, Best in Class and Best in Category honors, along with gold, silver and bronze medals. And the recognition didn’t stop at a trophy: Winners also received promotional support to put their products in front of more consumers, retailers and industry stakeholders.
Industry Impact
The First Landing Cup has grown into something bigger than a spirits competition – it’s become a recognizable platform for celebrating what Virginia distillers are doing well. To match that growth, Virginia Spirits rolled out a refreshed visual identity for the competition this year, with updated branding, graphics and promotional materials designed to reflect the quality and prestige the awards now carry.
The competition also expanded its digital footprint with the launch of dedicated First Landing Cup social media channels, a new, year-round way to showcase medal-winning spirits, participating distilleries and competition updates. The expanded approach helped build awareness for the competition itself and Virginia’s growing spirits industry as a whole.
Together, content drove more than 25,000 social media impressions and more than 1,500 visits to Virginia Spirits’ digital properties, connecting consumers with award-winning products and the distilleries behind them.
Key Takeaways
The First Landing Cup keeps strengthening Virginia’s reputation as a producer of world-class spirits, giving distillers meaningful recognition while opening new doors to promote Virginia-made products. Increased participation, consumer engagement and industry visibility have turned the competition into a real engine for celebrating excellence and growing Virginia’s spirits industry. And by bringing in respected, independent judges from outside the commonwealth, a still-young competition has gained credibility and clout.
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