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The American craft whiskey scene has really come into its own over the past few years, expanding beyond the traditional Tennessee and Kentucky bourbons to include ryes, single malts, blends and white whiskeys made with a combination of old-world and new-school techniques.
For the past four weeks, our readers have been voting for their favorite craft whiskey distilleries from a pool of 20 nominees. Many of these distilleries work in small batches using locally-sourced ingredients. Many are family-owned. All take pride in crafting creative, great tasting whiskeys worthy of sipping.
The top 10 winners in the Best Craft Whiskey Distillery category are as follows:
- Smooth Ambler - Maxwelton, W.V.
- Limestone Branch Distillery - Lebanon, Ky.
- Garrison Brothers Distillery - Hye, Texas
- Seven Stills Brewery & Distillery - San Francisco
- Hillrock Estate Distillery - Ancram, N.Y.
- Balcones Distilling - Waco, Texas
- Arizona Distilling Company - Tempe, Ariz.
- Corsair Distillery - Nashville
- House Spirits Distillery - Portland, Ore.
- Nelson's Green Brier Distillery - Nashville
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Emily Arden Wells (Gastronomista); Brian Christensen (Artisan Spirit Magazine); Ziggy Eschliman, one of America's most authoritative and entertaining libation experts; Kevin Gray (Bevvy); Eric Grossman (Craft Spirits) and Jack Robertiello, a spirits competition judge, were chosen for their knowledge of the American craft spirits scene.
Congratulations to all these winning distilleries.
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The Experts
Emily Arden Wells
Emily Arden Wells is the editor and founder of the... Read More
Emily Arden Wells is the editor and founder of the award-winning cocktail and travel website Gastronomista. Follow her on Instagram at @gastronomista_
Emily Arden Wells

Emily Arden Wells is the editor and founder of the award-winning cocktail and travel website Gastronomista. Follow her on Instagram at @gastronomista_
Brian Christensen
Brian Christensen is the co-founder of Artisan... Read More
Brian Christensen is the co-founder of Artisan Spirit Magazine, the most trusted distilling trade journal in America, and the Still Talking Podcast, an irreverent distilling podcast his wife won’t even listen to. He is a member of multiple industry committees, advisor boards, and spirits competitions around the country. Brian is lucky enough to spend his days working with distillers, suppliers, state guilds, and industry associations around the world to tell stories that both inform and educate.
Brian Christensen

Brian Christensen is the co-founder of Artisan Spirit Magazine, the most trusted distilling trade journal in America, and the Still Talking Podcast, an irreverent distilling podcast his wife won’t even listen to. He is a member of multiple industry committees, advisor boards, and spirits competitions around the country. Brian is lucky enough to spend his days working with distillers, suppliers, state guilds, and industry associations around the world to tell stories that both inform and educate.
Ziggy Eschliman
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy... Read More
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy Eschliman is among America's most enthusiastic, authoritative and entertaining libation experts. Her internationally known company, ZigStyle, combines her artistry for wine country entertaining and gardening while integrating her expertise of wine & spirits, showcasing a unique lifestyle. For over 25 years Ziggy has set and reported trends in all things wine and spirits. Her radio shows are broadcast throughout wine country and are available online.
Ziggy Eschliman

Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy Eschliman is among America's most enthusiastic, authoritative and entertaining libation experts. Her internationally known company, ZigStyle, combines her artistry for wine country entertaining and gardening while integrating her expertise of wine & spirits, showcasing a unique lifestyle. For over 25 years Ziggy has set and reported trends in all things wine and spirits. Her radio shows are broadcast throughout wine country and are available online.
Kevin Gray
Kevin Gray is the co-founder and editor-in-chief... Read More
Kevin Gray is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Bevvy, an online service dedicated to enhancing people's drinking experiences though cocktail recipes, spirit reviews and helpful tips, plus entertaining articles about the people and brands behind the bar. Kevin was formerly the founder of CocktailEnthusiast.com, and has also written for numerous publications including the Dallas Morning News, Men's Journal, Tasting Table and more.
Kevin Gray

Kevin Gray is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Bevvy, an online service dedicated to enhancing people's drinking experiences though cocktail recipes, spirit reviews and helpful tips, plus entertaining articles about the people and brands behind the bar. Kevin was formerly the founder of CocktailEnthusiast.com, and has also written for numerous publications including the Dallas Morning News, Men's Journal, Tasting Table and more.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and F&B writer based in... Read More
Eric Grossman is a travel and F&B writer based in Boston. Highlighting 250 of the world’s most important producers, his book Craft Spirits (DK; Penguin Random House) has been published in more than a dozen countries. Besides keeping tabs on the latest in industry trends by visiting the world's best bars, Eric has blended pisco in Peru, sourced gin botanicals in Holland and experienced baijiu culture in China.
Eric Grossman

Eric Grossman is a travel and F&B writer based in Boston. Highlighting 250 of the world’s most important producers, his book Craft Spirits (DK; Penguin Random House) has been published in more than a dozen countries. Besides keeping tabs on the latest in industry trends by visiting the world's best bars, Eric has blended pisco in Peru, sourced gin botanicals in Holland and experienced baijiu culture in China.
Jack Robertiello
Jack Robertiello has worked with or written about... Read More
Jack Robertiello has worked with or written about spirits, wine, food and restaurants for most of his adult life, for many publications. He speaks frequently at conferences and meetings, and judges at numerous competitions, including the annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Robertiello also gives private classes and seminars on tasting wine and spirits, and has advised producers, importers, marketers and publicists about the field. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Jack Robertiello

Jack Robertiello has worked with or written about spirits, wine, food and restaurants for most of his adult life, for many publications. He speaks frequently at conferences and meetings, and judges at numerous competitions, including the annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Robertiello also gives private classes and seminars on tasting wine and spirits, and has advised producers, importers, marketers and publicists about the field. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.