NEWS!

Victoria Island, Stockton, CA  - April 30, 2024

The Bay Area’s own Sabbatical Distillery takes home top honors for its flagship Blended Whiskey and small batch Port Cask Finished Straight Bourbon. Adding to the distillery’s growing collection of awards are the newly unveiled Double Gold and Gold Medal wins from the largest and most prestigious spirits competition in the world.

Sabbatical’s Blended Whiskey – Table Blend No. 1 received the highest designation of a Double Gold Medal and earned a judges’ score of 95 points. According to the expert reviewers at the SFWSC, “The Double Gold designation is awarded to the very few entries that receive Gold medal ratings by all members of the judging panel. These are among the finest products in the world.” 

The distillery’s limited release barrel finished whiskey expression, Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Casks, was recognized with a Gold Medal from the SFWSC and a rating of 93 points. According to the SFWSC, “Products awarded a Gold medal are exceptional. They are near the pinnacle of achievement in their particular category. They are products that set the standard for all others of their type.”

In less than 3 years in the market, Sabbatical has received an impressive array of top honors from the most important global competitions in the industry. Other San Francisco World Spirits Competition distinctions for its portfolio include: Sabado Gin by Sabbatical (Double Gold, 2022), Straight Bourbon Barrel Reserve (Gold, 2023), Blended American Whiskey Finished in Cognac Casks (Gold, 2022), Cognac Cask Finished American Single Malt Whiskey (Silver, 2023) and the newly released California Lemon Vodka (Bronze, 2024).

“We are particularly thrilled to receive this recognition for our signature Blended Whiskey as this was the original vision that led us on the path of starting our own distillery to create quality spirits that we wanted to drink but could not find in the market,” said Sabbatical co-founder Danny Leonard. “After many years of hard work and experimentation, we’re proud of this effortlessly complex expression and are grateful to be honored at the most esteemed tasting competition in the world alongside brands we greatly respect.”

Sabbatical’s “Table Blend No. 1” Blended American Whiskey previously received a Double Gold Medal and was named Best Craft Blended Whiskey at the American Distilling Institute’s International Spirits Competition.

All of Sabbatical’s award-winning spirits are available to purchase direct from the distillery at their on-site bottle shop or online with shipping throughout California at: https://www.drinksabbatical.com/shop

Sabbatical’s Double Gold & Gold Medal winning whiskeys are available at select locations throughout Northern California, with a full list of retailers available here: https://www.drinksabbatical.com/locations

The 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) was the largest since its inception in 2000 receiving almost 5,500 entries this year. More information on the competition and a full list of this year’s winners can be found here: https://thetastingalliance.com/medalists-of-the-2024-san-francisco-world-spirits-and-ready-to-drink-competitions/