Batch 22 Aquavit Wins Three Top Spirits Awards

Batch 22 says its American aquavit earned three major industry honors in 90 days, including top recognition in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Orleans. The wins come as bartenders and consumers show more interest in bold alternatives to vodka, gin and mezcal.

Why it matters: - Batch 22’s awards streak gives the California aquavit brand momentum in a category that has long been niche in the U.S. - The recognition also highlights growing interest in aquavit as bartenders and drinkers look for distinctive, savory spirits. - Batch 22 says the wins support its goal of making aquavit more approachable for mainstream cocktail menus.

What happened: - Batch 22 earned three major honors in the past 90 days. - In May, the brand received a Platinum Medal at the 2026 L.A. Spirits Awards. - In July, Batch 22 won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. - Also in July, the New Orleans Spirits Competition hosted by Tales of the Cocktail named Batch 22 Specialty Spirit of the Year. - Co-founder Matthew Arkin said the awards show aquavit can reach a much broader audience.

The details: - Batch 22 is a California-based American aquavit brand founded by Matthew Arkin and Bruce Glassman. - The spirit is distilled from corn and features notes of caraway, dill and citrus. - Batch 22 describes the product as smooth, balanced and approachable. - The brand is expanding distribution in California and other states. - Batch 22 also ships directly to consumers nationwide through its website. - The company’s media contact is Bruce Glassman, co-founder, at Bruce@Batch22.com or 858-386-3163. - Batch 22 also shared social links for Instagram and Facebook.

Between the lines: - Batch 22 is trying to position aquavit less as a heritage curiosity and more as a flexible modern spirit. - The company’s message matches broader market shifts toward new flavor profiles and away from some familiar base spirits. - The release cites DISCUS and Beverage Information Group data showing spirits have gained 13 points in market share since 2000 and now hold 42.4%, ahead of beer at 41.8% and wine at 15.7%. - The release also cites Food & Wine spirits journalist Rich Manning, who says aquavit is gaining traction with American bartenders and drinkers and could grow faster than gin globally over the next decade. - Manning’s research projects a 4.7% compound annual growth rate for the global aquavit market over the next decade, compared with 3.8% for gin.

What's next: - Batch 22 is continuing to expand distribution beyond California. - The brand is likely to lean on the recent awards as it pushes aquavit into more cocktail programs and retail shelves. - Continued consumer interest in savory, distinctive spirits could help shape the category’s U.S. growth.

The bottom line: - Batch 22 is using a rare three-award run to make a bigger case for aquavit in the American spirits market.