American Craft Spirits Association Announces 2021 Heartland Whiskey Competition Medalists

ACSA announced the medalists of the 2021 Heartland Whiskey Competition. Competitors were required to incorporate corn in their list of grains used to make their mash. Submissions were welcome from all 50 states, with all entries competing in their select whiskey sub-categories, but whiskeys from the 17 “Heartland” states competed for the prestigious Best of Show and Best in State awards.

The Best in State award for Illinois went to JK Williams Distilling, of Peoria, for their JK Williams Gold Zephyr Bourbon.

Best of Show was captured by Weldon Mills Distillery from Weldon, North Carolina, for its Rockfish Whiskey.

“The state corn marketing associations have supported ACSA and its members to help promote craft whiskey through this important competition,” stated Margie A.S. Lehrman, CEO of ACSA. “We greatly appreciate their continued support and the fact they supply our members with the best corn product in the world.”

“It is important to recognize that craft distillers, an industry that relies on the corn we grow, have sustained their businesses through trying times and continue to improve an already excellent product,” stated Mark Wilson Chairman of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board. “Corn growers throughout the heartland, through their participating corn associations, support these entrepreneurs, many of whom are working farmers and all of whom are customers of ours.”

For the full list of medalists visit: