Raising a Glass to Farmers: IL Corn Sponsors 2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition

The fifth biennial judging expands the Farmer-Distiller Awards Program

IL Corn helps to sustain the most prestigious craft whiskey competition in the country. The Heartland Whiskey Competition is a judged, biennial competition overseen by the American Craft Spirits Association. Corn association sponsorship creates a one-of-a-kind opportunity for small distilleries – most all family businesses – to compete with one another and earn medals that are essential to marketing their businesses.

The competition includes a program for Farmer-Distillers, distilleries whose owner(s) operates a working corn farm. Farmer-Distiller will be expanded to three awards in 2025. The Top Farmer-Distiller trophy will be awarded to the entry with the top average score over three qualifying spirits. This is arguably the most difficult award to win in the entire competition and the trophy will go to a farmer.

In addition, awards will be given for single Farmer-Distiller spirit : one for the top scoring farmer-distilled bourbon; and another for the top scoring farmer-distilled whiskey in all other non-bourbon categories (“Beyond Bourbon”). Along with the Top Farmer-Distiller award, these spirits will celebrate the finest craft whiskey made by America’s corn farmers.

Any craft whiskey made with corn in the U.S. can be entered to compete for medals in relevant whiskey categories. Entries made in states sponsored by the marketing arms of corn associations also compete for Best-of-State and entry period starts April 14. 

2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition winners will be announced late August/early September. Check out the winners from the last competition.

Morning Ag Clips is the official ag media sponsor of the 2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition.