Hilton Head Distillery wins three medals at ADI spirits competition

Hilton Head Distillery earned two silver medals and one bronze at the 2026 ADI International Spirits Competition, a blind tasting judged on aroma, flavor, balance and overall quality. The win lands as the Hilton Head Island distillery nears its 10th anniversary this September and looks to build on its rum program.

Why it matters: - Hilton Head Distillery’s medals recognize three separate rum expressions, signaling consistency across the distillery’s core lineup rather than a one-off hit. - The awards arrive during a milestone year for Hilton Head Island’s first and only distillery, adding momentum ahead of its 10-year anniversary celebration in September. - The recognition can help reinforce the distillery’s position with visitors looking for locally made spirits, tours and tastings.

What happened: - Hilton Head Distillery earned three medals at the 2026 American Distilling Institute International Spirits Competition. - The distillery won two Silver Medals and one Bronze Medal in the blind tasting competition. - The medals went to Spiced Rum, Espresso Roast Rum and Platinum Rum. - The ADI competition is hosted annually by the American Distilling Institute and draws craft distilleries from across the U.S. and around the world.

The details: - Every spirit in the ADI competition is judged blind. - Judges evaluate aroma, flavor, balance and overall quality. - The distillery said the result reflects work over the past year to refine recipes, strengthen production methods and improve consistency across the rum lineup. - Master Distiller Cody Chinn and Assistant Distiller Will Celi led that work. - Chinn said every entry medaled this year and the distillery plans to enter again next year. - Chinn also said Hilton Head Distillery plans to add the ACSA competition and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition to its lineup. - Hilton Head Distillery opened in 2016. - The company has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors since opening. - The distillery says it has built its brand around handcrafted spirits, educational experiences and Lowcountry hospitality.

Between the lines: - Medals across three rum styles suggest the distillery is trying to show depth, not just a single standout bottle. - Chinn’s comments point to a broader push for third-party validation in top-tier spirits competitions. - The award timing may also help support traffic to tastings, classes and private events as the anniversary year approaches.

What’s next: - Hilton Head Distillery will celebrate its 10th anniversary in September. - Visitors can sample the award-winning rums on guided tours and tastings Monday through Saturday at 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. - The distillery offers weekly cocktail classes every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. - Tour, tasting and class bookings are available through experiences. - Private event information is available through private events. - Award-winning spirits are sold at 14 Cardinal Road, Hilton Head Island, SC, Monday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and online through the shop.

The bottom line: - Hilton Head Distillery used a respected blind competition to turn a milestone year into a proof point for its rum program.