Photo courtesy of KO Distilling
Founders Bill Karlson, left, and John O'Mara, right, of KO Distilling in Manassas display their award-winning, Virginia-made spirits. Photo courtesy of KO Distilling.
The Virginia Distillers Association, in partnership with the Virginia Spirits Board, recently announced the winners of the First Landing Cup competition for Virginia-made spirits, with a Prince William County distillery taking top honors.
In its second year, the competition drew 104 entries across multiple categories for products made in Virginia, including whiskey, gin, rum, vodka, and liqueur as well as agave spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails.
The entries were judged by a panel of 21 nationally recognized spirits experts, using a 100-point scale to evaluate each entry.
Honoring Innovative Spirits Rooted in Virginia History
Topping the competition was KO Distilling of Manassas, for its Bare Knuckle Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey, which earned Best in Show honors as the highest-scoring spirit across all categories. The whiskey is made from 100% rye, sourced from local Virginia farms.
Photo courtesy of the Virginia Spirits Board
KO Distilling took home Best in Show honors as well as several other awards in the 2026 First Landing Cup competition.
“Since we opened our doors, 11 years ago, we have focused on producing quality artisan spirits that express the terroir of Virginia and showcase the skills of our team,” said Bill Karlson, co-founder of KO Distilling, which also won Best in Class for gin. “We are honored by these accolades and look forward to raising a glass of the best that Virginia has to offer with our team and our customers.”
Six other Virginia distilleries earned Best in Class designations in their respective categories. Overall, the judges awarded 17 gold, 45 silver, and 13 bronze medals overall.
The First Landing Cup celebrates Virginia-made spirits that exemplify excellence in craftsmanship, innovation, and quality. The award is named after the historic first landing at Cape Henry by English colonists in 1607, which led to the establishment of Jamestown and the birth of American distilling.
“The First Landing Cup is an amazing opportunity to celebrate Virginia’s best distilleries and the innovative spirits they’re producing, and once again they have shown us what makes Virginia a craft spirits powerhouse,” said Becky Harris, president of the Virginia Distillers Association, who added that they are excited to share “the best of the Commonwealth with spirits lovers across the state and beyond.”
Photo courtesy of the Virginia Spirits Board
The 2026 First Landing Cup competition honored the best of Virginia-made spirits, with a Northern Virginia distillery taking top honors. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Spirits Board.
First Landing Cup 2026 Best in Class Winners
Best in Class Whiskey and Best in Show: KO Distilling, Bare Knuckle Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey
Best in Class Gin: KO Distilling, Battle Standard 142 Navy Strength Gin
Best in Class Rum: Virago Spirits, 151 “High Proof” Rum
Best in Class Liqueur: Copper Fox Distillery, Amaro y Arroyo
Best in Class Vodka: KP Spirits, Luna Vodka
Best in Class Agave Spirit: Old House Vineyards, Three Birds
Best in Class Ready-to-Drink: Coastal Cocktails by Tarnished Truth Distilling Co., Orange Crush
First Landing Cup 2026 Best in Category Winners
Best Flavored Rum: Sandy River Distillery, Banana Vanilla Rum
Best American Single Malt: Copper Fox Distillery, Peachwood Single Malt Whisky
Best Bourbon: KO Distilling, Distiller’s Reserve Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon
Best Wheat Whiskey: KO Distilling, Bare Knuckle Cask Strength Straight Wheat Whiskey
Best Other American Whiskey: Belmont Farm Distillery, Virginia Lightning Corn Whiskey
First Landing Cup 2026 Gold Medal Winners
Old House Vineyards, Three Birds
KO Distilling, Battle Standard 142 Navy Strength Gin
Virago Spirits, Modern Gin with Oolong Tea
Tarnished Truth Distilling Co., Coastal Cocktails Orange Crush
KP Spirits, Luna Vodka
River City Distillery, WIN Vodka
Virginia Beach Distilling, Beach Vodka
KO Distilling, Bare Knuckle Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey
Virginia Distillery Co., VDC Cabernet Cask
Copper Fox Distillery, Copper Fox Peachwood Single Malt Whisky
Tarnished Truth Distillery Co., Discretion Honey Finished Bourbon
Reverend Spirits, Reverend Bourbon
KO Distilling, Distiller’s Reserve Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Ironclad Distillery, Virginia Distillery Co., Catoctin Creek Distillery, Reservoir Distillery, VA250 Four-Grain Whiskey
Winning Products Available at ABC Stores
Additional awards went to KP Spirits for Best New Spirit for its Luna Vodka, while the Raccoon’s Pick (for best value) was presented to:
Virginia Beach Distilling, Beach Vodka
Belmont Farm, Kopper Kettle Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey
KO Distilling, Battle Standard 142 Navy Strength Gin
The full list of all 2026 award winners is available here on the First Landing Cup website.
First Landing Cup winners will be featured by Virginia ABC in retail locations across the Commonwealth. You can find the winners here on the ABC website, along with other Virginia-made spirits and wines.
“Virginia's distillers produce spirits worthy of the world stage,” said Dale Farino, CEO of Virginia ABC. “Virginia ABC is proud to work closely with our Virginia distillers on the responsible production and sale of spirits.”
Photo courtesy of author
Jane Fullerton Lemons
Jane Fullerton Lemons is a Virginia-based writer and recovering Washington journalist focused on wine and travel. A 2026 fellow at the Wine Writers Symposium in Napa Valley, she shares stories of the people and places behind the bottles, while also helping American consumers understand agriculture and how it impacts their lives. You can follow her work here.
