Despite the unique challenges this year has thrown at us, MurLarkey Distilled Spirits has remained committed to producing top quality craft spirits for all to enjoy. And once again, our efforts have received recognition in local, national, and even international events.
Most recently, MurLarkey earned a pair of Best of Virginia honors from Virginia Living Magazine: Best Distillery and Best Craft Cocktails, winning the latter for the second year in a row.
“We are both humbled and honored winning this accolade two years in a row. I think it speaks to both the quality of our spirits and the amazing cocktails which can be made with them”, said Tom Murray, CEO of MurLarkey.
Savor Virginia readers also voiced their love for MurLarkey in May, awarding us five gold medals in their annual Reader’s Choice contest, including Best Distillery and Best Distillery Tour. Divine Clarity Vodka took home gold in the Best Vodka category, as did our Justice White Whiskey in Best Moonshine.
And top it off, our Master Distiller and Nose, George “Papi” Zwetkow, won a well-deserved gold medal as the Best Distiller in all of Virginia!
“It’s a great honor to be recognized for something that I have so much passion for,” said Papi. “I would also like to recognize and thank Kevin Szady, our Head Distiller, who puts his heart and soul into every batch we produce here at Murlarkey.”
For the fourth year in a row, MurLarkey received recognition in the American Distilling Institute Judging of Craft Spirits Awards. This year, our Coffee Whiskey earned Best of Category honors in the Flavored Whiskey category.
“We start with fresh roasted, locally sourced Arabica beans, and we produce it using a cold-brewing technique,” Papi said of the Coffee Whiskey. “It results in an amazingly flavorful, yet not overpowering whiskey, and I believe it will continue to be one of our flagship products as the company grows.”
Back in March, MurLarkey entered the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, which featured nearly 3,000 entries from all corners of the globe. Despite the odds, our Smokehouse Whiskey won a gold medal and Imagination Gin took home bronze in their respective categories. In 2018, MurLarkey took home a gold for its Divine Clarity Vodka. In fact, MurLarkey has earned international recognition in every year of its operation.
“The SFWSC is the pinnacle of the spirits world. For a craft distillery to take two gold medals in two completely different spirit categories in just two years is unheard of,” Murray said.
“Winning our first gold there in 2018 seemed almost surreal. To take home another gold this year for our Smokehouse and a bronze for our gin is an amazing honor. I give all the credit to our amazing distillation team: George ‘Papi’ Zwetkow and Kevin Szady.”
Thank you to everyone who has supported MurLarkey over the years and continues to support us to this day! We could do none of this without our loyal fans. All of our award-winning spirits are available for Virginia residents to purchase on our online shop, or visit our Craft Cocktail Garden this weekend and say hi!
For a complete list of awards won by MurLarkey Distilled Spirits, click here.