Fort Worth-based whiskey distillery, Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co. took home a “Best American Craft Whiskey” award for its TX Blended Whiskey, along with a “Double Gold” award. Â
“We’ve been very fortunate to gain an amazing response to the whiskey throughout Texas,” said co-founder Leonard Firestone in a news release. “But to receive these awards from a world renowned competition is unexpected, humbling and incredibly exciting for our young Texas distillery. We couldn’t be more proud and thankful.” Â
This spirits competition is the largest in the U.S., as well as the most recognized in the world. Often an indicator of trends in the marketplace, the competition is considered to be the rite of passage for top quality spirits. The spirits were judged by 34 international spirits experts at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco from March 21-24 to judge the 13th Annual World Spirits Competition. Distillers and importers submitted 1,407 spirits from 63 countries into 85 different classifications. Â
“In the two years leading up to the debut of TX, we worked hard to create a unique taste profile in an almost forgotten category,” said Troy Robertson, the other founder of the distillery. “Our decision and effort was certainly not without risk. It’s extremely gratifying to see that the esteemed judges of the competition have validated our instinct and hard work.”
Leonard and Troy are also crafting a straight bourbon whiskey that is produced with indigenous Texas ingredients and resources, which is currently in the aging process.