A Northern Kentucky distillery earned major honors on the world stage this year.Wenzel Distillery in Covington earned five medals at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, including back-to-back double-golds.The double-gold is handed out when all judges agree that a particular bottle deserves a gold medal rating.The company’s double oaked bourbon and sherry cask finished Bourbon each received a double-gold medal, with a nearly perfect score of 99. Wenzel’s toasted oak bourbon also earned double gold, with a score of 97. “Following 2025’s Best in Class American Rye Whiskey, we can’t explain just how excited we are to share this news,” Wenzel Distillery said in a post to social media.

COVINGTON, Ky. —

A Northern Kentucky distillery earned major honors on the world stage this year.

Wenzel Distillery in Covington earned five medals at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, including back-to-back double-golds.

The double-gold is handed out when all judges agree that a particular bottle deserves a gold medal rating.

The company’s double oaked bourbon and sherry cask finished Bourbon each received a double-gold medal, with a nearly perfect score of 99.

Wenzel’s toasted oak bourbon also earned double gold, with a score of 97.

“Following 2025’s Best in Class American Rye Whiskey, we can’t explain just how excited we are to share this news,” Wenzel Distillery said in a post to social media.