Austin 121 light whiskey wins two top honors in 2026 competition

Austin Craft Spirits Company’s Austin 121 Cask Strength Single Barrel Light Whiskey took first place as Best American Light Whiskey and Best Texas Whiskey at the 2026 International Whisky Competition. The dual wins add to the Austin distillery’s growing list of awards and reinforce Texas light whiskey as a category gaining national attention.

Why it matters: - Austin 121’s dual first-place finishes give Austin Craft Spirits Company a national boost in a whisky category where blind judging and technical quality carry weight. - The awards strengthen the company’s position in Texas light whiskey, a niche that is drawing more attention from judges, retailers and whiskey fans. - The recognition adds momentum to a portfolio that has already collected awards across multiple expressions.

What happened: - Austin Craft Spirits Company announced that Austin 121 Cask Strength Single Barrel Light Whiskey won first place in two categories at the 2026 International Whisky Competition. - The whiskey was named Best American Light Whiskey and Best Texas Whiskey. - Austin 121 scored 91.33 points in the competition. - The competition is a whisky-only judging event and is considered one of the world’s leading events in the category.

The details: - The International Whisky Competition uses blind judging by experienced whiskey professionals. - Judges evaluate aroma, taste, balance, complexity, finish and overall quality. - Austin 121 starts as a selected barrel of Austin 101 Light Whiskey. - Only barrels with exceptional character are aged for at least two Texas summers before bottling. - Austin 121 is released at full cask strength as a single barrel whiskey. - Each bottle carries its own barrel proof, typically between 130 and 136 proof. - The whiskey is made from 100% Texas grains. - Austin Craft Spirits Company steam distills the spirit to a higher proof in a custom column still. - Flavor notes include butterscotch, vanilla, spice and subtle mineral notes. - Austin 121 is bottled directly from the barrel without dilution. - The whiskey is an allocated product but is often available through select Texas retailers and online in select states.

Between the lines: - The win highlights how a local identity can matter in premium whiskey, especially when the product is built around Texas grains and Texas aging conditions. - Blind competition results can help a smaller distillery stand out against larger national brands because judges focus on the glass, not the label. - Tom Buchsbaum, co-founder of Austin Craft Spirits Company, said the recognition reflects the team’s goal of making a whiskey with bold character, smoothness and a sense of place.

What's next: - Austin Craft Spirits Company is likely to lean on the new awards in retail, online and distributor conversations as it pushes its light whiskey lineup. - The company’s broader portfolio, including Austin 85, Austin 101 and Austin 111, now has another high-profile result to support its brand story. - More award consideration may follow as the company continues submitting expressions to spirits competitions.

The bottom line: - Austin 121 now has two top international titles to back up its premium positioning, and the win further cements Austin Craft Spirits Company as a notable player in Texas-made light whiskey. - More information is available at austinlightwhiskey.com.