Leavenworth’s Blue Spirits Distilling earns top honors at national competition

Blue Spirits Distilling sits right at the entrance to Leavenworth, just past where Highway 2 meets the Chumstick Highway.

ANDREW SIMPSON/WARD MEDIA

The Blue Spirits Tasting Room is open daily at noon until 6 p.m. Sun–Thu and until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

ANDREW SIMPSON/WARD MEDIA

Blue Spirits’ Espresso Vodka and Pickle Vodka stunned the judges at the New Orleans Spirits Competition.

COURTESY OF BLUE SPIRITS DISTILLING

Posted Tuesday, August 12, 2025 5:53 pm

By ANDREW SIMPSON
Ward Media Staff Reporter

LEAVENWORTH — Blue Spirits Distilling has brought home national recognition after a strong showing at the 2025 New Orleans Spirits Competition, hosted by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. The event draws entries from around the world and is judged by a panel of industry experts.

The Leavenworth-based distillery’s Espresso Flavored Vodka was named Best of Category, earning the highest rating in its class. The same spirit, along with Blue Spirits’ Pickle Flavored Vodka, also claimed gold medals — a mark of excellence in the craft spirits world.

The Espresso Flavored Vodka is described as rich and velvety, with deep-roasted coffee notes that strike a balance between boldness and smoothness. The Pickle Flavored Vodka offers a tangy, briny profile that has proven a hit in Bloody Marys, martinis with a twist, or served ice cold.

Company representatives said the awards highlight Blue Spirits’ dedication to creativity and quality in craft distilling. The distillery’s vodkas can be found at its Leavenworth location, online, at select retailers, and through wholesale distributors.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media